Kenya visa requirements changed in January 2024, when the traditional visa was replaced by an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). That shift still confuses travellers relying on older guides that mention visa stickers or visa-on-arrival. The actual process today is simpler than either, entirely online, and usually clears in about three working days.
Since October 2026 there is one more step: most visitors must also buy Kenya’s mandatory travel health insurance, usually during the eTA application. Sense of Adventure walks every guest through these Kenya visa requirements as part of standard trip planning, and this page reflects the rules as they stand in late 2026. Always confirm your own case on the official portal before you apply.
✅ Kenya Visa Requirements: The Quick Answer
- Most visitors: need an approved eTA before travel, including children and infants, each with their own application.
- Where: only on the official portal, etakenya.go.ke; fee USD 30, non-refundable.
- How long: about three working days; apply at least two weeks before you fly.
- Exempt: EAC citizens (up to 180 days) and most other African nationals (up to two months), except Somalia and Libya.
- Also needed: Kenya’s mandatory travel health insurance, USD 44 per traveller, for most arrivals from 5 October 2026.
- Passport: valid at least six months beyond arrival, with a blank page.
Unsure whether your passport needs an eTA?
Tell us each traveller’s nationality and we will confirm the eTA and insurance steps before you apply.
How the Kenya eTA Actually Works
Nearly all visitors, including infants, need an approved eTA before travel. You apply at the official Kenya eTA portal and pay a USD 30 non-refundable fee. Processing typically takes about three working days, but applying at least two weeks ahead leaves a buffer.
The eTA is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, which means you must arrive within that window. The length of your actual stay is decided by the immigration officer at the point of entry, not fixed by the eTA itself.
East African Community citizens are exempt for stays up to 180 days. Citizens of most other African countries are visa-free for stays up to two months, with Somalia and Libya as notable exceptions still needing an eTA. Diplomats travelling on official duty are separately exempt. Because Kenya visa requirements differ by nationality, check your own case on the portal rather than relying on a friend’s experience with a different passport.
The Kenya eTA Process, Step by Step
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 enter visa-free for up to two months — Somalia and Libya remain exceptions. 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 arrival with a blank page, a recent passport-style photo, your travel itinerary, accommodation confirmation, and a card for the USD 30 fee. Your safari confirmation from us lists every night’s accommodation.
Apply Online at etakenya.go.ke — the only official application channel
Submit your application through the official government portal at least two weeks before travel. Be wary of third-party sites charging inflated “service fees” for what is a straightforward direct government application.
Buy the Mandatory Travel Insurance — the new step since October 2026
Non-exempt visitors arriving from 5 October 2026 must hold Kenya’s travel health policy, USD 44 per traveller, usually bought inside the eTA application. If you already hold an approved eTA, buy it separately on eCitizen; your eTA stays valid. See our Kenya mandatory travel insurance guide.
Wait for Processing — typically around 3 working days
Standard processing takes roughly three working days, though this can vary. Applying with a buffer of at least two weeks 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 permitted length of stay is decided separately 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 and insurance proof. Airlines typically check these before boarding, and immigration officers will want to see them again on arrival.
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 because of a document mismatch or an incomplete form. Reapplying with corrected documents is straightforward, but only if you have left enough time before travel.
Leaving and Re-Entering Kenya — check before a side trip
If your trip leaves Kenya and comes back, for example a Zanzibar or Rwanda extension, check on the official portal whether your eTA covers the re-entry or whether you need a new one. We confirm this for your exact route in writing. The Kenyan insurance policy itself allows multiple entries within 90 days.
Third-Party Sites vs the Official Portal — protecting yourself from inflated fees
Search results for “Kenya eTA” often surface agencies charging well above the official USD 30 fee for the same application. Bookmark etakenya.go.ke before you start, rather than clicking the first paid result you see.
Want a Second Check Before You Submit?
Send us the names exactly as they appear in your passports and your arrival flight, and we will check they match your safari booking.
Check My Booking Details Call +254 799 160 081Kenya Visa Requirements by Traveller Type
This table summarises how the main Kenya visa requirements apply to common travellers. It is a planning guide, not a legal ruling, so confirm your case on the portal.
| Traveller | eTA? | Kenyan insurance? |
|---|---|---|
| UK, US, EU, Australian and Indian passport holders | Yes | Yes, USD 44 each |
| EAC citizens | No (up to 180 days) | No |
| Most other African nationals | No (up to two months) | Yes, unless otherwise exempt |
| Somalia and Libya passport holders | Yes | Yes |
| Children and infants of non-exempt nationalities | Yes, own application | Yes, own policy |
| Airside transit at JKIA, not passing immigration | No | No |
Kenya visa requirements for transit and layovers
If you connect at Nairobi’s JKIA on one ticket and stay airside, you need neither an eTA nor the Kenyan policy. If you leave the airport for a game drive, a hotel night, or to re-check bags on separate tickets, you pass immigration and need both. Our Nairobi National Park game drive guide shows what a short layover safari involves.
