Visa Requirements
The Ministry of Interior and National Administration, State Department for Immigration Directorate of Immigration Services has developed and is operating the Republic of Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Kenya eTA is a semi-automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to Kenya. An eTA offers permission to travel and is authorized by the Government of the Republic of Kenya. The possession of an eTA is not the final authority to enter the Republic of Kenya.
Admissibility will be determined at the point of entry.
The eTA application collects biographic information and answers to eligibility questions from the traveler. eTA applications for Kenya are usually processed in 3 days and there is an urgent processing service, however, it is recommended applications be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to travel to ensure adequate time for processing.
Persons who are exempt from obtaining the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) as per the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules, 2025
- Holders of Kenya Permanent Residence, valid Work Permits and Passes.
- All persons whose passports are endorsed with valid Kenya reentry passes or any other written authority in lieu of a re-entry pass.
- Citizens of the East African Partner States: These countries include Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda for a period not exceeding 180 days.
- Nationals of the following Countries for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days
Nationals of the following Countries for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days
- Barbados
- Belize
- Botswana
- Brunei
- Cyprus
- Dominica
- Eritrea
- ESwatini
- Ethiopia
- Fiji Island
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Papua New Guinea
- Union of Comoros
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- South Africa
- St. Kitts and Navis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the
- Grenadines
- Swaziland
- The Bahamas
- The Gambia
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- The Republic of Congo
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Nationals of the following African countries for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Cape Verde
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gabon
- Guinea
- Guinea Bissau
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sudan
- Togo
- Tunisia
- All passengers in transit through Kenya arriving and leaving by the same aircraft or transferring to another aircraft and who do not leave the precincts of Airports in Kenya.
- All passengers arriving and leaving by the same ship, and who do not leave the ship.
- Members of crew of any ship, aircraft, train, vehicle or carrier; whose name and particulars are included in the crew manifest of the ship, aircraft or carrier; and who is proceeding in such ship, aircraft or carrier to a destination outside Kenya.
- Owners of private aircraft stopping over for refueling in Kenya and who do not leave the precincts of the airport,
- Holders of United Nations Organization Laissez-passers whilst on official UN Business.
- Holders of African Development Bank Laissez-passers, whilst on official A.D.B. business.
- Holders of Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa Laissez-passers, whilst on official BADEA business.
- Holders of International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa Laissez-passers, whilst on official I.R.L.C.O. business.
- Holders of Desert Locust Control Organization Laissez-passers, whilst on official D,L.C.O, business.
- Holders of COMESA Laissez-passers, whilst on official COMESA business.
- Holders of COMESA Laissez-passers, whilst on official COMESA business.
- Holders of International Monetary Fund and World Bank Laissez —passers whilst on official IMF/World Bank Business.
- Holders of Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Laissez-passers whilst on official IGAD business.
- Holders of African Airlines Travel Association (IATA) Laissez-passers whilst on official business.
- Holders of Environment Liaison Centre International (ELCI) Laissez-passers whilst on official ELCI business.
- Holders of Union of Radio, Television Network of Africa (URTNA) Laissez-passers whilst on official URTNA business.
- Holders of International Labour Organization (ILO) Laissez —passers whilst on official ILO business.
- Holders of Preferential Trade Area/Common Market of East & Southern African Bank — assers whilst on official PTA COMESA business.
- Holders of European Union Laissez — passers whilst on official European Union business.
- Holders of CIP (International Potato Centre) Laissez — passers whilst on official CIP business.
- Holders of African Reinsurance Corporation (ARC) Laissez —passers whilst on official ARC business.
- Holders of African Housing Fund (AHF) Laissez —passers whilst on official AHF business.
- Holders of African Export — Import Bank (AfreximBank) Laissez -passers whilst on official AfreximBank business.
- Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports from The Islamic Republic of Iran for a period not exceeding (30) Days stay.
- Holders of Diplomatic, Official, Special, and Service Passports, from The Republic of Turkey and members of their families holding valid Diplomatic, Official, Special, and Service Passports, while on Transit or Stay not exceeding ninety (90) days.
- Holders of Diplomatic, Official or Service Passports from the Republic of India for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days.
- Holders of Diplomatic, Official or Service Passports from the People’s Republic of China for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days.
- Serving Members of the British Military.
Required Documents
Before starting your application, ensure you have the following:
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity with at least one blank page)
- Selfie or passport-type photo
- Contact details (email & phone number)
- Travel itinerary (arrival & departure)
- Accommodation booking confirmation
- Payment method (credit/debit card, etc.)
Additional Documents (Depending on Your Travel Purpose)
- Medical: Referral letter from hospital
- Conference: Invitation/participation letter
- Employment: Contract document
- Resettlement: Supporting documents
- Vaccination or test results certificates
For Business Travelers
- Invitation letter from the company
- Company registration copy
For Family Visits
- Invitation letter from host
- Host’s ID/Passport/Alien Card/Entry permit
For Diplomatic Travel
- Diplomatic, Official, or Service passport
- Official letter from country of origin/organization
Processing time is typically three (3) working days, but it may take longer in some cases.
For assistance:
Email at etakenva@ecitizen.go.ke or reach out to us on WhatsApp at +254 110 922 064 or call us at +254 717 436 070
