Kenya eTA eligibility: what the checker evaluates
Kenya's Directorate of Immigration Services currently publishes three major ordinary-passport nationality exemption groups: East African Partner State citizens for stays not exceeding 180 days, a published group of nationalities for up to 90 days, and a separate African-country group for up to 60 days. Travellers outside those groups normally require eTA unless another status-based exemption applies.
Up to 180 days
Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Up to 90 days
Includes Botswana, Ghana, Singapore, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and others.
Up to 60 days
Includes Algeria, Angola, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, Tunisia and others.
eTA normally required
Unless a permit, re-entry, transit or another exemption applies.
Application process when the checker shows “eTA required”
Confirm eligibility
Review your nationality, passport type and any permit or transit exemption before applying.
Prepare documents
Collect your passport, photo, itinerary, accommodation confirmation and contact details.
Complete the application
Enter names, dates and passport details exactly as shown in the travel document.
Add purpose-specific evidence
Business, family, conference, medical and other trips can require additional documents.
Pay the applicable fee
Kenya's Standard eTA base fee is currently US$30 excluding payment charges.
Track the application
Processing is usually about three business days, but Kenya recommends applying around two weeks before travel.
Documents required for eligible Kenya eTA applicants
6+ months after planned arrival
Kenya also requires at least one blank passport page.
Selfie or passport-type photograph
Use a recent, clear image suitable for identity verification.
Email + telephone
Use details you can access during processing and travel.
Arrival + departure
Prepare your current flight, land or sea itinerary.
Hotel, lodge or host
Bookings should align with the intended itinerary.
Supported payment method
Credit card, debit card or another method accepted by the official system.
Additional documents by travel purpose
Company invitation + registration
Kenya currently lists both as business supporting documents.
Invitation + host ID/status
Host identity or immigration-status evidence can be required.
Official passport + official letter
Specific exemption or no-fee rules may apply; verify the exact category.
Current Kenya eTA fees
Transit eTA
US$20For travellers who require transit authorization.
Standard eTA
US$30Current base government fee for one entry.
One-Year Multi-Entry
US$300For eligible travellers requiring repeated entry.
Five-Year Multi-Entry
US$185Currently listed for American nationals.
Other exemptions the nationality checker cannot fully determine
- Holders of Kenya Permanent Residence.
- Holders of valid Kenya Work Permits and Passes.
- Passports carrying a valid Kenya re-entry pass or accepted written re-entry authority.
- Passengers transferring through Kenya without leaving airport precincts.
- Passengers arriving and leaving by the same ship without leaving the vessel.
- Specified crew, diplomatic, official, service-passport and international-organisation categories.
Processing, validity and entry
| Question | Current guidance |
|---|---|
| Normal processing | Usually about 3 business days, although some applications take longer. |
| When to apply | Kenya recommends applying about 2 weeks before travel where possible. |
| Travel-use validity | Use the issued eTA for travel within 90 days of issuance. |
| Duration of stay | Determined at the point of entry; the 90-day travel-use window is not an automatic 90-day stay. |
| Final admission | An approved eTA is permission to travel, not a guarantee of entry. |
Need help understanding your result?
If your passport type, nationality, residence status, transit plan or purpose does not fit neatly into the checker, contact our team before submitting an application. We can help explain the published requirements and prepare your application documents.
Official sources and independent-service disclosure
KE-Visa is an independent travel-document assistance service and is not affiliated with the Government of Kenya. The checker is based on current published Kenya immigration/eTA rules. The Government of Kenya controls official eligibility, approval, entry and permitted stay.