Kenya’s electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system replaced the visa-on-arrival system in January 2024 and requires all international visitors to apply and receive approval online before boarding any Kenya-bound flight. The Kenya eTA electronic travel authorisation is not a traditional visa — it is a pre-travel authorisation that is approved digitally and linked to the passport, with no physical sticker or stamp required. For self-drive safari visitors planning a Kenya circuit in 2027/2028, applying for the Kenya eTA before departure is a mandatory step — airlines check eTA approval at check-in and can deny boarding to passengers without an approved eTA regardless of nationality.
Kenya eTA Application: Step-by-Step
- Website: Apply at the official Kenya eDiiwan portal (eta.immigration.go.ke — the official government application portal). Beware of unofficial third-party websites that charge inflated fees.
- Documents required: Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond the Kenya departure date), a recent passport-sized photograph (digital, uploaded during application), travel itinerary (hotel or accommodation confirmation, or hire company confirmation), return flight booking
- Fee: USD 30 for most nationalities (single entry, 90-day maximum stay). Some nationalities are exempt — check the Kenya immigration website for the current exempt-nationality list.
- Processing time: 72 hours in most cases — up to 5 business days at peak periods. Apply at minimum 5 business days before departure to allow for processing delays.
- Approval notification: Email notification when approved — download and save the eTA approval letter to a mobile device or print it. Present at airline check-in and on arrival at Kenya airport immigration.
Kenya eTA for Multi-Country Safari Visitors
- If entering Kenya as the first country on a multi-country East Africa circuit: apply for the Kenya eTA before departure
- If entering Kenya from Uganda or Tanzania overland: the eTA is still required — land border crossings at Busia (Uganda-Kenya), Namanga (Tanzania-Kenya), and Isebania (Tanzania-Kenya) all require the pre-approved eTA for non-exempt nationalities
- EAC (East African Community) member nationals (Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo DRC nationals): are generally exempt from Kenya eTA requirements — travel on their national ID card or passport without eTA
