Kenya visa requirements changed in 2024, when the traditional visa was replaced by an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) — a shift that still confuses travellers relying on older guides that mention visa stickers or visa-on-arrival. The actual process today is simpler than either of those, entirely online, and clears in about three working days for most applicants. Picture applying from your sofa a week before departure and having approval sitting in your inbox before you’ve even finished packing. Sense of Adventure walks every guest through exactly this process as part of standard trip planning, and this page reflects the current 2026 rules rather than the older visa system some guests still remember from previous trips.
We’ll Confirm Your Requirements Directly
Tell us your nationality and travel dates — we will confirm exactly what you need before you apply.
How the Kenya eTA Actually Works
Nearly all visitors, including infants, need an approved eTA before travel, applied for at www.etakenya.go.ke for a USD 30 non-refundable fee. Processing typically takes about three working days, though applying at least a week ahead is recommended to leave a buffer. The eTA itself is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, and the length of your actual stay is determined at the point of entry rather than fixed by the eTA itself. East African Community citizens (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DR Congo) are exempt for stays up to 180 days, and citizens of most other African countries are now visa-free for stays up to two months, with Somalia and Libya as notable exceptions still requiring an eTA. Diplomats travelling on official duty are separately exempt. Because the rules genuinely differ by nationality and the eTA system is still relatively new, it is worth double-checking your specific case on the official government portal rather than assuming a friend’s recent experience with a different passport applies equally to yours.
I still had it in my head that Kenya needed a visa stamp at the embassy like it used to years ago. Sense of Adventure told me it was all online now — I applied on a Tuesday evening and had my approval by Thursday afternoon. Genuinely the easiest part of the whole trip to arrange.
— Sense of Adventure guest, first Kenya visit
The 6-Step Kenya eTA Process
Confirm You Actually Need One — exemptions are broader than most travellers assume
East African Community citizens are exempt for up to 180 days, and citizens of most African countries can now enter visa-free for stays up to two months — Somalia and Libya remain exceptions that still require an eTA. Everyone else, including infants, needs an approved eTA before travel.
Gather Your Documents — passport, photo, itinerary, accommodation
You will need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date with a blank page, a recent passport-style photo on a white background, your travel itinerary, accommodation confirmation, and a valid payment method for the USD 30 fee.
Apply Online at etakenya.go.ke — the only official application channel
Submit your application through the official government portal at least a week before travel. Be wary of third-party sites charging inflated “service fees” for what is a straightforward direct government application.
Wait for Processing — typically around 3 working days
Standard processing takes roughly three working days, though this can vary by nationality and eTA type. Applying with a buffer of at least a week avoids any risk of a delay affecting your travel plans.
Understand Your Validity Window — 90 days to travel, not 90 days to stay
Your approved eTA is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, meaning you must arrive in Kenya within that window. Your actual permitted length of stay is separately determined at the immigration desk when you arrive.
Carry a Printed or Digital Copy — have it ready at check-in and immigration
Keep both a digital and printed copy of your approved eTA accessible — airlines typically check this before boarding, and immigration officials will want to see it again on arrival, so having it readily available saves time at both checkpoints.
Know What to Do If It’s Declined — rare, but worth understanding in advance
A small share of applications are declined or flagged for extra review, usually due to a document mismatch or an incomplete form rather than eligibility itself. Reapplying with corrected documents is straightforward, but only if you have left enough buffer before travel — another reason to apply a full week or more ahead rather than days before your flight.
Multiple Entries and Return Visits — a separate eTA type for repeat travellers
Travellers planning more than one Kenya visit within a few years, or a trip that briefly exits and re-enters (a side trip to Tanzania or Zanzibar, for example), should check the multiple-entry eTA option, valid for up to 5 years, rather than assuming a standard single-entry approval covers a full multi-country itinerary.
Third-Party Sites vs the Official Portal — protecting yourself from inflated fees
Search results for “Kenya eTA” often surface third-party agencies charging well above the official USD 30 fee for the same government application. Applying directly at etakenya.go.ke avoids this markup entirely — bookmark the official domain before you start searching, rather than clicking the first paid result you see.
Get Your Paperwork Sorted Early
Apply for your eTA with confidence — message us if anything about the process is unclear.
Kenya Visa Requirements Facts
- System: Kenya replaced its traditional visa with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) in January 2024.
- Fee: USD 30, non-refundable, paid online during the application.
- Processing time: typically around 3 working days; apply at least a week before travel.
- Validity: the eTA is valid 90 days from issue — you must arrive within that window.
- EAC exemption: citizens of Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and DR Congo are exempt for stays up to 180 days.
- African exemption: most other African nationalities are visa-free for up to 2 months; Somalia and Libya remain exceptions requiring an eTA.
Visa Requirements as Part of Your Checklist
This is one item on our full Kenya safari checklist, alongside vaccination requirements and travel insurance — all three should be sorted in the same pre-trip planning session. Our first-time visitor guide covers where this fits into the wider trip planning sequence, and our existing Kenya travel guide is worth reading alongside this page for the broader currency and health picture beyond the eTA process itself.
One Less Thing to Worry About
We’ll help make sure your eTA application goes smoothly — message us with any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to enter Kenya?
Most visitors need a Kenya eTA rather than a traditional visa. Apply online at etakenya.go.ke for USD 30, with approval typically taking about three working days and remaining valid for 90 days from issue.
How much does the Kenya eTA cost?
The Kenya eTA costs USD 30, a non-refundable fee paid during the online application process. This replaced Kenya’s traditional visa system in January 2024.
How long does the Kenya eTA take to process?
The Kenya eTA typically takes about three working days to process, though it is recommended to apply at least a week before travel to allow a buffer in case of any delays.
Who is exempt from the Kenya eTA requirement?
East African Community citizens (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DR Congo) are exempt for stays up to 180 days, and citizens of most other African countries are visa-free for up to two months, except Somalia and Libya.
Do children need a Kenya eTA?
Yes — all visitors, including infants, require their own individual eTA application at full cost before travelling to Kenya, with no exemption based on age alone.
