How to Apply: ETA
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What you need to know
- Allows single-entry for a max. stay of 90 days in Kenya
- You must apply at least 3 days before your travel date
- Some required documents for the Kenya ETA application include your valid passport, a photo, flight confirmation, and proof of accommodation, plus proof of your travel reasons (see complete list below)
Apply today for the Kenya ETA with us!
Last updated: March 2024
Discover Kenya's majestic beauty with ease! Embark on a journey to the heart of Africa with the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
We've simplified the application process for the Kenya ETA with this handy online guide.
What is the Kenya ETA?
The Kenya ETA is a travel document designed for eligible international travelers who wish to visit Kenya.
This ETA replaces the Kenya eVisa. Unlike the eVisa, a fully digital version of a traditional visa, the ETA is a pre-arrival registration. The process is quicker and easier than a regular visa application.
What can I do with the Kenya ETA?
This visa allows you to do the following in the country:
- Tourism
- Business activities, attend conferences
- Visiting friends & family
- Enables plane/ship crew (including fishing vessels) to enter the country
- Official visit by a diplomat
- Medical care
- Religious visit
- Study/Education
- Transit
What can’t I do with the Kenya ETA?
The ETA is for short visits only, and does not allow you to live in Kenya.
Who can apply for the Kenya ETA?
All visitors except those from EAC states must have the ETA before they enter the country.
Who doesn’t have to apply for the Kenya ETA?
Citizens of East African Community (EAC) states are exempt from the ETA requirements for Kenya:
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Burundi
- Rwanda
- South Sudan
- Uganda
- Tanzania
Do minors have to apply for the Kenya ETA?
Yes, children/minors also need the ETA to visit Kenya. Parents/legal guardians can apply on their behalf.
How long is the Kenya ETA valid?
You can visit Kenya once with the ETA and stay for up to 90 days after issued.
You must apply at least 3 days before your departure date.
Can I extend the Kenya ETA?
The ETA is not extendable. If you’d like to stay longer, you must exit the country before your ETA expires and apply for a new one. You can get it in just a few days when applying with us!
Kenya ETA: Required documents
We require the following documents to submit your application for the ETA.
All applicants
-
Passport scan: High-quality scan of your passport. It must have a validity of at least 6 months after arriving in Kenya and two blank pages for entry/exit stamps
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A photo of yourself: Taken within the last 3 months (this can be a selfie or passport photo)
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Airline/cruise booking confirmation: Arrival flight number and round trip dates. Also, include any travel information on connecting flights (if applicable)
-
Proof of accommodation: If staying in a hotel, include a confirmation of your booking. If staying with family or friends, include a letter of invitation and a copy of your host's ID card
Business and working travelers
-
Letter of an employer: If traveling for business. This can be a letter from an agency, company, or employer justifying the applicant’s presence in Kenya, confirming the employment status and contact information for the host company
-
Crew ID or Seaman Book: Required for crew from planes or ships and seaman entering the country
Diplomatic or official visit
-
Letter of Mission: For official duties, or transiting through Kenya to a third country for official business or duties, present an official letter from the Country of Origin/Organization/Foreign Affairs
-
Copy of passport front cover (official/diplomatic passport)
Medical care
- Medical Referral Letter: A referral letter issued by a doctor or a hospital justifying your presence in Kenya
Study/educational reasons
- School/college/university admission letter
Travel disruption/unplanned travel
-
Letter from airline: A letter from your airline indicating disruption to your travel
-
Boarding pass: Original and new boarding pass
How to apply for the Kenya ETA with us
The Kenya ETA application is very straightforward and can be completed in just 15 minutes. Follow the simple steps below:
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Step 1: Fill out your personal and travel details on our platform or app.
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Step 2: Choose your preferred processing time and pay the fees using a credit/debit card, Venmo, or PayPal.
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Step 3: After the payment, upload the required documents and wait for your approved ETA confirmation to arrive in your email inbox!
Upon approval, you can print the PDF or download it on your mobile device. When you arrive in Kenya, present your ETA and matching passport.
Costs and processing times of the Kenya ETA
The fees are made up of two parts:
-
Kenya ETA government fee: USD $35.00
-
iVisa service fee: Varies based on the processing speed you choose.
We generally offer three different processing times. Choose the option that best suits your needs and budget:
-
Standard: For those who have applied for their Kenya trip far in advance, this is the most affordable option and usually takes a few days.
