Most visitors do not need a traditional visa to enter Kenya, but most foreign travellers must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling. Kenya replaced its traditional visa system with the eTA, which is applied for online before your journey.
Whether you need a Kenya eTA depends on your nationality, passport and travel circumstances. Citizens of Kenya, citizens of East African Community (EAC) partner states and certain other exempt travellers do not need an eTA.
For travellers who do require an eTA, you must receive approval before starting your journey to Kenya. An approved eTA allows you to travel to Kenya, although final admission is determined by immigration officers when you arrive.
Do I Need a Visa for Kenya?
No traditional tourist visa is generally required for Kenya. Instead, eligible foreign visitors need a Kenya eTA before travelling.
The eTA is an electronic travel authorisation issued by the Kenyan government. It applies to visitors travelling to Kenya for tourism, business and other permitted purposes.
So if you are planning a Kenya safari, holiday, business trip or visit to friends and family, the first thing to check is whether your passport requires an eTA or falls under one of Kenya’s exemptions.
Apply for a Kenya eTA through the official government portal
Do You Need a Visa to Go to Kenya?
For most travellers, you do not need to apply for a traditional Kenyan visa. If your nationality is not exempt, you need to apply for an eTA online before travelling.
The eTA requirement applies to travellers entering Kenya by air, land or sea, subject to the applicable exemptions.
Importantly, you cannot simply arrive in Kenya and apply for the eTA at the airport. Travellers who require an eTA should have an approved authorisation before beginning their journey.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Kenya for a Safari?
No separate visa is required for a Kenya safari.
If you are visiting the Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo National Park, Samburu or other safari destinations, your immigration requirements are the same as for entering Kenya generally.
For example, a traveller flying from Europe to Nairobi and then continuing to the Masai Mara does not need a separate “Masai Mara visa.” If an eTA is required for their nationality, the Kenya eTA is the relevant travel authorisation.
Your safari operator may also ask for your passport details and eTA approval as part of your travel arrangements.
Who Needs a Kenya eTA?
Most foreign visitors who are not exempt need an approved eTA before travelling to Kenya.
Kenya’s current exemption rules include:
Kenyan citizens
Citizens of EAC partner states: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda
Holders of valid Kenyan permanent residence, work permits or passes
Certain travellers transiting through Kenya without leaving the airport
Certain crew members
Certain diplomatic, official and international organisation travellers
Nationals of other countries specifically listed by Kenya as eTA-exempt
The exemption list is subject to Kenyan immigration rules, so travellers should check their specific nationality rather than assuming that every foreign passport requires an eTA.
Which Countries Are Exempt from Kenya’s eTA?
Kenya currently exempts citizens of the EAC partner states from the eTA requirement. These are:
Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Kenya also has a list of other countries whose nationals may enter without an eTA for stays of up to 90 days, subject to the applicable rules. The official eTA website provides the current country-by-country eligibility information.
If your country is not on an exemption list, you should expect to apply for an eTA before travelling.
Do Indians Need a Visa for Kenya?
Indian citizens travelling on ordinary passports generally need to obtain a Kenya eTA before travelling. They do not apply for the old-style Kenyan tourist visa.
There are specific exemptions for certain diplomatic, official and service passport holders, so the requirement can differ depending on the type of Indian passport and purpose of travel.
How Do I Get a Visa for Kenya?
If by “Kenya visa” you mean the permission required for an ordinary tourist visit, you should apply for a Kenya eTA online.
The process is:
Go to the official Kenya eTA website.
Select the appropriate travel authorisation.
Enter your passport and personal information.
Provide your travel and accommodation details.
Upload the required documents.
Pay the applicable fee.
Submit the application.
Wait for approval before travelling.
The Kenyan government states that eTA applications are generally processed within three working days, although processing can take longer in some cases. Kenya recommends applying at least two weeks before travel to allow sufficient time.
How Do I Apply for a Kenya Visa?
For most ordinary visitors, the application is now an eTA application rather than a traditional visa application.
You will normally need:
A passport valid for at least six months after your planned arrival
At least one blank passport page
A passport-style photograph or selfie
Your email address and telephone number
Arrival and departure details
Accommodation booking information
A payment card or other accepted payment method
Additional documents may be required depending on the purpose of your trip. Business travellers, people visiting family and travellers coming to Kenya for specific purposes may have additional requirements.
