Kenya ETA Update: Expanded Exemptions, $34 Fee, 3-Day Processing

(KENYA) Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system is still the main “green light” most foreign visitors need before they travel, but the rules are no longer the same as they were when the system launched on 1 January 2024. The biggest shift came on May 30, 2025, when Kenya widened the group of travelers who can arrive without an advance eTA and instead get an entry stamp on arrival for short trips. That change matters because Kenya had already ended the old visa system, including visa on arrival, and moved border screening to a digital, pre-travel model.

For travelers, airlines, tour operators, and families planning reunions, the message is simple: you must first confirm whether you are in the “must apply” group or the “exempt” group. If you guess wrong, you can be denied boarding even if you have a ticket, hotel bookings, and a full safari itinerary.

The core change: visas were abolished and replaced by eTA

Kenya abolished traditional visitor visas and replaced them with the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). That includes the old visa on arrival option and the earlier eVisa approach. In practical terms, for many nationalities, permission to travel now starts before you reach the airport check-in desk, not at the immigration counter in Nairobi or Mombasa.

The eTA functions as pre-screening: it lets Kenyan authorities decide in advance whether a traveler should be allowed to board a flight or other carrier to Kenya. It is not described as a “visa” in the old sense, but for travelers who still need it, it plays a very similar role: no approval, no boarding.

Kenya stresses using official channels. The government has repeatedly warned travelers to apply only through the official platform and linked government pages because look-alike sites can charge extra fees or collect personal data with no real connection to immigration decisions.

May 30, 2025: exemption expansion — what changed at borders

The practical effect of May 30, 2025 is that many people who previously needed an eTA can now travel for short tourism or business visits without it, provided they meet the exemption rules and carry the correct passport.

Key points about this expansion:

• The change mainly affects most African nationals, although there are clear carve-outs.
• Libyan and Somali nationals still require an eTA, even after the exemption expansion.
• Certain non-African nationalities and categories (e.g., some diplomatic or official documents) can qualify for time-limited exemptions.
• The allowed stay often varies by nationality and is usually set at the border via the entry stamp.

Important clarification: “Exempt from eTA” does not mean “no border checks.” It means you skip online pre-approval, but you still face normal screening on arrival. Immigration officers can still ask about accommodation, length of stay, and onward travel.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the exemption expansion reduced paperwork for many regional travelers but increased the importance of getting nationality rules right before departure, because airlines still must check whether you are eTA-required or eTA-exempt.

Important: If you are uncertain whether you are exempt, confirm through official sources before travel — guessing wrong risks being denied boarding.

Who still needs an eTA in 2025

Many travelers from outside Africa still need an eTA before they travel. This includes large groups from the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, the United Kingdom, most EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, and many countries across Asia and the Americas. Families, students, and business visitors commonly discover the requirement when planning multi-country trips or short programs.

You generally must apply in advance if:

• Your nationality is not on Kenya’s exemption list and you are not covered by a special status-based exemption (e.g., Kenyan permanent residence or a valid Kenyan work permit).
• You are visiting for tourism, business, family visits, medical treatment, conferences, studies, religious events, or transit where you will pass through border control.
• You are traveling with children or infants who are not exempt — they also require their own eTA approval.

Because exemption lists can change, Kenya advises travelers to confirm requirements through official government sources before booking final arrangements.

Who is exempt: main exemption groups

Kenya’s exemptions fall into several buckets. Check which one fits your situation rather than relying on social media or outdated blogs.

1) Kenyan status holders
– People with Kenyan Permanent Residence, valid work permits, or other Kenyan passes are exempt.
– Passports endorsed with valid re-entry authority are also exempt.

2) East African Community (EAC) partner-state citizens
– Citizens of Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda are exempt for stays up to 180 days for tourism or business.

3) Short-stay nationality exemptions (after May 30, 2025)
– Most African nationals can be admitted for short tourism or business visits without an eTA and receive an entry stamp.
– Kenya lists many countries with 60- or 90-day access in practice, including Botswana, Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Ethiopia, Gambia, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bahamas.
– The maximum stay is nationality-based and confirmed at the border.

4) Transit and crew categories
– Some travelers in direct transit who remain within the airport or port area (arriving and departing on the same aircraft/ship) are exempt.
– Certain crew members on a manifest and private aircraft owners stopping only to refuel (without leaving the airport) may also qualify.

5) Diplomatic and international-organization travel
– Kenya recognizes exemptions for holders of laissez-passers from bodies such as the UN, AU, AfDB, World Bank, IMF, COMESA, and IGAD.
– Time-limited exemptions exist for some diplomatic, official, or service passports, including from Turkey, Brazil, India, China, and Iran.

Step-by-step: how to apply for an eTA (if required)

If you must apply, treat the eTA as a short project with documents, payment, and airline checks. Kenya’s official guidance says processing can take up to 3 working days, but travelers are strongly advised to apply at least 7 days before departure.

1) Start only on the official platform
– Use the official Kenya eTA portal, or follow links from the Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services website.
– This protects you from fake sites that mimic government branding, add “service fees,” or collect data without delivering authorization.

