Most visitors to Kenya need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online before travel through the official portal at etakenya.go.ke. It replaced Kenya's old visa system in January 2024. Citizens of the East African Community and most other African countries are exempt for set periods. Everyone else, including children, needs an approved eTA before boarding.
This page explains the basics. Rules can change, so always confirm on the official portal before you travel.
Unless you are exempt, every traveller needs one - adults, children and infants. Exemptions on the official site include:
If you are not sure which group you fall into, check your nationality on the official portal.
Depending on the purpose of travel, extra documents may be requested. If you are arriving from a country with yellow fever risk, also carry your vaccination certificate - see our yellow fever guide.
The official guidance is to apply at least two weeks before travel. Standard processing takes around three working days but can take longer, and an expedited service is available for an extra fee. Fees are set by the Kenyan government and shown on the portal; we do not quote them here because they can change.
Search results include many third-party sites that charge extra to submit the same application. Use only etakenya.go.ke. If a site asks for a "service fee" on top of the government fee, it is not the official portal.
An approved eTA lets you board and present yourself at immigration; the final decision on entry is made by the officer at the border. Keep a printed or digital copy of your approval, your return or onward ticket and your safari confirmation to hand.
Kenya's eTA covers Kenya only. Tanzania and Uganda have their own entry requirements, so check each country on your route. If you are combining Kenya and Tanzania, our 8-day Kenya and Tanzania safari involves crossing the border overland, and you will need documents for both.
Apply on the official portal two weeks or more before you fly, keep your approval with your passport, and check the rules for any other country on your itinerary.
It does the same job for most travellers - you cannot board without it - but it is applied for entirely online before travel.
Yes, unless their nationality is exempt.
No. Apply online before you travel.
Send us your travel dates and we will build an itinerary around your arrival and departure flights.
