Kenya:Visa Requirements

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Kenya Visa Requirements Map

Kenya: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • Passengers exempt from the electronic travel authorization must carry a valid passport, travel document, residence permit, work permit, re-entry permit or relevant official document showing the basis of exemption and their identity throughout the journey. The passport or acceptable travel document must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of arrival in Kenya. The required number of blank passport pages, biometric passport requirement, machine-readable passport condition and special rules for damaged passports are not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Upon arrival in Kenya, the passenger must personally present themselves to the immigration officer for inspection with their passport or acceptable travel document. Biometric data, including facial photo and fingerprints, may be collected during the entry process. Entry must be made at a formally designated entry point. A person arriving in Kenya other than at a designated entry point must notify an immigration officer immediately after arrival.
  • The immigration officer may request a return or onward travel ticket, onward journey arrangements, proof of sufficient financial means to cover the stay, hotel reservation, the host's full address and telephone information, and the travel itinerary within Kenya. How many months of bank statement are required and the minimum financial amount to be shown are not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Visa-free or eTA-exempt travel does not confer a right of automatic admission to the country. The passenger's purpose of travel, public order, security, health conditions and entry documents are reassessed at the border. The maximum permitted duration of stay varies according to the legal basis of the exemption, the type of travel document and the passenger's status. The passenger must not exceed the period specified in the exemption applicable to them.
  • A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from passengers arriving from a place with risk of yellow fever transmission. Health exemptions may apply for infants under nine months of age, pregnant women except under certain epidemic conditions, persons with severe allergy to egg protein, persons with severe immunodeficiency, and persons with thymus disorder. The validity of the yellow fever vaccine begins ten days after vaccination.
  • A COVID-19 vaccination certificate or pre-travel COVID-19 test is generally not required for entry into Kenya. Passengers showing flu-like symptoms may be asked to complete a passenger tracking form and to undergo an antigen test at their own expense. A PCR test may be requested after a positive antigen result.