2) Create an account and select the purpose of travel
– Register with basic details (name, email), create an application, and select the purpose: tourism, business, conference, transit, family visit, medical care, studies, religious events, etc.
– The purpose drives what documents the system may request.

3) Upload identity and travel basics
Kenya typically asks for:
– A copy of your passport biodata page (valid at least 6 months beyond arrival; at least one blank page).
– A selfie or passport-style photo.
– Contact details (phone and email).
– Travel dates and itinerary basics.
– Accommodation proof (hotel booking or host address and invitation).
– Possible customs or health declarations depending on current controls.

4) Add documents that match your reason for travel
Examples:
– Tourism: hotel bookings and a return/onward ticket.
– Business: invitation letters and possibly company registration documents.
– Conferences: event invitation or registration proof.
– Medical care: appointment confirmations or referral letters.
– Family visits: invitation letters and proof of host’s Kenyan status.
– Students: admission/acceptance letter.
– Diplomatic travel: official letters and the relevant passport type.

If documents don’t match your stated purpose, the application can stall or raise tougher questions at check-in and arrival.

5) Pay the fee and keep proof
– Standard fee is about USD 32–34 (often shown as USD 32.50–34.09 in the system) plus a small processing charge.
– Payment is typically by card or major digital methods.
– The fee is non-refundable, even if you cancel the trip or the application is refused.

6) Wait for the decision, then travel with backups
– Official service standard: up to 3 working days (may be longer in peak periods).
– Once approved, you receive an email confirmation; the approval is linked electronically to your passport.
– Carry both a digital copy and a printed copy of confirmation for airline check-in and arrival.

Timeframes — what to do week-by-week before departure

A smooth trip often comes down to timing:

• Two to three weeks before travel: confirm whether you are exempt after May 30, 2025; check passport validity; gather accommodation and invitation documents.
• Seven days before travel: submit the eTA if required — Kenya recommends at least 7 days to cover document fixes or extra review.
• Three working days before travel: monitor email if you have not received a decision and be ready to provide additional information.
• Day of departure: arrive at the airport with printouts, onward ticket proof, accommodation details, and any required health certificates (e.g., yellow fever).

Health and document checks that can still stop a trip

Whether entering on an approved eTA or under an exemption with an entry stamp, airlines and border officers can refuse travel if key documents are missing.

Common checks include:
– Passport validity: at least 6 months beyond arrival and at least one blank page.
– Return or onward ticket: often required by airlines.
– Accommodation proof: hotel booking or host invitation.
– Yellow Fever certificate: required if arriving from or transiting a yellow fever–endemic country.
– Minors traveling: documents proving parent-child relationship and consent from a non-traveling parent, where relevant.

Note: Kenya no longer lists COVID-19 vaccination as a general entry requirement, but airlines may still impose health documentation depending on routing.

Arriving in Kenya: what immigration officers can ask

Kenya makes clear that an approved eTA does not guarantee entry. The final decision is made at the port of entry. Officers can:

• Ask about your purpose of travel and your itinerary.
• Request proof you can support yourself during the trip (including evidence of funds in some cases).
• Confirm your return or onward ticket.
• Grant and stamp a stay period in your passport (often up to 90 days for many visitors, nationality-dependent).
• Limit or refuse entry if information is inconsistent or if the officer believes conditions are not met.

Consistency is key: the purpose you declare in your application, the documents you carry, and what you tell border officials should all match.

Ports of entry and multi-stop trips

Kenya accepts entry through major international airports (e.g., Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Moi International Airport in Mombasa), seaports (Kilindini, Lamu), and designated land borders with neighbors (Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda).

If entering by land after flying into the region, confirm your chosen border point is an authorized international crossing. Tour companies sometimes use overland routes, and travelers can be surprised if they assume every crossing has the same staffing or authority to process arrivals.

Future screening: API/PNR implications

Kenya plans to roll out an Advanced Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) pre-screening system in coming months. API/PNR uses passenger data airlines already hold (passport details, booking records) to screen travelers before arrival.

For travelers this usually is invisible, but it raises the importance of accurate passenger data. A minor mismatch between ticket name and passport name, or an error in birth date, can trigger extra checks. Double-check details when booking and again when submitting an eTA.

Practical traveler checklist (2025 rules)

Before you fly, confirm whether you are eTA-required or eTA-exempt (after May 30, 2025). Then plan around the system.

• If you are eTA-required:
  • Apply through the official portal (Kenya eTA portal) or via Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services links.
  • Budget USD 32–34 and submit at least 7 days before departure.
  • Carry printed and digital copies of confirmation.
• If you are eTA-exempt:
  • Travel with a valid passport and be ready for normal screening and an entry stamp.
  • Remember the visa on arrival system is no longer in effect.

Carry these at all times:
– Proof of accommodation
– Onward/return ticket
– Yellow fever certificate when route requires it
– Printed and digital copies of key documents (passport biodata page, eTA confirmation, invitations, etc.)

Final takeaway

• The eTA system changed the moment the old visa-on-arrival option was abolished.
• May 30, 2025 broadened exemptions for many African nationals but did not remove border checks.
• Always confirm your status via official government sources and apply through the official portals to avoid being denied boarding.

Tip: When in doubt, treat the eTA as required until you have definitive confirmation of exemption from an official source.