-
Rush: For those who need their ETA sooner than the standard option, select our Rush service to get it quicker for an additional fee.
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Super Rush: For travelers who require their Kenya ETA as soon as possible, this option is the way to go. Get it ASAP for an express fee.
Check the exact fees for your nationality by starting your application now!
Do I need the Kenya ETA to transit through the country?
You don’t need the Kenya ETA if you’re staying at the airport during a layover. However, you may need a Transit Visa or ETA to leave the airport and enter the country, on your way to another destination.
Kenya entry requirements or restrictions
Besides the ETA, there are some other entry regulations for Kenya to keep in mind:
-
While the Kenya ETA will replace the Kenya eVisa, travelers who currently hold a valid visa can continue to travel using their visa until it expires
-
It is illegal to import or export drones without prior approval from the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). Contact them well in advance of traveling if you wish to bring a drone to Kenya
-
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission
-
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for entering the country do not exist at this time
Need more info about traveling to Kenya?
If you have questions about the Kenya ETA or traveling to another country, let us know by contacting our customer service team via online chat or WhatsApp
Questions
Can the eTA be used like the Kenya East Africa Visa?
Maya N, USA | July 6, 2024
My pals and I have planned a trek across East Africa: we’re starting off in Nairobi before going to Uganda and Rwanda. We’re all US citizens and plan to apply for the Kenya eTA, but we’re stuck at the visas for Uganda and Rwanda. Since it seems Kenya doesn’t offer the East African Visa anymore, do we need to line up separate visas for each country, or is there another way to handle this?
Martin, iVisa | July 9, 2024
Since the East African Tourist Visa, which covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, is currently not available through the Kenyan government website, you can apply for the Uganda East Africa Visa if that’s the first country you'll go to after Kenya. This visa will cover your entries into Uganda and Rwanda. If you plan to head to Rwanda first after visiting Kenya, you can apply for the Rwanda East Africa Visa instead.
Can the eTA be used for Uganda?
Mick F, UK | July 12, 2024
I’ve got a trip lined up where I'll be flying into Nairobi, Kenya, and later heading over to Uganda before making my way back to the UK. I'm sorting out my travel documents and was wondering if the Kenyan eTA I'm applying for is also good for my visit to Uganda. Or do I need to apply for a separate visa for Uganda?
Cami, iVisa | July 15, 2024
The Kenyan eTA does not cover travel to Uganda. You would need to apply for a separate Ugandan visa or a Uganda East Africa Visa if your travel plans include multiple entries into Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.
When does the eTA allow multiple entries?
Clara W, Germany | July 20, 2024
I'm traveling to East Africa next month to see the wildebeest migration. I’m going to start with Kenya, go to Tanzania, travel to a couple of other countries before I loop back to Kenya from Uganda after around two months. Here’s my question: Can I re-enter Kenya on the same eTA after all that time, or will I need a new one by then?
Cami, iVisa | July 22, 2024
The standard Kenyan eTA is valid for a single entry and would not cover re-entry after traveling to other countries unless you are visiting EAC Partner States (Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda) and not traveling to any other countries outside this block. If your travels include countries outside these, you would need to apply for a new eTA upon re-entering Kenya after two months.
My application couldn’t be completed due to an error. What now?
My Kenya eVisa application has been rejected. What now?
iVisa review your documents and assists you during the application process to avoid rejection. But sometimes, this isn’t enough, and the Kenyan government may reject or cancel a visa application. In this case, you are eligible for a full refund of the iVisa processing fee related to the number of rejected applicants. Otherwise, we do not refund the government fees.
You may consider re-applying for the Kenya eVisa, depending on the reasons for cancellation or rejection.
Does my criminal record pose a problem?
Does a visa guarantee that I will be allowed to enter Kenya?
How do processing times work?
Who can I talk to if I have more questions?
Where can I read more?
- Kenya ETA for Filipino citizens
- Kenya Visa on Arrival halted: What you must know
- Kenya ETA for UK citizens
- How to get a visa for Kenya as a citizen of Dubai
- Kenya Transit Visa at Nairobi airport: Is it possible?
- Kenya ETA for Liberian citizens
- Kenyan Transit Visa for Nigeria Passport Holders
- Kenya eVisa: Frequently asked questions
- Kenya visa-free countries for 2024
- Kenya ETA for US citizens
- See All
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