Kenya eTA 2026: Requirements, Costs, and How to Apply Online

(KENYA) Kenya now requires most visitors to get an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before boarding a flight, and the rule applies to adults, babies, and children. The change, in force since January 5, 2024, replaced visas and visa-on-arrival for nearly all foreign nationals.

For travelers coming for the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara, a safari for the Big Five, or a beach break in Diani, the eTA is now the first booking step. Airlines check approval at the airport, and passengers without it are denied boarding.

Who must apply, and who is exempt

The Kenyan government says the aim is faster entry and better security screening before travel. In practice, the system is simple but strict: one traveler, one eTA, even for children on a parent’s passport.

You don’t need an eTA if you fall into one of the main exempt groups below, which keep their visa-free or regional travel rules.

• Kenyan citizens, traveling with a valid passport or national ID.
• East African Community nationals from Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, who can stay up to 180 days using a passport or ID.
• Many African nationals on Kenya’s visa-free list for short stays (exceptions: Libya and Somalia).
• Nationals who still apply but pay no eTA fee: Comoros, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, San Marino, and South Africa.

Choosing the right authorization and budgeting for fees

Most tourists use the single-entry tourist eTA, which:

• Costs $30–$32.50
• Lets you enter within 90 days of issuance
• Allows a stay of up to 90 days, with one possible extension through Kenya’s immigration channels

If your trip crosses borders, consider the East Africa Tourist Visa:

• Covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda
• Costs $100
• Allows multiple entries for 90 days total, provided you start in the issuing country

Frequent travelers and business visitors face higher fees:

Timeline: when to apply and how long it takes

Kenya advertises a fully online process with decisions in about 72 hours. Government data shows more than 90% of applications were processed within 3 days in 2025, though travelers report occasional website glitches and payment timeouts.

Practical guidance:

• Apply as soon as your itinerary is stable.
• Recommended window: 3 days to 3 months before travel.
• Allow at least one week for fixes (typos, re-uploads, flight changes).

The application journey, step by step

1. Use the official portal. Start on Kenya’s eTA portal and avoid third-party sites that add fees or collect extra data.
2. Create your account and enter passport details. Type your name exactly as shown on your passport. Add arrival/departure dates, flights, and accommodation.
3. Upload core documents. Required: a scan of the passport bio page, a recent passport-style photo or selfie, and supporting travel documents (hotel booking, itinerary).
4. Pay online and save your receipt. Cards accepted include Visa, Mastercard, and AmEx. Fees are non-refundable, even if you cancel your trip.
5. Track approval and prepare for travel day. Approved eTAs arrive by email as a PDF; print a copy, keep one on your phone, and bring the same passport used in the application.

Important: Airlines check eTA approval at check-in. Passengers without an approved eTA are denied boarding.

What immigration officers check on arrival

At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi) or Moi International Airport (Mombasa), officers will:

• Verify the eTA in their system and match it to your passport
• Possibly take biometrics (photo and fingerprints)

Tourists are rarely asked for extra proof, but carry these to avoid delays:

• Return or onward ticket
• Hotel booking or invitation letter
• A simple plan showing how you will pay for the trip

Staying longer: extensions, fines, and repeat visits

• Standard tourist stay: up to 90 days.
• To extend: request one extension through the electronic foreign nationals services system, then attend an immigration office visit in Nairobi or Mombasa.

Consequences of overstaying:

• $200 fine plus the mandatory extension fee of $51
• Officers can hold you until payment is made, which may cause missed flights and significant disruption

Planning trips that mix tourism and business

• The tourist eTA covers tourism, visiting family, and short business meetings where you do not take employment in Kenya.
• Companies sending staff to conferences should budget for the $1,000 business visa and plan approval time well ahead.
• For long-term relocations, Kenya’s work permits are outside the eTA system. Gazette changes increased some 2-year permit fees to about $6,500, affecting employer packages and family timelines.

Practical checks before you leave home

Before you head to the airport, confirm the following—airlines and border officers rely on them:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival, with at least one blank page
• Printed eTA PDF and the email approval, plus a phone copy
• Flight details and accommodation proof, even for cancellable bookings
• Yellow fever vaccination proof if arriving from an endemic area in Africa or South America
• A plan for onward travel within your allowed stay (important for safari circuits)

Why the shift matters for travelers in 2026

Kenya’s eTA rollout is framed as a tourism boost paired with digital screening. Reported impacts:

• 15% rise in arrivals in the first year (tourism reports)
• Officials report shorter queues, getting visitors to parks faster

This is important for time-sensitive trips (e.g., the Great Migration) where travelers move between Nairobi, the Mara, and the coast. VisaVerge.com notes families now treat the eTA as essential as booking domestic flights.

The trade-off: the system leaves little room for last-minute fixes. Because approval is checked at check-in, a small typo in a passport number can stop an entire family at the gate.

If something goes wrong: fast fixes that work

Common problems: mismatched names, blurry passport scans, or incomplete payments.

Steps to resolve:

1. Edit the online form and upload corrected files.
2. Reapply quickly if needed and watch your email for the PDF.
3. If close to departure, arrive early for airline verification.

Note: Travelers transiting without leaving the airport do not need an eTA. Anyone stepping landside for a hotel, meeting, or city visit needs the transit authorization. Make sure your layover plan matches what you apply for.

A sample Great Migration timeline using the eTA

• Check passport validity and book flights into Nairobi and onward to the Maasai Mara.
• Submit eTA applications for every family member as soon as flights are confirmed—ideally 2 to 4 weeks ahead.
• Carry printed approvals on safari days; bush flights and lodge check-ins often request ID.
• If adding Uganda or Rwanda, switch to the $100 East Africa Tourist Visa before paying.
• Keep total stay under 90 days unless you plan an extension.
• When exiting Kenya, present the same passport and a copy of your travel plan—officers may ask about onward tickets.