Kenya has recently launched a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, having eliminated the requirement for all nationalities to obtain a visitor visa for entry. All travellers, including infants and children and with the exception of citizens of Kenya and East African Community partner states, are required to apply for the ETA online via http://www.etakenya.go.ke prior to their arrival. The ETA costs USD $30, with payment made online via credit card, debit card, or Apple pay.
Travellers are required to submit the following for the ETA application:
- Valid passport (6-month validity from the date of arrival in Kenya, with a minimum of one blank page)
- Passport-style photo
- Contact information (home address, email address and phone number)
- Itinerary details
- Accommodation booking confirmation
Depending on country of residence/travel history, some may be required to present a Yellow Fever certificate (if arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic country) and additional vaccinations.
Travellers are eligible to apply for ETAs within 3 months of their arrival date in Kenya. Following the application, a confirmation will be sent to the email address submitted in the application. Upon approval, the ETA will be sent to the same email address.
Standard processing time for ETAs is three working days and the status of applications can be checked at any time on the ETA website using the ETA reference number.
All previous visa entry requirements for Kenya are now replaced by the requirement of ETAs. All e-visas currently in process will be issued and travellers with existing e-visas will be granted access to Kenya within the validity period of 90 days, without the additional requirement of an ETA.
The ETA is only valid for one trip and travellers must obtain a new ETA for each visit to Kenya.
