Kenya eTA Application Guide

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International travellers visiting to explore Kenya can experience a smooth and effortless entry process. The Kenya eTA offers an easy and streamlined online visa process for travellers. The eTA process is faster and simpler than the traditional Kenya visas. The Kenya eTA initiative was launched in January 2024. It also helps to enhance Kenya’s border security systems. The Kenya eTA is an essential travel permit for most international travellers entering Kenya.

Kenya eTA

Kenya eTA is an online travel document. It accesses the traveller’s information and authorizes them to enter and explore Kenya for a short period. Kenya eTA is a pre-authorization process, so travellers must get it before arriving in Kenya. Travellers do not have to visit the Kenya embassy or consulate because Kenya eTA is an online process that can be completed from their homes. The application processing time is fast and travellers can get their Kenya eTA within three business days from the eTA application submission date.

Kenya eTA Document Requirements

Applicants need to have the documents listed below for the Kenya eTA application process online.

  • A valid passport
  • Hotel booking confirmation (for accommodation proof)
  • A recent colour photo
  • Travel itinerary
  • Round trip or return ticket confirmation document
  • A valid card to pay the Kenya eTA fee
  • An email ID

Confirmation of the travel plan is an important requirement because travellers must provide their arrival and departure dates. An invitation letter, business proposal document or similar proof is necessary for a business visit to Kenya.

Who Can Get Kenya eTA?

Citizens of the EAC states do not need to get Kenya eTA to visit Kenya. Other than the citizens of EAC states, all eligible foreign travellers can get Kenya eTA to plan a stay in the country. Please note that Kenya eTA only permits the following travel activities.

  • Tourism
  • Business visits (conducting business conferences or attending meetings)
  • Visiting friends and family members
  • Transit purposes

Kenya eTA is for short-stays only and travellers are not allowed to reside in Kenya using eTA. Most importantly, travellers cannot engage in employment (paid or unpaid work-related activities) using their Kenya eTA. International travellers need a valid Kenya work visa or permit to reside and work in Kenya.

Countries Eligible for Kenya

  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Andorra
  • Angola
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Benin
  • Bhutan
  • Bolivia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Cape Verde
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Comoros
  • Congo
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cuba
  • Czech Republic
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Denmark
  • Djibouti
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Gabon
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Guatemala
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Ivory Coast
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Laos
  • Latvia
  • Liberia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Macedonia
  • Madagascar
  • Mali
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritania
  • Mexico
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palau
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Reunion
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sudan
  • Suriname
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Timor-Leste
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
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Kenya eTA FAQ's

Kenya eTA (electronic travel authorization) is an online authorization system introduced in January 2024. It was implemented by the Kenya government to provide a more effective and convenient entry process for travellers. It offers a simplified application process that is easy to complete without any hardships. Kenya eTA is a pre-authorization process for international travellers visiting Kenya and the eTA travel permit is issued online.

All eligible nationals must obtain a Kenya eTA before travelling to Kenya. The citizens of EAC (East African Community) are exempt from getting Kenya eTA. The EAC comprises the following states Tanzania, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

International travellers who satisfy the following conditions do not have to get an eTA for their Kenya travel.

  • Kenya passport or one-way Emergency Certificate holders (from Kenya Missions abroad)
  • Having a valid work permit or passes
  • Kenya permanent residence card holders
  • Citizens of EAC partner states
  • Transit travellers staying within the airport premises
  • Travellers arriving and leaving through the same ship and not leaving the ship

The Kenya eTA permit is valid for single entry, which means travellers can enter Kenya only once. Travellers cannot use their Kenya eTA to re-enter Kenya after exiting the country. To re-enter Kenya travellers must apply for a new eTA each time.

Kenya eTA is a suitable entry permit for short-term visits. Travellers entering Kenya with Kenya eTA can stay in the country for up to three months (90 days) from their entry date. It is a single-entry permit and eTA travellers can enter and exit the country one time only.

All foreign nationals who are planning to apply for Kenya eTA must fulfill the following requirements.

  • Traveller’s purpose of visiting Kenya can only be tourism, visiting friends and relatives (also family members), investment and business activities.
  • The traveller’s length of stay in Kenya cannot exceed the Kenya eTA permitted duration of stay, which is three months only.
  • Travellers cannot engage in employment activities such as paid or unpaid work.

From the date of issuance, the Kenya eTA is valid for 90 days (which is three months). The authorized stay duration is three months. Travellers intended stay duration in Kenya cannot exceed 90 days. The eTA only permits single entry.

The documents travellers need to apply for Kenya eTA are as follows.

  • A valid passport (it must have one or two blank pages)
  • Travel itinerary (with traveller’s arrival and departure date)
  • Accommodation proof
  • Recent colour photo
  • Round trip or return ticket
  • Cards or online payment methods for paying the eTA application fee

 

The additional documents list includes bank statements for financial proof, business invitation letters (or agreement documents for business visits) and health documents (Yellow fever vaccination certificate). Travellers must submit the additional document if required.

