The Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is the online permission most foreign visitors need before they fly to Kenya. According to the official portal, it replaces traditional visa requirements for most travellers, and you apply for it online before your trip. This guide explains who needs one, who is exempt, what it costs, which documents to prepare, and how to extend your stay once you are in Kenya. Every rule below comes from Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services and its official eTA portal.
What is the Kenya eTA?
The Kenya eTA is an online travel authorisation run by the Directorate of Immigration Services under the Ministry of Interior and National Administration. It gives you permission to travel to Kenya, but it is not the final authority to enter: admissibility is determined at the point of entry.
In practice, this means the eTA lets you board your flight, and the immigration officer at the airport or border makes the final decision when you arrive. Keep your supporting documents with you in case the officer asks to see them.
Who needs a Kenya eTA?
The Directorate of Immigration Services states that all visitors, including infants and children, must have an approved eTA before they start their journey, unless they fall under an official exemption. Each traveller needs their own eTA, even when a family or group applies together.
The portal is clear on this point: an eTA is required for each passenger when travelling as a group. You can use the “Apply as a Group” option to submit everyone in one session, but every person still receives their own authorisation.
Who is exempt from the Kenya eTA?
Citizens of the East African partner states listed by the Directorate, namely Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, are exempt for stays of up to 180 days. Many other nationalities are exempt for up to 90 or 60 days under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules, 2025.
The official exemption list includes:
- Up to 180 days: citizens of Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
- Up to 90 days: nationals of countries including Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Malaysia, Singapore and several Caribbean and Pacific states.
- Up to 60 days: nationals of countries including Djibouti, Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan, Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia and Madagascar.
- Residents: holders of Kenya Permanent Residence, valid work permits and passes, and people whose passports carry a valid Kenya re-entry pass.
- Transit passengers who stay inside the airport and connect to another flight without leaving the airport precincts.
The full list, including exemptions for crew and holders of certain official laissez-passers, is on the official eTA general information page. Check your own passport against it before you book, because the list has changed since the eTA was introduced.
Do Somali passport holders need a Kenya eTA?
Yes. Somalia does not appear on the official eTA exemption list, so Somali passport holders must apply for an eTA before travelling to Kenya, including for short family visits.
This surprises many travellers, because neighbouring Ethiopia and Djibouti are on the exemption list. If you are visiting relatives in Kenya, the portal says you may also need an invitation letter from your host and a copy of your host’s ID card, passport, alien card or entry permit. Prepare these before you start the application so you do not have to stop halfway.
How much does a Kenya eTA cost?
The Kenya eTA costs $30 for most travellers, which is the official fee for a standard single-entry eTA on the official eTA eligibility page. Only a few travellers pay a different amount: people in transit, people who need multiple entries, and anyone who pays extra for immediate expedited processing.
For those less common cases, these are the official fees:
| eTA type | What it is for | Official fee |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | A single entry into Kenya (most travellers) | $30 |
| Transit eTA | Travellers on a transit flight through Kenya | $20 |
| One Year Multi-Entry eTA | Multiple entries over one year | $300 |
| Five Year Multi-Entry eTA | American nationals visiting many times over five years | $185 |
| Expedited processing | Immediate processing instead of up to 72 hours | +$100 |
Fees and categories are set by the Government of Kenya and can change, so confirm the amount on the eligibility page before you pay. The portal also lists an East African Tourist eTA as “coming soon”.
What documents do I need for a Kenya eTA?
Every applicant needs a passport valid for at least six months after arrival with at least one blank page, a selfie or passport-type photo, an email address and phone number, arrival and departure details, and an accommodation booking. You also need a credit card, debit card or other means of payment.
Depending on why you are travelling, the portal says you may also need:
- Family visit: an invitation letter from your host and a copy of the host’s ID, passport, alien card or entry permit.
- Business: an invitation letter from the company and a copy of its registration.
- Medical treatment: a letter or appointment letter from the referring doctor or hospital.
- Conference: an invitation or participation letter.
- Work or resettlement: an employment contract or supporting resettlement documents.
- Health: vaccination or test result certificates, where applicable.
