Kenya eTA: Requirements and Application Process for Travelers

Nov 07, 2025 0

Kenya is waiting for you with open arms and a heart full of adventure. The Kenyan Authorities have recently changed their entry requirements. Previously, you would have been required to apply for an e-visa before arrival. Now, the eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is mandatory for all foreign visitors, making it easier than ever to explore this beautiful country.

The Kenya eTA is owned by the Government of the Republic of Kenya. It is a semi-automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to Kenya. An eTA offers permission to travel and is authorised by the Government of the Republic of Kenya. An eTA does not determine whether a traveller is admissible to enter Kenya. Immigration officers will determine admissibility upon travellers’ arrival. The eTA application collects biographic information and answers to eligibility questions from the traveller.

Let's delve into the requirements and the application process for a Kenya eTA to ensure your journey is as smooth as possible.

How to Apply for the KENYA E-Visa (eTA) Online – Step-by-Step Application Guide (2025)

Who Needs an eTA?

Yes, all foreign visitors must apply for an eTA. Each eligible traveller is required to apply for an eTA before starting travel. Passport holders from the following EAC countries are exempted from applying to an eTA: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Exceptions to Single Entry Validity

Your eTA is valid for a single entry into Kenya. However, there are some exceptions to this.

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Your eTA remains valid for more than one entry if:

You visit one of the following EAC Partner States: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, AND;
You don’t visit any other country, AND;
Your eTA has not expired (90 days from issuance)

You can also apply for a multiple entry eTA based on your nationality.

Benefits of the Kenya eTA System

Kenya eTA enables travellers to submit all relevant information and documentation from the comfort of their homes before starting their trip.

You came to Africa to live an experience - to see the lions, leopards, and great marching elephants up close. You’re here to take in the sweep of the painted landscapes, and the immediacy of the local people and their cultures. You traveled all this way for the unusual, the dramatic, and the exotic. And that’s what we strive to give you throughout your African safari with us.

At Africa Kenya Safaris we are always flexible with your options, we will offer our thoughts on seasons, budgets, lifestyle, accommodations, first-hand experience of the parks, and all the possible activities to fill out your safari story.

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Key Requirements for the Kenya eTA

Here are the main requirements you'll need to fulfill:

Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your intended date of entry into Kenya.
Recent Passport-Size Photo: A clear photo without hats or sunglasses is essential.
Accommodation Proof: You’ll need to upload proof of where you’re staying. A PDF or screenshot works. If you’re a tourist, you may submit a hotel booking confirmation.

Depending on your nationality, purpose of travel, and other factors, you may be asked to upload more documents.

For children under the age of 18, the legal guardian, parent or accompanying adult is responsible for filling in the application.

Step-by-Step Application Process

We have created an easy, step-by-step guide to help you tackle the task.

You are unable to apply any earlier than 3 months beforehand and no later than 4 days before you travel. Our concierge team will reach out to you around 2 months beforehand, prompting you to begin the ETA application. Don’t stress, you will have time to complete the application.

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Read the Declaration of Consent, select ‘I have read and agreed to the above’.
Select your Country of Residence.
Upload the photo of your Passport Bio-Data page. The system will automatically extract your full name, passport number, date of birth and passport expiring date from this image. Confirm that this information is correct, selecting the tick box to confirm this.
Upload your passport-style photograph or take a photograph using your webcam.
Select Tourism for PRIMARY PURPOSE OF VISIT.
Input your arrival details, departure details & addresses in Kenya. NB: The system will automatically generate relevant flight numbers and addresses for your selection. If you are arriving into Nairobi, you’ll most likely land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Input your country of birth, nationality at birth & marital status. Answer the personal questions.
Answer the relevant questions.
Answer the relevant questions.
Answer the relevant questions.
Please upload a copy of your flight booking confirmation. You’ll also need to upload the eTA letter, which will be provided by our concierge team - this serves as your “accommodation booking confirmation”. Finally, if you must upload a document under “previous eTA/visa” to continue, please upload once again the same eTA letter.
Select the appropriate tick box. NB: you are able to apply for an ETA on behalf of others.
Select Standard Processing at a cost of USD 32.50. Processing plus USD 1.59 Bank Fees). NB: based on your travel date, a Premium Service may appear to enable faster processing of the ETA.
A payment portal will appear, input your credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay details.
Your application details will appear on a successful submission summary page. Please use the link provided in your confirmation to check the progress of your ETA. Download your ETA as a PDF.