The processing time of a Kenya eTA application is 72 hours (around three business days). Travellers must submit their Kenya eTA application at least four to five days before their departure date. If there are any delays in the Kenya eTA application process travellers can handle it effectively.

Mostly, travellers Kenya eTA applications will be processed within the given timeframe (3 business days), but sometimes delays might occur due to various factors such as peak tourist seasons, increasing volume of applications, submitting the eTA application form with errors, etc.

Follow the below steps to apply for Kenya eTA.

  • Check the eligibility and the documents needed for the Kenya eTA process.
  • Visit the Kenya eTA online portal and click the eTA application form.
  • Provide accurate details and complete the Kenya eTA application form
  • Upload the documents.
  • Review the application form to correct the errors and mistakes (if any).
  • Submit the form after checking its details.
  • Pay the Kenya eTA application fee online.

 

Wait for the approval which might take around three working days. Upon approval of the eTA application travellers will receive an email. Once you receive the eTA, check its details for accuracy.

Travellers can stay longer in Kenya by extending their Kenya eTA. They must submit an extension application at the Kenya immigration office. Please note that travellers must have a valid reason to apply for an eTA extension and they should complete the extension process within the expiry of their current Kenya eTA.

Travellers must pay an extension fee and submit all the documents when applying for the Kenya eTA extension process.

Every applicant can check the current status of the Kenya eTA application. They have to visit the Kenya eTA website and select the “check Kenya eTA application status” option. Then, enter the passport number, Kenya eTA application number and DOB. Verify the details and click the check status tab to view the eTA application status.

Travellers may not need a print copy of their Kenya eTA because it will be linked to their passports. However, having a print copy is advisable because it might be useful.

Immediate reapplication for Kenya eTA is possible. However, it is crucial to analyse and find out the reason for rejection. It also helps to avoid further unsuccessful eTA application outcomes. After addressing the rejection issues and ensuring that all the details are correct travellers can reapply immediately for Kenya eTA.

Travellers cannot work or engage in work-related activities with a Kenya eTA. Travellers need a specific type of Kenya work visa or permit to engage in any form of employment in Kenya. Kenya eTA is valid only for short-term tourism and business activities.

The yellow fever vaccination certificate is not a necessary health document for all foreign travellers. Travellers (including minors) entering Kenya from the yellow fever transmission risk countries must submit the vaccination certificate.

All international travellers should have their own Kenya eTA when visiting the country. The Kenya eTA application for minors can be submitted by the accompanying adults (parents or legal guardians). Group application is recommended for families.

Travellers can choose a group application when travelling with many individuals (family or friend group). It will make the Kenya eTA application process easy. One individual can fill out the Kenya eTA application form on behalf of the other members of the group.

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ETA Application Steps
STEP 1

Fill online visa application

STEP 2

Make payment

STEP 3

Receive approved visa by Email

Stay Duration and Validity of Kenya eTA

The validity period of Kenya eTA is three months, travellers must plan their travel within their validity period. The maximum stay duration allowed is 90 days from the traveller’s arrival date. Please note that Kenya eTA is a single-entry travel permit. The eTA allows travellers to enter and exit Kenya only once. Travellers cannot re-enter Kenya using their same eTA, they must apply for a new eTA to re-enter Kenya.

Filling Out the Kenya eTA Application Form

Travellers must apply online for Kenya eTA. It allows visitors to apply conveniently from their homes without having to visit or book appointments at the Kenya consulate or embassy.

  • Understand the Kenya eTA requirements and access the Kenya eTA online website to fill out the application form.
  • Applicants must complete the Kenya eTA application form with correct information, including basic contact details, passport information, and other relevant data.
  • Upload of all the essential documents scanned copy.
  • Review the details to make sure the Kenya eTA application form is error-free.
  • Submit the eTA application form.
  • Choose any of the payment methods and pay the fee.

Check the Kenya eTA fee and arrange an adequate amount before the Kenya eTA application process. Applicants will receive an email about confirmation of the Kenya eTA. To stay informed about the application status, applicants can check their email ID or use their application number to check their Kenya eTA application status online. Checking the Kenya eTA status also requires the applicant’s DOB and passport number.

Kenya eTA Processing Time

The application processing time is usually 72 hours (3 days). However, the processing time might vary because of various factors such as additional security checks, application volume, mismatching information in the provided documents and many more. Travellers are recommended to submit their Kenya eTA application at least 4 to five days before their departure date. It will also provide adequate time to handle unforeseen issues like delays, if any.

Kenya Entry Requirements

After receiving the approved Kenya eTA, it is essential to print at least one copy of the eTA to present at the airport (if required) along with the following documents.

  • The same passport was used during the Kenya eTA application process
  • Financial proof of adequate funds to support the entire stay
  • Travel details
  • Confirmation of hotel reservation receipt or document

Kenya eTA for Minors

Even minors and children need their own Kenya eTA to stay in Kenya. The legal guardians or parents of the minor can submit a Kenya eTA application on their kid’s behalf. Travellers can opt for group applications when applying for Kenya eTA if they are travelling with their family or friends.

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