How to Apply for Kenya’s eTA: Requirements and Exemptions
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For an ordinary visit to Kenya, check the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) rules rather than following the old eVisa instructions. Travellers who are not exempt must obtain an approved eTA before starting their journey.
An eTA is permission to travel; it does not guarantee entry or replace a work permit or other immigration permission required for your activities.
Check whether you need an eTA
Start with the exemption section of the official portal’s General Information page. It sets out exemptions under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules, 2025.
Examples include:
- Holders of Kenya permanent residence, valid work permits and passes.
- Travellers with valid Kenya re-entry passes or equivalent written authority.
- Citizens of the listed East African Partner States for stays not exceeding 180 days.
- Nationals of specified countries for stays of up to 90 days, and nationals of another listed group of African countries for up to 60 days.
- Qualifying airside transit passengers who do not leave the airport precincts.
Nationality, travel document, length of stay and immigration status matter. Do not assume that every African passport has the same exemption, or that every transit passenger is exempt. Check the current official list for your own circumstances rather than relying on the former visa-country categories.
Documents to prepare
The portal generally asks for:
- A passport valid for at least six months after your planned arrival, with at least one blank page.
- A selfie or passport-type photo.
- Your email address and telephone contact.
- Arrival and departure itinerary.
- Accommodation booking confirmation or relevant host information.
- A payment method accepted by the portal.
Extra documents depend on the visit. Business travellers may need an invitation and the inviting company’s registration document. Family visitors may need a host invitation and identity or immigration documents. Medical, conference and other travel can require supporting letters. Vaccination or test certificates may also be requested where applicable.
How to apply
- Go to the official Kenya eTA website.
- Review the current exemptions and choose the application relevant to your journey.
- Complete the form using details that match your passport and itinerary.
- Upload the requested documents and review every entry before submitting.
- Pay the displayed fee using an available checkout method. Keep the receipt and application reference.
- Monitor the email address used for the application and respond to any request for further information.
- Once approved, retain the authorisation in a form you can present when travelling, together with your passport and supporting documents.
A separate application is required for each traveller who needs an eTA, including children and infants. Do not carry over the old under-16 visa-fee waiver as a current eTA rule.
Fees and processing time
The official FAQs state that normal processing starts at USD 30. They list expedited processing at an additional USD 100. The amount depends on the application and service selected; check the final amount displayed before paying rather than assuming every traveller pays the same total.
Normal processing is usually around three working days, but it can take longer. The portal recommends applying at least two weeks before travel. Do not treat an advertised urgent option as a substitute for having approval before departure.
Validity and arrival
The official application guidance states that an eTA is valid for travel within 90 days of issuance. This is not the same as a guaranteed 90-day stay: the permitted duration of stay is determined at entry.
Warning: Use the official portal or its official Kenya Travel Authorisation app. An intermediary’s service fee is not necessarily a government charge.
For employment, check the separate Kenyan work permit requirements.
