Since January 2024, Kenya has not required a traditional visa for entry. Instead, almost all visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) - a form completed online before you travel, at etakenya.go.ke. It is not a visa in the old sense, but it plays the same role: without an approved eTA, you should not expect to be allowed to board your flight.
Most non-African nationalities need an eTA, including infants and children. Citizens of most African countries are currently exempt and can enter visa-free for a limited period, and East African Community citizens have their own arrangements. Since exemption lists do change, check your specific nationality on the official eTA portal before you travel rather than assuming.
A passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date with at least one blank page, a recent passport-style photo, your travel itinerary or flight booking, and accommodation details. If you are arriving from a yellow fever risk country, you will also need your vaccination certificate - see our separate guide on Kenya's yellow fever requirements.
Apply online no more than 90 days before you travel, and at least a few days in advance - standard processing has taken up to three business days, with an expedited option available for an extra fee if you need a faster turnaround. Fees are set by the Kenyan government and are paid on the official portal; we'd rather point you to that official source than quote a figure here that could go out of date.
Only use the official Kenyan government eTA portal (etakenya.go.ke) - a number of unofficial third-party sites charge extra fees for the same service. An approved eTA is also not an absolute guarantee of entry; immigration officers still make the final decision when you land.
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