November 6, 2026
Key takeaways
- Kenya no longer issues traditional tourist visas to most visitors; the eTA replaced them in January 2024.
- Every traveller needs their own eTA, including infants and children, unless their nationality or status is exempt.
- The official site advises applying at least two weeks ahead. Processing is typically three working days and can take longer.
- Citizens of East African Community partner states and a list of other countries are exempt for set periods.
- An approved eTA lets you travel to Kenya, but the immigration officer at the point of entry makes the final decision.
What are the Kenya eTA requirements for 2027?
The Kenya eTA requirements listed on the official portal at the time of writing (November 2026) are a short set of documents that every applicant uploads or enters online. Nothing has been announced on the portal that changes this list for 2027, but rules can be revised, so check again before you apply.
Documents every applicant needs
- A passport valid for at least six months, with at least one blank page.
- A selfie or passport-style photo.
- Contact details: an email address and phone number.
- Your travel itinerary, showing arrival and departure.
- An accommodation booking confirmation.
- A payment method, such as a credit or debit card.
The portal also asks for vaccination or test certificates where they apply. Kenya asks for a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission, so check your route as well as your nationality.
Extra documents for some trips
Holiday visitors rarely need more than the list above. Business travellers are asked for an invitation letter and company registration copy, and people visiting family for a letter and identity document from their host. The full list is on the eTA general information page.
Who needs an eTA and who is exempt?
Most foreign nationals need an approved eTA before the start of their journey; the main exceptions are East African Community citizens, nationals of a published list of countries, and passengers in transit who stay inside the airport. The portal states that all visitors, including infants and children, must have one unless exempt.
Exemptions listed on the official portal
- East African Community partner states: citizens of Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, for up to 180 days.
- A list of countries exempt for up to 90 days: it includes South Africa, Ethiopia, Botswana, Ghana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore, Cyprus and a number of Caribbean and Pacific states.
- A further list of African countries exempt for up to 60 days: it includes Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Cameroon and Tunisia.
- Residents: holders of Kenyan permanent residence, valid work permits and passes.
- Transit passengers: those who arrive and leave on the same aircraft, or transfer to another aircraft, without leaving the airport.
These lists are long and have been extended more than once. Travellers from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, India, China and most European Union countries are not on the exemption lists we checked, so they should plan to apply. Always confirm your own nationality on the official page.
How do you complete the Kenya eTA application?
You complete the Kenya eTA application online at etakenya.go.ke or in the official Kenya Travel Authorisation mobile app. Each traveller needs a separate application, although one person can apply for a family or group.
- Go to the official site and select Apply Now. Choose the group option if you are applying for several people.
- Enter passport, contact and trip details exactly as they appear on your documents.
- Upload your photo and supporting documents, including flight and accommodation details.
- Check every field, then pay the fee by card.
- Watch for the emails confirming receipt, payment and the decision.
- Download or print the approved eTA. You show it when you depart and when you arrive.
You can follow progress with the Check Status button and your reference number. If something is unclear, the portal lists email, phone and WhatsApp contacts for the eTA team.
Use the official website only
Many look-alike websites charge a mark-up to submit the same form. The Kenyan government directs applicants to its own site and app. If a page does not end in go.ke, treat it as unofficial.
How much does the eTA cost and how long does it take?
At the time of writing (November 2026), the official FAQ states that standard processing starts at US$30 per person, with an additional charge for expedited processing. Card or payment charges may be added at checkout, so the amount you pay can be slightly higher.
Processing is typically three working days but may take longer. Expedited applications are handled faster for the extra fee. The portal’s own advice is to apply at least two weeks before you travel, which leaves time to correct a rejected photo or a mistyped passport number.
A note on travel health insurance
Since October 2026 there have been reports that the eTA application also asks for inbound travel health insurance, following a government notice gazetted in July 2026. The official eTA pages we checked did not yet describe this step, so we cannot confirm the details. Follow the prompts in the live application and allow for it in your budget.
Do you need anything else as a Kenya visa for safari?
For most holidaymakers the eTA is the only Kenya visa for safari travel that you need, but other Kenya entry requirements still apply at the border. Carry the same passport you applied with, proof of onward travel and your accommodation details.
- Passport validity: six months and one blank page, as above. Renew early if you are close.
- Flying safaris: light-aircraft flights to the parks are domestic, so no further immigration check applies once you are in Kenya.
- Cross-border trips: if your route continues into Tanzania, Uganda or Rwanda, each country has its own entry rules. Check whether you will need a new eTA to return to Kenya.
- Itinerary proof: a confirmed safari itinerary with lodge names is normally what applicants use as their accommodation confirmation.
Once the paperwork is done, the planning is the enjoyable part. Our Kenya travel guide covers regions and seasons, and the Masai Mara tours page shows typical routes from Nairobi.
What does the eTA process look like at a glance?
The table below summarises what the official portal says at the time of writing (November 2026). Treat it as a checklist and confirm each line when you apply.
| Item | What the official portal says |
|---|---|
| Who must apply | All visitors, including infants and children, unless exempt |
| Where to apply | etakenya.go.ke or the Kenya Travel Authorisation app |
| Passport | Valid for at least six months, one blank page |
| Supporting documents | Photo, contact details, itinerary, accommodation booking |
| Standard fee | From US$30 per person |
| Processing time | Typically three working days; may take longer |
| When to apply | At least two weeks before travel |
| East African Community citizens | Exempt for up to 180 days |
| At the border | Entry is decided by the immigration officer |
What are the common eTA mistakes to avoid?
Most delays come from small errors rather than refusals. A few habits prevent nearly all of them.
- Applying on an unofficial website and paying more than the government fee.
- Typing a passport number or date of birth that does not match the passport.
- Uploading a dark, cropped or filtered photo.
- Leaving the application until the week of travel.
- Forgetting that children need their own eTA.
- Renewing a passport after approval. The eTA is linked to the passport you applied with.
How Ramja Safaris can help
Ramja Safaris cannot apply for an eTA on your behalf, but once you book we provide the confirmed itinerary and accommodation details that the application asks for. Browse our Kenya safaris, read the safari FAQs, or request a quote for your dates. If you plan to cross into Tanzania, see the 9-day Kenya and Tanzania safari for an idea of the route.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for a safari in Kenya?
Most visitors do not apply for a traditional visa. Instead they need an approved electronic travel authorisation, or eTA, before travel. Citizens of East African Community partner states and some other countries are exempt for set periods.
How long does a Kenya eTA take to be approved?
The official portal says applications are typically processed in three working days, but some take longer. It advises applying at least two weeks before travel. An expedited service is available for an additional fee.
How much is the Kenya eTA?
At the time of writing (November 2026), the official FAQ states that standard processing starts at US$30 per person. Expedited processing costs extra, and card charges may be added at checkout. Confirm the amount on etakenya.go.ke.
Do children need a Kenya eTA?
Yes. The official portal states that all visitors, including infants and children, must have an approved eTA before the start of their journey, unless they are exempt. A parent can apply for the whole family in one group application.
Can I get an eTA on arrival in Kenya?
No. The eTA must be approved before you start your journey, and airlines check for it at departure. The portal warns that travellers without one may be denied boarding or face a penalty fee on arrival.
