Editorially reviewed 21 August 2026
Kenya no longer uses the old general eVisa model
The Kenya eTA is the current electronic pre-travel authorisation system administered by the
Directorate of Immigration Services. It is designed to determine whether a traveller is eligible to travel to Kenya.
An approved eTA gives permission to travel, but it is not the final authority to enter Kenya.
Admissibility is determined at the point of entry.
This distinction matters because older web pages still describe Kenya in terms of a general online eVisa,
visa-on-arrival rules or an automatic 90-day stay. Those descriptions are no longer a reliable way to explain the present system.
Use the passport you will actually travel with. Eligibility, exemptions and supporting-document requirements can depend on nationality, passport type, immigration status and travel purpose.
Core Kenya eTA requirements for all applicants
Before beginning an eTA application, the official Kenya portal instructs travellers to prepare the following baseline items.
01 · Passport
6+ months after planned arrival
Your passport should remain valid for at least six months after your intended arrival date in Kenya.
02 · Blank page
At least one blank page
The official application guidance requires at least one blank passport page.
03 · Traveller photo
Selfie or passport-type photo
Use a clear, recent image suitable for identity verification.
04 · Contact details
Email and phone number
Use contact information you can access during the application and travel period.
05 · Travel itinerary
Arrival and departure details
Provide the planned dates and transport information requested by the application.
06 · Accommodation
Booking confirmation
Prepare hotel, lodge or other accommodation evidence covering the intended visit.
07 · Payment
Supported payment method
The official portal accepts supported card or other payment methods for applicable fees.
08 · Purpose-specific evidence
May be required
Business, family, conference, medical, employment and diplomatic trips can require extra documents.
Additional requirements by purpose of travel
Kenya's official eTA guidance does not use one identical document list for every traveller.
Additional evidence may be required depending on why you are visiting.
Business travel
Company evidence
Invitation letter from the company plus a copy of the company's registration.
Family visit
Host evidence
Invitation letter and host ID, passport, Alien Card or Entry Permit.
Conference
Participation evidence
Conference invitation or participation letter.
Medical travel
Hospital/doctor evidence
Referral letter or appointment documentation from the relevant doctor or hospital.
Employment
Contract evidence
The official requirements list an employment contract among purpose-dependent supporting documents.
Diplomatic travel
Official documents
Diplomatic, Official or Service passport and an official letter from the relevant authority or organisation.
Vaccination or test-result certificates may also be requested depending on the circumstances of travel. Do not upload irrelevant health documents unless the official application or current entry rules require them.
How the application process works
1
Check whether you are exempt
Before paying for an application, check the current exemption rules for the passport and status you will actually use.
2
Collect the core documents
Passport, photo, contacts, itinerary, accommodation and payment method should be ready before starting.
3
Add purpose-specific evidence
Prepare invitations, company documents, medical letters or other evidence only where relevant.
4
Submit and keep the reference
Use the official government portal for direct filing or use independent assistance if you want help preparing the application.
5
Check status before travel
Do not assume submission means approval. Confirm the final status before starting your journey.
Kenya eTA official fee categories
The official eligibility page currently publishes the following base government fees.
Payment-related charges or private assistance fees can be separate.
Transit eTA
US$20
For eligible travellers transiting through Kenya.
Standard eTA
US$30
Allows entry into Kenya once.
One Year Multi-Entry eTA
US$300
For multiple entries during one year when the applicant meets the relevant criteria.
Five Year Multi-Entry eTA
US$185
The official eligibility page identifies this category for American nationals.
East African Tourist eTA: the current official eligibility page labels this category “COMING SOON.” It should not presently be advertised as a normally available alternative to Kenya eTA.
Processing time and the 90-day rule
| Question |
Current official guidance |
| How long does processing take? |
Usually about three working days, although some cases can take longer. |
| How early should I apply? |
The official general-information page recommends submitting at least two weeks before travel where possible. |
| What does “90 days” mean? |
The eTA is valid for travel within 90 days from the date of issuance. |
| Does that mean a 90-day stay? |
No. The permitted duration of stay is determined at the point of entry. |
This is an important correction to many older Kenya travel pages: eTA travel-use validity and authorised stay are not the same thing.
Kenya eTA exemptions: who may not need to apply?
The 2025 amended rules introduced a broader exemption structure. This means the accurate rule is not
“all foreign visitors must always obtain eTA.” The official list includes several categories.
- Holders of Kenya Permanent Residence, valid Work Permits and Passes.
- People whose passports carry valid Kenya re-entry permission or equivalent written authority.
- Citizens of East African Partner States — Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda — for stays not exceeding 180 days.
- Nationals of a published group of countries who are exempt for stays not exceeding 90 days.
- Nationals of a published group of African countries who are exempt for stays not exceeding 60 days.
- Transit passengers who do not leave the airport precincts under the circumstances specified by the official rules.
- Additional diplomatic, crew, laissez-passer and official-category exemptions listed by the Kenyan authorities.
Exemption lists can change. Use the official “How to Apply” / eligibility pages to check the current status of the passport you will actually travel with before submitting or paying.
Official exemption list: https://etakenya.go.ke/how-to-apply
Official eTA eligibility: https://etakenya.go.ke/eligibility
Before you submit: practical document-quality checklist
Passport scan/photo
Make sure the biographical page is sharp, complete and readable, with no glare covering the number or name.
Traveller photo
Use a recent, clear photo. Avoid filters, sunglasses, heavy shadows or cropped facial features.
Travel dates
Your arrival/departure dates should align with flight and accommodation evidence.
Host or company details
If your visit depends on an invitation, make sure the host/company documents are consistent with the details entered in the form.
Common mistakes that can delay a Kenya eTA application
- Typing a passport number incorrectly.
- Using a passport that does not meet the remaining-validity requirement.
- Uploading a blurred or cropped passport image.
- Entering flight dates that conflict with accommodation dates.
- Leaving out required invitation or business documents.
- Assuming you automatically receive 90 days of stay because the eTA must be used within 90 days.
- Submitting an application before checking whether your passport is currently exempt.
Kenya eTA requirements FAQ
Does every traveller need a Kenya eTA?
No. Kenya publishes a detailed exemption list that includes East African Partner State citizens and several other nationality, status and travel categories.
Do children and infants need an eTA?
The official guidance says visitors including children and infants require approved travel authorisation before travel unless an applicable exemption covers them.
Is the Standard eTA fee US$30?
Yes. The official eligibility page currently lists the Standard eTA base fee as US$30. Payment charges may be separate.
Is the East Africa Tourist eTA currently available?
The current official eligibility page displays the East African Tourist eTA as “COMING SOON,” so travellers should not assume it is presently available for normal application.
Can I stay in Kenya for 90 days because my eTA is valid for 90 days?
Not automatically. The eTA must be used for travel within 90 days after issue, while the actual duration of stay is determined at the point of entry.
Official sources and independent-service disclosure
KE-Visa is an independent travel-document assistance service and is not part of the Government of Kenya.
Travellers can apply directly through the official Kenya eTA portal. This page is designed to explain the requirements clearly
and to separate official government rules from optional private assistance.
Official Kenya eTA: https://etakenya.go.ke/
How to Apply: https://etakenya.go.ke/how-to-apply
General Information: https://etakenya.go.ke/general-information
Eligibility & Fees: https://etakenya.go.ke/eligibility
Official FAQ: https://etakenya.go.ke/faqs
