Kenya moved to a fully electronic visa system in 2024, and the rules have continued to shift since. This page is our working reference for travellers planning a trip in 2026: what the system currently requires, what it costs, where it trips people up, and what to do if your situation is anything other than straightforward.
Quick Answer
As of mid-2026, most nationalities – including US, UK, and Australian citizens – enter Kenya on an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online before departure. The fee is USD 30 for most applicants. Citizens of roughly 40 African Union member states, including several East African Community countries, are currently exempt from the eTA requirement entirely. There is no visa-on-arrival. Do not arrive without an approved eTA if your nationality requires one.
Always verify your specific nationality’s current status at the official Kenyan government eTA portal before booking flights. Policy has changed several times in the past two years and may change again.
What You Need
Before you start an eTA application, gather the following. Incomplete applications are a leading cause of delays.
- A valid passport with at least six months’ validity beyond your intended departure date from Kenya, and at least one blank page for the entry stamp
- A recent passport-style photograph (digital, meeting the portal’s specification – check the current requirements on the portal itself)
- Proof of onward or return travel (a confirmed flight booking)
- Proof of accommodation for at least the first night (hotel booking confirmation, safari camp voucher, or a host’s address and contact details)
- A valid email address – all correspondence and your eTA approval arrive by email
- A payment card accepted for international online transactions (Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; check the portal for current options)
- For minors: additional documentation (see Edge Cases below)
The eTA, once approved, is typically valid for 90 days from the date of issue, with a permitted stay of up to 90 days in a single visit. Verify both figures on the portal at time of application, as these parameters have been subject to revision.
Step-by-Step: Applying for the Kenya eTA
- Go to the official portal. The Kenyan government’s eTA portal is at https://www.etakenya.go.ke. Bookmark this address. There are convincing lookalike sites that charge inflated fees for the same service; use only the official government URL.
- Create an account. You will need a valid email address. Use one you check regularly – approval and any requests for additional information come by email.
- Complete the application form. Fill in personal details exactly as they appear in your passport. Discrepancies between your application and your travel documents cause delays at immigration.
- Upload supporting documents. The portal will prompt you to upload your passport biographical page, photograph, and supporting documents. File sizes and formats are specified on the portal; prepare your scans in advance.
- Pay the fee. As of mid-2026, the standard eTA fee is USD 30. Payment is made online by card at the time of application. Keep your payment confirmation.
- Wait for approval. Processing is typically completed within two to three working days, though it can take longer during peak periods. Apply at least two weeks before travel to allow time for any queries or resubmission.
- Download and print your eTA. Once approved, download the eTA document and carry a printed copy as well as a digital copy. Some immigration officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Moi International Airport in Mombasa will ask to see it in printed form.
- Present at immigration. On arrival, present your passport, your printed eTA, and your onward travel documentation. Immigration officers may ask about the purpose and duration of your visit.
The Kenya Airports Authority has current information on entry procedures at JKIA and other ports of entry if you want to understand what to expect on the ground.
Costs and Timing
| Item | Current figure (mid-2026) |
|---|---|
| ETA fee (most nationalities) | USD 30 |
| ETA validity from issue | 90 days (verify on portal) |
| Permitted stay per visit | Up to 90 days (verify on portal) |
| Typical processing time | 2–3 working days |
| Recommended application lead time | At least 14 days before travel |
All figures should be confirmed at the official portal before payment. We update this table quarterly but fees can change without notice.
For context on what USD 30 means relative to broader travel costs in Kenya, our currency in Kenya page covers exchange rates and practical money management, and if you want a sense of local price levels, cost of living in Kenya is a useful reference.
The Question of Free Visas for African-American Travellers
This question circulates widely online and deserves a direct answer.
Kenya does not currently offer a blanket free eTA or visa-free entry to African-American citizens on the basis of African heritage or diaspora identity. US citizens, regardless of ethnic background, are subject to the same eTA requirement and the same USD 30 fee as other American passport holders.
What does exist is a broader political and cultural conversation. Kenya’s government, along with several other East African governments, has made public statements about welcoming the African diaspora, and there have been periodic policy discussions – particularly in the context of the African Union’s “Year of Return” and related initiatives – about easing entry for people of African descent holding non-African passports. As of mid-2026, these discussions have not translated into a formal fee waiver or visa exemption for African-American travellers entering on a US passport.
If you hold dual nationality – a US passport and the passport of a country that is exempt from the Kenya eTA – you may be able to enter on the exempt passport. See the dual nationality note in Edge Cases below.
The situation is worth monitoring. Kenya’s visa policy has shifted meaningfully in the past two years, and further changes are possible. Check the official portal and, if relevant, the US State Department’s Kenya travel information page for any updates before you travel.
Edge Cases
Children and minors
Children travelling on their own passport follow the same eTA process as adults. Children travelling on a parent’s passport (an arrangement that some older passports still accommodate) should check current requirements directly with the Kenyan High Commission or Embassy in their country, as practice varies. Unaccompanied minors and children travelling with only one parent or a non-parent guardian should carry notarised consent letters; immigration officers have discretion to question travel arrangements involving children.
Multiple entries
The standard eTA permits multiple entries within its validity period, but confirm this on the portal for your specific nationality at the time of application. If you plan to cross into Tanzania or Uganda and return to Kenya – as many safari itineraries do – confirm the multiple-entry status of your eTA before departure.
Transit
If you are transiting through JKIA without passing through immigration (airside transit only), you generally do not need a Kenya eTA. If your transit requires you to pass through immigration – for example, to collect checked baggage and re-check it – you will need one. Confirm with your airline and check the Kenya Airports Authority for current transit procedures.