How Much Is a Kenya Visa?
If you need the standard Kenya eTA, the current government-listed fee is USD 30, excluding applicable payment charges.
Other eTA categories have different fees. For example, the official eTA system currently lists:
Standard eTA: USD 30
Transit eTA: USD 20
One-year multiple-entry eTA: USD 300
Five-year multiple-entry eTA for eligible US nationals: USD 185
Expedited processing: additional fee applies
Fees and available categories can change, so check the official eTA portal before applying.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Kenya Visa?
The Kenya eTA is generally processed within three working days, although some applications can take longer if additional verification is required.
Kenya recommends submitting your application at least two weeks before your trip rather than waiting until the last few days.
For a safari or holiday with fixed travel dates, applying early is particularly sensible because you need an approved eTA before starting your journey.
Can You Get a Kenya Visa on Arrival?
You should not plan to obtain a Kenyan visa or eTA on arrival.
Kenya requires travellers who need an eTA to obtain approval before starting their journey. Airlines and other carriers may check your travel authorisation before allowing you to board.
This means that travellers should complete their eTA application before flying to Nairobi, Mombasa or another Kenyan entry point.
Does Every Person Need Their Own Kenya eTA?
Yes. Each traveller needs their own eTA if they are not exempt.
This includes children and infants. Families and groups can submit applications together using the group application option, but each passenger requires an individual travel authorisation.
What Passport Do I Need to Enter Kenya?
Your passport should generally be valid for at least six months after your planned arrival in Kenya and have at least one blank page.
You will also need to provide your passport details during the eTA application.
How Long Is a Kenya eTA Valid?
A standard Kenya eTA is valid for travel within 90 days from the date it is issued. The permitted duration of your stay in Kenya is determined when you enter the country.
This is different from saying that you can stay in Kenya for 90 days automatically. Your actual permitted stay is determined by Kenyan immigration at the point of entry.
Can I Apply for a Kenya eTA Before Booking My Safari?
Yes, but you will need to provide travel information such as your intended arrival and departure details and accommodation information as part of the application.
If you are planning a safari, it is useful to have your Kenya accommodation and travel itinerary reasonably clear before submitting the application because these details may be requested.
Do I Need a Kenya eTA If I Am Only Transiting?
Not necessarily.
Passengers who transit through Kenya and remain within the airport precinct without entering Kenya may fall under an exemption. Similar exemptions apply to certain passengers arriving and departing on the same ship without leaving the ship.
If you need to leave the airport during a layover, however, you should check the applicable entry requirements for your nationality.
What Happens After My Kenya eTA Is Approved?
Once your eTA is approved, you should download or print the authorisation and keep it available for your journey.
Kenya’s immigration authorities state that travellers should only begin their journey after receiving approval. The eTA may be requested at departure and arrival points.
An approved eTA is permission to travel to Kenya, but it does not guarantee entry. Final admission is determined by an immigration officer when you arrive in Kenya.
Do I Need a Visa for Kenya if I Am Visiting the Masai Mara?
No separate Masai Mara visa is required.
The Masai Mara is in Kenya, so your Kenya entry requirements apply to the entire trip. If your nationality requires an eTA, you need the eTA before travelling to Kenya.
Once you are in Kenya, you can travel from Nairobi to the Masai Mara by road or domestic flight depending on your safari itinerary.
Kenya Visa or eTA: What’s the Difference?
The simplest way to understand the current system is:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Kenya still use traditional tourist visas? | Generally no |
| What replaced the traditional visa? | Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) |
| Do most foreign visitors need an eTA? | Yes |
| Do EAC citizens need an eTA? | No |
| Can I get an eTA after arriving in Kenya? | No, if you require one it should be approved before travel |
| Does each traveller need an eTA? | Yes, unless exempt |
| Standard eTA fee | USD 30 |
| Typical processing time | 3 working days |
| Recommended application timing | At least 2 weeks before travel |
| Passport validity | At least 6 months after planned arrival |
Do You Need a Visa to Enter Kenya? The Short Answer
Most travellers do not need a traditional visa to enter Kenya. Instead, they need an approved Kenya eTA before travelling, unless their nationality or travel circumstances qualify for an exemption.
If you are travelling to Kenya for a safari, holiday, business trip or family visit, check your passport eligibility before making your journey.
The safest place to check your current requirements and submit an application is the official Kenya eTA website.
