Kenya no longer issues visas on arrival. Every visitor needs an eTA (electronic Travel Authorisation). Here is exactly how to apply, what it costs and how to avoid the common mistakes.
Since January 2024, Kenya has scrapped traditional visas entirely. Every foreign visitor, from every country, needs an eTA (electronic Travel Authorisation) before boarding a flight to Kenya. In 2026 the system is mature and smooth, but only if you apply the right way. Here's the complete picture.
The essentials at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who needs it? | All non-Kenyan citizens (incl. US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia) |
| Where to apply | www.etakenya.go.ke (the ONLY official site) |
| Cost | $34 USD per person (including card fees) |
| Official processing time | Up to 72 hours |
| Typical processing time | 6–24 hours |
| Validity | Single entry, stay up to 90 days |
| Children | Every child needs their own eTA (under-16s are fee-exempt but still need approval) |
| East Africa exemption | Citizens of EAC member states don't need an eTA |
How to apply, step by step
1. Go to etakenya.go.ke. Ignore every other site: dozens of lookalike agencies charge $80–$120 for the same $34 authorisation. 2. Create an account and start an application for each traveller. 3. Upload a passport photo page scan, a selfie photo, your flight details and your first night's accommodation (your safari confirmation from us covers this). 4. Pay by card. The fee is $34 all-in. 5. You'll receive the eTA by email as a PDF. Print one copy and keep one on your phone.
When should you apply?
Apply two weeks before departure. That is the sweet spot: early enough to absorb any delay, late enough that your plans are fixed. The earliest you can apply is three months out; the latest we'd ever recommend is 5 days before flying.
Common mistakes that delay approval
- Blurry passport scans. The photo page must be sharp, flat and complete, corners visible.
- Name mismatches. The name on the eTA must match the passport exactly, including middle names.
- Using an agency site. Besides overcharging, third-party sites sometimes submit sloppy applications that get queried.
- Applying with under 6 months' passport validity. Kenya requires your passport to be valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, with 2 blank pages.
Transit, cruise passengers and returning travellers
Airside transit under 8 hours without leaving the airport doesn't require an eTA. Cruise passengers get shore passes through the ship's agent. And because the eTA is single entry, a Kenya → Tanzania → Kenya combined safari needs a second eTA for re-entry, budget the extra $34.
What happens on arrival
Immigration scans the eTA QR code, takes fingerprints and a photo, stamps you in, and you're off. With the eTA pre-approved, the queue at Jomo Kenyatta moves quickly: most of our guests clear immigration in under 30 minutes and meet their guide within the hour.
Planning a safari and want us to sanity-check your paperwork timeline? Send us your dates, we walk every guest through the entry requirements as part of trip planning, at no charge.