Expired or damaged passports
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure from Kenya. If your passport is within that window, renew it before applying for the eTA. Damaged passports – with water damage, torn pages, or a detached cover – can be refused at immigration even if technically valid. When in doubt, renew.
Dual nationality
Kenya does not formally prohibit dual nationality, but it does not always recognise it either. If you hold both a US or UK passport and the passport of a country exempt from the Kenya eTA, you may choose to travel on the exempt passport. Seek legal advice from the Kenyan High Commission in your country if your situation is complex.
Late applications
There is no guaranteed fast-track for the standard eTA. If you are applying fewer than five days before travel, apply immediately and also contact the nearest Kenyan embassy or high commission to flag the urgency. Do not assume approval will arrive in time.
Common Mistakes
Travel blogs rarely flag these. We have seen them cause real problems.
Using a third-party application site. Search results for “Kenya eTA” surface several commercial intermediary sites that charge USD 60–100 or more for a service that costs USD 30 on the official portal. Some of these sites are slow, some are unreliable, and a few have been associated with data concerns. Use etakenya.go.ke only.
Applying with a passport that expires within six months of your return date. The six-month rule is enforced. Check your passport expiry date before you apply.
Uploading a photograph that doesn’t meet the portal’s specification. The portal will accept the upload even if the photo quality is poor, but an immigration officer can flag it on arrival. Use a clean, recent, plain-background photograph.
Not printing the eTA. A digital copy on your phone is useful but not always sufficient. Print it.
Assuming the eTA start date is your travel date. The eTA validity runs from the date of issue, not the date of travel. If you apply six weeks early and the eTA is valid for 90 days from issue, you are arriving with less than 90 days of permitted stay remaining. Apply no more than four to six weeks ahead of travel.
Not checking entry requirements for onward countries. If your safari takes you into Tanzania or Uganda, you will need to understand those countries’ entry requirements separately. Kenya’s eTA covers Kenya only.
For those thinking about the full trip picture, our best time to travel to Kenya guide and are African safaris safe page are useful companions to the visa planning process. And once you have the entry logistics sorted, the Kenya safari section of this site covers the rest.
Health Documentation
Kenya does not currently require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry, but requirements in this area have changed before and may change again. Yellow fever vaccination proof is required if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission – check the current list at the US Centers for Disease Control Kenya travel page or the NHS Fit for Travel Kenya page. Carry your vaccination certificate (the yellow card, or a digital equivalent accepted by Kenyan immigration) if it applies to you.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Our best travel insurance for African safari page covers what to look for in a policy that actually works in East Africa.
Official Sources
Check these directly before you travel. We link to them here but we cannot guarantee their content remains current between our quarterly reviews.
- Kenya eTA portal: https://www.etakenya.go.ke
- Kenya Airports Authority: https://www.kaa.go.ke
- US State Department – Kenya: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Kenya.html
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office – Kenya: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya
- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Kenya: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/kenya
- US CDC – Kenya travel health: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya
- NHS Fit for Travel – Kenya: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/kenya
Last verified: June 2026.
When We Update This Page
Kenya’s visa policy has changed multiple times since 2023. We review this page quarterly – in March, June, September, and December – and update it when official sources indicate a change. The publication and review dates at the top of this page reflect the most recent check. If you are reading this more than three months after the last review date, treat it as a starting point rather than a final answer and verify directly with the official portal.
If you spot an error or an outdated detail, contact us via the site. Reader corrections have improved this page before and are always welcome.
FAQ
Does Kenya still offer visa on arrival?
No. Kenya discontinued visa-on-arrival in January 2024 and replaced it with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system. You must apply and receive approval online before you travel. Arriving without an approved eTA (if your nationality requires one) risks being denied boarding by your airline or refused entry on arrival.
How much does the Kenya eTA cost?
As of mid-2026, the standard eTA fee is USD 30, paid online at the time of application via the official portal at etakenya.go.ke. Third-party sites charge more for the same authorisation; use the official portal.
Do African-American travellers get free entry to Kenya?
Not currently. US citizens, including African-American travellers, require the standard eTA and pay the standard fee regardless of ethnic background or heritage. There are ongoing policy discussions in East Africa about welcoming the African diaspora, but as of mid-2026 these have not resulted in a formal exemption for US passport holders. Monitor the official portal for any changes.
Which countries are exempt from the Kenya eTA?
Roughly 40 African Union member states are currently exempt, as are East African Community partner state nationals. The list is subject to revision. Check the official eTA portal for the current exemption list – do not rely on third-party sources for this, as it changes.
How long does eTA processing take?
Typically two to three working days, though processing can be slower during peak travel periods. Apply at least two weeks before your intended travel date.
Can I get a Kenya eTA if I have dual nationality?
Yes, but the eTA requirement depends on which passport you travel on. If you hold the passport of an eTA-exempt country alongside a passport that requires an eTA, you may be able to enter on the exempt passport. Seek current guidance from the Kenyan High Commission in your country if your situation is complex.
Do children need their own eTA?
Children travelling on their own passport follow the same process as adults. Children travelling on a parent’s passport should seek current guidance from the Kenyan High Commission, as practice varies. Unaccompanied minors and children travelling with a non-parent guardian should carry notarised consent letters.
Is proof of yellow fever vaccination required for Kenya?
It is required if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Check the current list of affected countries at the US CDC or NHS Fit for Travel sites, and carry your vaccination certificate if it applies to you.