How do I apply for a Kenya eTA step by step?
You apply on etakenya.go.ke or the official “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app, which are the only official channels. You fill in each traveller’s details, pay online, and receive email updates until an immigration officer approves or refuses the application.
The steps, as listed by the portal:
- Go to etakenya.go.ke and click “Apply Now”.
- Choose a single application or “Apply as a Group” if several people are travelling together.
- Enter the traveller’s details and upload the documents, checking everything carefully.
- Submit the application and pay. You receive an email confirming receipt and another confirming payment.
- Wait for the immigration officer’s decision, which arrives by email.
- Track progress at any time with the “Check Status” button and the reference number from your email.
Someone else can apply for you, such as a relative or a travel agent. The portal says this is allowed as long as the traveller’s information is provided and you indicate you are applying on their behalf.
How long does a Kenya eTA take to process?
The Directorate says eTA applications are processed within three working days, and expedited applications are processed immediately. Even so, the portal recommends applying at least two weeks before travel to allow for delays during verification.
Applying early matters most around Eid, school holidays and the end of the year, when many families travel at once. If your trip is less than three working days away, the expedited option is the safer choice.
How long is a Kenya eTA valid, and how long can I stay?
An approved eTA is valid for travel within 90 days from the date of issuance. How long you may stay in Kenya is decided by the immigration officer at the point of entry, not by the eTA itself.
Book your flight so that you arrive within that 90-day window. If your plans move beyond it, you will need a new eTA.
What happens after my Kenya eTA is approved or refused?
If your eTA is approved, print the PDF attached to the approval email, or save it on your phone or in the official app, because you must show it at departure and on arrival. If it is refused, you cannot travel to Kenya for the moment, and you should contact the eTA team for details.
Do not try to travel without an approved eTA. The official portal warns that failure to submit your information before departure may lead to being denied boarding or a penalty fee on arrival.
Can I extend my stay in Kenya?
Yes. A visitor’s pass issued at the point of entry can be extended to a maximum of six months by applying online at fns.immigration.go.ke, which generates Form 22.
The Directorate lists these requirements for an extension:
- An online application on fns.immigration.go.ke, which generates Form 22.
- A copy of the bio-data page of your passport.
- A copy of your previous visa or entry endorsement.
- Proof of any pending application, such as a permit or pass, where applicable.
On fees, the official page is not consistent. It shows an application and processing fee of USD 50 but also states that the service attracts no charges, so confirm the amount on the portal before you pay. Apply before your current pass expires. Our visa renewal service can help you prepare the documents.
How do I avoid Kenya eTA scams?
Apply only through etakenya.go.ke or the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” app, because the government states that eTA applications must be completed only through the official website or the official mobile application. If a website’s address does not end in etakenya.go.ke, it is not the government portal.
Some websites look official but charge extra fees on top of the government price. If someone offers to apply for you, ask them to show you that the application is being submitted on the official portal, and check the fee against the table above.
Where can I get official help with my Kenya eTA?
The eTA team can be reached on WhatsApp at +254 110 922 064 or by phone at +254 717 436 070. The Directorate of Immigration Services also lists +254 110 922 062, +254 110 922 063 and the email etakenya@immigration.go.ke.
Have your application reference number ready when you contact them. It is in the first email you receive after submitting.
Can Sky Bridge Travel Agency help with my Kenya eTA?
Yes. Our team in Eastleigh, Nairobi can check your documents and submit your application on your behalf through the official portal, which the eTA rules allow. We can also book your flight to Nairobi and arrange a pickup from JKIA when you land.
Chat with us on WhatsApp, call +254 720 830 177, or visit us at Al Mukkaram Shopping, Floor 5 Room 7, Eastleigh. You can also see what we offer for travel in Kenya.
About this guide: Last checked against official sources on 23 September 2026. Written by the Sky Bridge Travel Agency team in Eastleigh, Nairobi. All rules, fees and requirements are taken from the official Kenya eTA portal and the Directorate of Immigration Services. Immigration rules can change at short notice, so always confirm on the official portal before you travel.