Kenya
Electronic travel authorization for Kenya: documents, fees and steps
Tourism (short stay) · 120 nationalities · any residence · ordinary passport
Verified on 15 October 2026
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Documents requested
- Passport valid for at least six months after the planned date of arrival in Kenya, with at least one blank pagePrepare a passport valid for at least six months after the planned date of arrival in Kenya, with at least one blank page.
- Self-portrait (selfie) or passport-type photoPrepare a selfie or a passport-type photo for the online application.
- Contact details: email address and phone numberThe application acknowledgement, payment confirmation, decision and, if approved, the eTA document in PDF are sent by email (portal FAQ page).
- Travel itinerary: details of arrival in and departure from KenyaEnter the details of your arrival in and departure from Kenya.
- Accommodation booking confirmation(s)Prepare the booking confirmations for your accommodation. For a family visit, also prepare the invitation letter and your host's identity document requested by the portal.
Credit card, debit card or other means of paymentConditions and details
The eTA fee is paid online at the time of application. According to the portal's terms and conditions, it is neither refundable nor transferable, including in the event of refusal.- Approved eTA, printed from the PDF received by email or saved on the mobile device or in the "Kenya Travel Authorisation" appThis is the document to present at all points of departure and arrival. Travel is permitted only after the application is approved.
Depending on your situation
- Family visit: invitation letter from the family or hostIf you are visiting your family, attach an invitation letter from the family member or host.
- Family visit: identity card, passport, foreigner card or entry permit of the family member or hostFor a family visit, attach your host's identity document: identity card, passport, foreigner card or entry permit.
- Vaccination certificates or test results, if the purpose of travel requires themDepending on the purpose of your visit, vaccination certificates or test results may be required. Follow the instructions corresponding to your trip.
Official fees
- Standard eTA (single entry), normal processing — fee shown on the portal 30 USD
- Multiple-entry eTA valid for one year, normal processing — fee shown on the portal 300 USD
- Expedited processing surcharge — fee announced by the portal 100 USD
Steps
- Check whether the eTA is required: the portal lists the persons exempted (nationals of certain states for 180, 90 or 60 days at most, holders of Kenyan documents, transit without leaving the airport, crew members, etc.).
- Choose the type of eTA: standard eTA (single entry) or multiple-entry eTA valid for one year.
- Submit the application online (“Apply Now”) on the official website or in the official application, one application per traveller (option “Apply as a Group” for a group).
- Complete the application and upload the documents, check that all the data is accurate, then submit; an email acknowledges receipt.
- Pay the fee online; an email confirms receipt of payment.
- Wait for the decision: usual processing in three working days, sometimes longer; an urgent processing service exists.
- Track the application with the “Check Status” button and the reference number received by email; the immigration officer's decision (approval or refusal) is sent by email.
- Keep the approved eTA on paper or on your device. The standard eTA allows travel within 90 days of its issuance; for a multiple-entry eTA, check the dates shown on the authorisation
- Present the eTA at departure and on arrival; at the point of entry, immigration decides on admission and sets the duration of stay.
Where to apply
- Official Kenya eTA portal (etakenya.go.ke), to which the Directorate of Immigration Services refers
- Official mobile application “Kenya Travel Authorisation”, the only other permitted application channel
- Tracking and verification of an application from the portal home page (“Check Status”, “Validate eTA”)
- Portal assistance: etakenya@ecitizen.go.ke, WhatsApp +254 110 922 064, telephone +254 717 436 070
Good to know
- The eTA does not guarantee entryPossession of an eTA is not the final authorisation to enter Kenya: admissibility is determined at the point of entry.
- Submit at least two weeks before departureThe portal recommends submitting the application at least two weeks before the trip to allow time for processing.
Travel only after approvalConditions and details
Travel is permitted only after the application is approved. In the event of refusal, it is not possible to travel to Kenya at the moment; the portal invites you to write to support@etakenya.go.ke to report your situation.Non-refundable fee, errors to be corrected before submissionConditions and details
Once the application is submitted, the fee is neither refundable nor transferable, even in the event of refusal or a change of trip. The data can be corrected before submission; an erroneous application may have to be redone and each new application is charged.- Application on behalf of another personA person may submit the application for a traveller, provided they provide the traveller's information and indicate that they are acting on the traveller's behalf.
- Boarding refused without a valid eTAIf you are subject to the eTA, obtain a valid authorisation before departure and present it to the carrier. First check the exemptions that may apply to your situation.
- Employment and gainful activities: written authorisation requiredThe holder of a visitor's pass may not accept any employment, paid or unpaid, or carry out any gainful activity in Kenya without written authorisation from an immigration officer.
Extend the stay beyond the granted durationConditions and details
The visitor pass is issued at the point of entry. An extension can be requested on the eFNS portal, without exceeding six months in total since entry. The application generates form 22; attach the passport identity page, the previous visa endorsement and, where applicable, proof of a pending permit or pass application.
Nationalities covered
This procedure applies to 120 nationalities.
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- North Korea
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestine
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Türkiye
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
Official links
- Electronic Travel Authorization of Kenya · Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (new tab) www.etakenya.go.ke
- Frequently Asked Questions · Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (new tab) www.etakenya.go.ke
- General Information · Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (new tab) www.etakenya.go.ke
- Terms and Conditions · Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (new tab) www.etakenya.go.ke
- The Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations - Kenya Law (new tab) new.kenyalaw.org
- Extension of Visitor’s Pass – Directorate of Immigration Services (new tab) immigration.go.ke
- How to Apply · Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (new tab) www.etakenya.go.ke
- ETA Eligibility · Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (new tab) www.etakenya.go.ke
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) – Directorate of Immigration Services (new tab) immigration.go.ke
- Directorate of Immigration Services, State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (new tab) www.etakenya.go.ke
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