Kenya visa requirements for children
Every child, including babies, needs their own eTA application and, for non-exempt nationalities, their own Kenyan insurance policy. Travel with copies of birth certificates if surnames differ from a parent’s, and a consent letter if a child travels with only one parent, as airlines and immigration officers may ask.
Kenya visa requirements for multi-country safaris
Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda and Rwanda each have their own entry rules and, in some cases, their own insurance schemes. The Kenyan policy does not satisfy Tanzania’s rules, and Tanzania’s does not satisfy Kenya’s. Arriving from Kenya can also trigger yellow fever checks, explained in our yellow fever certificate guide.
When to Apply: A Simple Timeline
- When you book: check passport validity and blank pages for every traveller. Renewing a passport takes far longer than an eTA.
- Once flights and safari are confirmed: you have the arrival date and accommodation details the form asks for.
- At least two weeks before departure: apply for the eTA and buy the Kenyan insurance policy.
- One week before: if you have not received approval, contact the portal’s support and tell us.
- Before you leave home: print the eTA and insurance proof and save copies on your phone.
Dates Fixed? Get the Itinerary Your Application Needs
Apply for the eTA once your safari and flights are confirmed. We send a written itinerary and accommodation list you can use in the application.
Get My Written ItineraryWhat Happens at Immigration in Nairobi
On arrival at JKIA, have these ready in your hand luggage:
- Your passport, valid at least six months, with a blank page.
- Your approved eTA, if your nationality needs one.
- Proof of the Kenyan travel health policy: the electronic policy or reference number.
- Your return or onward ticket and safari confirmation.
- A yellow fever certificate if you arrive from, or had a long transit in, a risk country.
Officers may ask the purpose of your trip and where you are staying. Our driver-guide meets you in the arrivals hall once you clear immigration and customs. For wider safety and entry updates, read the GOV.UK Kenya entry requirements page or your own government’s advice.
Common eTA Mistakes That Delay Approval
- Name mismatches: the name on the form must match the passport exactly, including middle names.
- Poor photos: a blurred or shadowed photo can trigger extra review.
- Wrong passport number: using an old passport’s number is a common error after renewal.
- Unofficial websites: paying an agency does not speed up the government process.
- Forgetting the insurance step: since October 2026, airlines may refuse boarding without proof of the Kenyan policy.
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 two weeks before travel.
- Validity: the eTA is valid 90 days from issue — you must arrive within that window.
- Travel health insurance: from 5 October 2026, most visitors also buy Kenya’s mandatory travel insurance during the eTA application, at USD 44 per traveller, each child included. A home policy cannot be uploaded or used instead.
- EAC exemption: East African Community citizens 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 planning sequence, and our Kenya travel guide covers currency, connectivity and health beyond the eTA itself.
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. Approval typically takes about three working days and stays valid for 90 days from issue. Most visitors must also buy Kenya’s USD 44 mandatory travel health insurance.
How much does the Kenya eTA cost?
The Kenya eTA costs USD 30, a non-refundable fee paid during the online application on the official portal. It replaced Kenya’s traditional visa system in January 2024. Third-party agencies may charge more for the same application, so apply directly at etakenya.go.ke.
How long does the Kenya eTA take to process?
The Kenya eTA typically takes about three working days to process. Apply at least two weeks before travel to leave a buffer in case your application is flagged for review or needs correcting, and buy the mandatory travel insurance at the same time.
Who is exempt from the Kenya eTA requirement?
East African Community citizens 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. Airside transit passengers who do not pass immigration at JKIA also do not need an eTA.
Do children need a Kenya eTA?
Yes. All visitors of non-exempt nationalities, including infants, need their own individual eTA application before travelling to Kenya. Each child also needs their own Kenyan travel health insurance policy, as there are no family or group policies.
Is travel insurance part of Kenya visa requirements now?
Yes, for most visitors. For arrivals from 5 October 2026, non-exempt travellers must hold Kenya’s mandatory travel health policy, costing USD 44 each and usually bought during the eTA application. A policy from your home country cannot be used instead, though you should keep it for wider cover.
Do I need an eTA for a layover in Nairobi?
Not if you stay airside at JKIA on a connecting ticket. If you pass immigration to leave the airport, stay overnight, take a game drive or re-check bags on separate tickets, you need an eTA if your nationality requires one, plus the Kenyan travel health policy.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Kenya?
No. Kenya no longer issues visas on arrival for eTA nationalities. You must hold an approved eTA before you board, and airlines check it at departure. Apply on the official portal at least two weeks before travel so there is time to fix any problems.
Kenya Entry Paperwork, Handled Calmly
When you book with us, we send the eTA and insurance steps for each passport in writing, re-check the rules before you fly and meet you at the airport.
Ask an Entry Question Email Our Visa DeskCall or WhatsApp +254 799 160 081 · reservations@senseofadventure.co.ke