Use this number to check your application status.

If an applicant applied with mistakes, he or she might need to submit a new application. Your eTA application can be modified prior to submission. Prior to submitting an application with the required payment information, you can correct all application data fields.

We capture your name as it’s written in your passport. Where names are long in length, some of the characters might be cut off or omitted.

Application Steps for Your Convenience:

Upload the information page of your passport.
Capture a selfie using your webcam.
Fill in your contact details.
Provide your arrival, departure, and accommodation details in Kenya.
Complete the general information section.
Make a customs declaration.
Complete the health declaration.
Provide your travel insurance information.
Upload your accommodation booking confirmation and flight ticket/confirmation.
Add any additional documents if required.
Agree to the terms and conditions.

Processing Time and Validity

eTA applications for Kenya should be submitted at least 3 days prior to travel to ensure adequate time for authorisation. Submissions for the eTA can be made up to 90 days prior to travel. Applications are usually processed within 3 days, but in some cases it may take longer.

Processing times start on the next business day following submission and serve as indications of processing times under normal circumstances only.

If you need your application processed faster, you can choose expedited processing to receive priority service. We recommend applying for your eTA 2 weeks prior to travel. Travellers can submit their applications up to 3 months prior to travel. Your eTA is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance and you must travel during this period. It is only required for entry into Kenya and can only be used once.

Validity of visa starts from the date of issuance of visa. Maximum validity refers to the period over which you are allowed to enter a given country.

Cost of the Kenya eTA

For visitors, the system will require a valid credit or debit card to pay and complete the transaction. Cheques and cash are not accepted by the system. Citizens of certain nationalities are required to complete their eTA, however they are exempt from payment.

The standard processing fee is $32.50, plus a bank fee of $1.59, totaling $34.09.

Here’s a breakdown of potential costs:

Type of Entry	Maximum Validity	Processing Time	Embassy Fee	Service Fee	Total Cost
Single Entry (90 days stay)	Up to 90 days	2-3 business days	$35.00 - $37.90	$59.00 - $89.00	$94.00 - $124.00

Important Considerations

Non-Refundable Fees: Your eTA application fee is non-refundable. Once you submit your eTA application, the fee is non-refundable, and you cannot transfer it to another person. This is also true if your eTA is denied or if for any reason, including a force majeure, there are deviations to your planned journey.
Accuracy of Information: If you do not provide the requested information the Government of the Republic of Kenya will not be able to process your request, and you will be prohibited from travelling to the Republic of Kenya.
eTA is Not a Guarantee of Entry: An eTA does not determine whether a traveller is admissible to enter Kenya. Immigration officers will determine admissibility upon travellers’ arrival.
Denied Applications: If your application has been denied, you will not be allowed to travel at this moment.
Security: The Kenya eTA system is PCI compliant, encrypts all data transmission and does not store your credit card or payment information. Kenya eTA uses Stripe.com, one of the world leading and most secure payment gateway.
Boarding: An eTA is permission from the Government to travel to the Republic of Kenya and it is obligatory to present a valid eTA during the check-in and boarding process. However, you may still be denied boarding by your carrier if you fail to present other required documents such as your passport and/or boarding pass. In addition, you might be subjected to questioning at the point of departure or arrival.

Disclaimer: We have taken all reasonable care to ensure that the information provided to you is adequate. One of its processors is Travizory Border Security SA.