Electronic Travel Authorization Requirements

  • The Electronic Travel Authorization must be obtained before commencing travel to Kenya via the official eTA website or the official Kenya Travel Authorisation mobile application. A separate application is made for each non-exempt passenger, including infants and children. Although a group application option may be used, a separate eTA is issued for each passenger. The application may be made by another person; however, the passenger's own information must be used in the application.
  • The applicant must provide a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the planned date of arrival in Kenya and has at least one blank page. A photo or scan of the passport or identity document is uploaded. Which additional pages of the passport need to be scanned, the requirement for a biometric or machine-readable passport, and the rules for damaged passports are not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • A current selfie or passport-type photograph of the applicant must be attached to the application. The exact dimensions, background color, date of taking, resolution, file format and maximum file size of the photograph are not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • In the application, the applicant must provide first name, surname, passport or travel document number, document expiration date, telephone number, email address, permanent residence details, expected travel date, airline or carrier information, flight number, departure and arrival points, and accommodation addresses in Kenya. The arrival and departure travel itinerary and accommodation reservation must be uploaded.
  • The information in the application form must be entered accurately and completely. The form can be modified before payment is completed. Correction of an application submitted with incorrect information may require a new application and a new payment. The requirement for a wet signature or a separately signed paper application form is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • After selecting nationality, country of residence and purpose of travel, the system may request additional or personalized documents. Therefore, the list of additional documents is not the same for all applicants. A legal residence document, national identity document, or visa and residence permit from another country should only be submitted if the application system or the examining immigration officer specifically requests them on a personalized basis.
  • For the financial means assessment, bank letters, bank account documents or other evidence of financial assets may be requested on a personalized basis. How many months of bank statement are required and the minimum amount that must be in the account are not definitively specified in the central official source. Upon entry, proof of sufficient financial means to cover the stay may also be requested.
  • For travel for medical purposes, a letter from the referring doctor or hospital or an appointment document may be requested; for conference attendance, an invitation or participation letter; for certain employment-related travel, an employment contract; for resettlement procedures, supporting documents; and depending on health condition, vaccination or test certificates. The submission of an employment contract in the eTA application does not confer the right to work in Kenya. The necessary work permit or relevant immigration permit for working must be obtained separately.
  • For business travel, an invitation letter from the company in Kenya and the company's registration certificate may be requested. The mandatory content of the invitation letter, the financial documents the company must submit and the minimum financial amount the sponsor must show are not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • For applications made for the purpose of visiting family or friends, an invitation letter from the host or family member and the inviting person's identity card, passport, foreign identity card or Kenya entry permit may be requested. The exact information that must be contained in the invitation letter, the duration of the sponsor's bank statement and the sponsor's minimum financial means are not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • For diplomatic travel, a diplomatic, official or service passport and an official letter issued by the sending state, organization or foreign ministry may be requested. The standard eTA fee may not be charged for diplomatic applications; if expedited service is selected, an additional fee may apply.
  • A separate eTA application must be made for each infant and child. The responsibility to submit the child's application information lies with the parent, legal guardian or accompanying adult. A central checklist making birth certificate, custody document, notarized parental consent or documents proving family relationship mandatory for all minors has not been published. These documents may be additionally requested depending on the applicant's circumstances.
  • No central and detailed rule applicable to all eTA applications has been published regarding the translation of documents into English, notarization, apostille or consular legalization. For documents in a foreign language requested on a personalized basis, the instructions given by the portal or the immigration authority must be followed.
  • The standard eTA fee is 30 USD, excluding payment processing charges. The fee for a one-year multiple-entry eTA is 300 USD, and for a five-year multiple-entry eTA it is 185 USD. An additional 100 USD is charged for expedited processing service on top of the normal application fee. Access to the five-year eTA and other special eTA types depends on eligibility conditions determined by the system.
  • Payment may be made by credit card, debit card or another payment method offered on the portal. A detailed list of other accepted payment instruments is not definitively specified in the central official source. The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable to another person. Rejection of the application or non-occurrence of travel does not create a right to a refund.
  • Applications are normally processed within three business days or 72 hours; however, it may take longer due to verification procedures. It is recommended to submit the application at least two weeks before travel. Expedited service is offered on the official portal as the 'process immediately' option; nevertheless, no definitive processing guarantee is given for any application.
  • An approved eTA must be used for travel within 90 days from the date of issuance. The standard eTA provides single entry. The one-year and five-year eTA types allow multiple entries during their respective validity periods. The actual permitted duration of stay in Kenya is not automatically determined on the eTA; it is decided by the immigration officer at the border upon entry. Under a visitor pass, the total stay cannot exceed six months from the date of entry.
  • After approval, the PDF document attached to the email must be printed or saved to a mobile device or the official Kenya Travel Authorisation application. The document must be presented at all departure and arrival checkpoints. Travel may only commence after the application has been approved by the Government of Kenya. One must not travel to Kenya with an unapproved or rejected application.
  • The eTA is only permission to travel to Kenya and does not confer a right of definitive entry into the country. The immigration officer may request a return or onward ticket, proof of financial means, accommodation details, the host's address and telephone information, travel itinerary and health documents. The passenger must participate in the procedures for taking facial photo and fingerprints upon entry.
  • There is no central eTA checklist that makes the separate upload of a travel health insurance policy mandatory for all passengers. An official aviation circular dated October 2025 indicates a proportionally charged travel health insurance coverage for arriving passengers as an item to be added to carriers' booking systems. The minimum coverage amount of the insurance, the scope of the policy and whether the passenger must additionally carry a document are not definitively specified in the central official source.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • An eTA is not required from passengers continuing on the same aircraft or transferring to another aircraft without leaving the international transit area of the airport in Kenya. Passengers arriving on the same ship and continuing their journey without leaving the ship are also exempt from the eTA. A Transit eTA must be obtained if leaving the transit area, entering Kenya, or if the journey does not meet the official exemption conditions.
  • The Transit eTA is the electronic travel authorization offered on the official portal for eligible passengers making a transit flight through Kenya. The application must be completed online before travel and travel must not commence without approval. The Transit eTA fee is 20 USD, excluding payment processing charges. If expedited service is selected, an additional fee of 100 USD applies.
  • For a transit application, a passport valid for at least six months and with at least one blank page, a selfie or passport-type photograph, email and telephone details, flight information for arrival in and departure from Kenya, and a payment instrument must be prepared. Flight reservation and onward journey details showing travel to the next country must be provided. Additional documents depending on the type of transit, nationality and country of residence may be requested on a personalized basis by the portal.
  • If entry into Kenya and accommodation will take place during transit, the accommodation reservation or the host's address and contact information may be requested. A separate and complete central document checklist for the Transit eTA has not been published. The technical specifications of the photograph, the financial sufficiency amount, the bank statement period, the health insurance coverage and the maximum permitted transit stay duration are not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The general eTA processing time applies for Transit eTA applications. The normal processing time is three business days or 72 hours and may be extended depending on the verification process. It is recommended to submit the application at least two weeks before travel. The approval document must be printed or stored on a mobile device and presented at departure and arrival checks.
Population
58,636,412(2026 est.)
Official language
English, Swahili
Government type
Presidential republic
Continent
Africa
Capital
Nairobi
Currency
Kenyan shilling
Area
581,309 km²
Phone code
+254

Kenya: Key Destinations

Nairobi is the capital and primary international gateway to Kenya. Mombasa serves as a major coastal hub and port city.

Kenya is known for its diverse wildlife and iconic safari destinations like the Maasai Mara. The coastline offers beaches and historic sites in cities like Mombasa.

Travelers often combine a visit to Nairobi with a safari in the Maasai Mara and then head to the coast. Domestic flights and road networks connect major cities and parks.