Kenya Visa for US Citizens
US citizens need an ETA to travel to Kenya. It is applied for online and linked to your passport.
Kenya Visa — Key Facts for US Citizens
Kenya Visa Types for US Citizens
Transit eTA
✓ Most popularStandard eTA
OnlineOne Year Multi-Entry eTA
OnlineFive Year Multi-Entry eTA
OnlineKenya Visa for US Citizens — What You Need to Know
US citizens need a visa to visit Kenya. The most common option is the embassy visa, allowing stays of up to 3 days. The government fee is $20, with 3–5 day processing through PassportsAndVisas.com. Our specialists review every United States application before submission — catching photo errors, passport validity issues and data mismatches before they reach the government. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival date with 2 blank pages. In business since 1992, we have processed over 500,000 visa applications — including thousands for US passport holders.
Kenya Visa Policy for US Citizens
Kenya's visa policy for US citizens requires advance application before travel. The embassy visa process requires submission to the nearest Kenya consulate or embassy. The government fee of $20 is set by Kenya immigration authorities and is subject to change. PassportsAndVisas.com monitors policy updates daily and will notify you of any fee changes after your application is submitted.
US citizens should apply for their Kenya visa at least 8 days before departure to allow time for processing and any document corrections. Rush processing is available for travelers with imminent departure dates. The Transit eTA is single entry, valid for 3 days from issue, and the 3-day stay period begins on arrival.
Traveling to Kenya from United States — What to Know Before You Go
Planning a trip to Kenya from United States involves a few key logistics beyond the visa. Direct flights are available from major United States hubs to Kenya's main international airports, with flight times varying depending on your departure city. We recommend booking refundable tickets until your visa is approved — PassportsAndVisas.com's service fee is charged only after visa approval, so you are not committed financially before your visa is confirmed.
Passport preparation is the most important step. Your United States passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond your departure date from Kenya, and at least 2 blank pages for entry stamps. If your passport is expiring soon, PassportsAndVisas.com can expedite United States passport renewal — often faster than standard government processing times.
Once your Kenya visa is approved, you will receive a PDF confirmation by email. Print this document and carry it with your passport — some Kenya border officials require a physical copy, even for eVisas. Save a digital backup on your phone as well. Your visa details will also be linked to your passport number in Kenya's immigration database.
What US Citizens Need Before Applying
Applying for a Kenya visa as a US citizen through PassportsAndVisas.com takes 5–10 minutes online. You will need your United States passport (valid for 6+ months), a digital passport photo meeting Kenya's exact specifications, and your travel dates. Our system guides you through each field and flags potential errors before submission.
The most common reason US citizens face Kenya visa rejection is passport photo non-compliance. Kenya requires a white background, the size shown on the government portal dimensions, taken within the last 6 months, with no glasses. Our proprietary photo-check system automatically validates your photo against Kenya's requirements before we submit — catching the errors that cause the majority of preventable rejections.
After submission, your application is reviewed by a US-specialist on our team — someone familiar with the specific patterns that trigger scrutiny for United States passport holders. We submit to Kenya Immigration within 2 hours of receiving your complete file. You will receive email updates throughout the process, and your approved visa PDF will be delivered to your inbox — typically within 3–5 business days.
How US Citizens Get a Kenya Visa
Everything US Citizens Need to Know About Kenya Visas
All Kenya visa data for US passport holders is updated daily from official government sources.
Why US Citizens Get Kenya Visa Rejections — And How We Prevent It
Our document review catches these before submission. Rejected due to our error? We resubmit at no charge.
Kenya Visa: Expert Help vs Applying Directly
You can apply on the government portal for free. Here's why 500,000+ US travelers paid us instead.
Current Travel Advisories for US Citizens Visiting Kenya
Kenya Visa FAQ for US Citizens
PassportsAndVisas.com relies exclusively on official government sources for visa requirements. Our VIE Intelligence Engine cross-references multiple official sources daily.
- ▶Kenya Official Immigration Portal. (Web). Official government portal
- ▶U.S. Department of State — Kenya Travel Information. (Web). travel.state.gov
- ▶IATA Timatic — Visa & Health Requirements Database. (Web). iatatravelcentre.com
Kenya visa requirements for other passport holders
Visa eligibility, fees and available visa types vary by passport. Choose your nationality for Kenya visa requirements specific to you.
