Kenya no longer issues traditional tourist visas. Most visitors apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travel. There is no visa on arrival.
Who needs an eTA
Most tourists need one, including passport holders from the United States, United Kingdom, EU countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, and many others. Each person, including infants and children, needs their own eTA.
Who is exempt
You generally do not need an eTA if you are:
- A citizen of an East African Community partner state: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, or Uganda (stay up to 180 days; some can use a national ID).
- A national of certain other listed countries (many African states plus some others such as Barbados, Botswana, Ghana, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mauritius, Namibia, Singapore, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and more) for stays of 60 or 90 days depending on nationality.
- In airside transit and not leaving the airport/ship.
- A holder of certain Kenyan residence/work documents or specified official laissez-passers.
The official “How to Apply” page has the current exemption lists. Check your nationality there before you book.
Cost and validity
- Standard tourist eTA is typically about USD 30 (card fees can bring the total a little higher). Expedited processing costs extra (around USD 100 more).
- Valid for travel within 90 days of issue.
- Stay length is decided at the border; tourists are commonly admitted for up to 90 days.
- Single-entry in principle, but re-entry from other EAC countries is often allowed while the eTA remains valid.
What you need to apply
- Passport valid at least 6 months from arrival, with a blank page
- Passport-style photo or selfie
- Email and phone number
- Flight itinerary
- Hotel booking or host invitation
- Card for payment
Processing is usually 3 working days, sometimes longer. Apply at least a week ahead; two weeks is safer around Christmas and other peak periods. You can travel only after approval. Print or save the PDF.
Other points
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from (or have recently been in) a yellow-fever endemic country.
- Visiting Kenya plus Uganda and Rwanda on one trip? Compare the East African Tourist Visa (about USD 100, 90 days, multiple entry among those three countries).
- An eTA is not a work permit. Visa-free or eTA entry does not allow you to work or do business.
Rules and exemption lists change. Confirm everything on etakenya.go.ke or immigration.go.ke/eta with your exact passport nationality before you fly.
