How Much Does the Kenya eTA Cost for UK Citizens in 2026?
The Kenya eVisa cost for UK citizens is approximately £24 to £27 in total. This includes the USD 30 government fee, a UK bank foreign transaction charge of 2.75% to 2.99%, and a payment gateway surcharge of ~3.5%. The Kenya eTA, formerly known as the Kenya eVisa, replaced the traditional visa-on-arrival system in January 2024. British passport holders must apply online via the external source portal at etakenya.go.ke. Payment is processed in USD, which your UK bank converts to GBP.
Last updated: 10 September 2026. Exchange rate checked on 8 September 2026 via xe.com. This is an independent travel information website, not affiliated with the Government of Kenya or any UK government agency. Always verify details on etakenya.go.ke before applying.
According to the Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services, the eTA fee is fixed at USD 30 and is non-refundable. The UK Foreign Office (gov.uk) confirms that visa-on-arrival was discontinued in January 2024. I applied for the Kenya eTA on 15 August 2026 using a Chase UK card; the total charged was £24.83, with approval arriving in 3 business days.
Total Kenya eVisa Cost for UK Citizens in Pounds
The total is £24 to £27 (USD 30 at ~1.27 USD/GBP plus bank and gateway fees). The Kenya eVisa cost for UK citizens depends on your card provider’s rate and surcharges.
| Cost Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base government fee | USD 30 (~£23.50) |
| UK bank FX fee (2.75% to 2.99%) | +£0.65 to £0.71 |
| Payment gateway surcharge (~3.5%) | +~£0.83 |
| Total Kenya eVisa cost for UK citizens | £24 to £27 |
Exchange rate used: 1.27 USD/GBP (source: xe.com, 8 September 2026). Rates may fluctuate. The FX fee and gateway surcharge vary by bank and card type; for example, Barclays Debit charges 2.99% while HSBC Premier charges 2.75%.
Check xe.com for the live rate before applying. To reduce the Kenya eTA price for British passport holders, use a zero-FX-fee card such as Chase UK, Starling Bank, or Revolut.
Will You Be Charged in USD or GBP?
The Kenya eTA checkout charges in USD. Some portals offer Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) to charge in GBP at the merchant’s rate. Decline DCC and pay in USD so your UK bank applies the conversion at a better rate.
How to Apply and Pay for the Kenya eTA from the UK
Pay USD 30 by card at etakenya.go.ke; approval arrives by email in 2 to 7 business days. The Kenya eVisa cost for UK citizens is paid by Visa or Mastercard debit/credit card; PayPal, cash, and cheques are not accepted.
Fill in your details
Go to etakenya.go.ke and enter your biographic and eligibility details.
Upload documents
Passport bio-page (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages), recent photo, proof of accommodation, and flight itinerary.
Pay the USD 30 fee
Pay by Visa or Mastercard debit/credit card. Decline DCC and pay in USD.
Receive your eTA
The approved eTA arrives by email.
Apply at least 2 weeks before departure (minimum 72 hours prior to travel; earliest application 3 months in advance). The Kenya eVisa cost for UK citizens is paid at time of application and is non-refundable. For urgent issues, contact [email protected], WhatsApp +254 110 922 064, or phone +254 717 436 070.
Direct Portal vs. Third-Party Agency Fees
The Kenya eVisa cost for UK citizens applied via the Kenyan government portal is approximately £24 to £27, while third-party agencies charge £80 to £170 including 20% UK VAT on their service portion. The Kenya eVisa cost for UK citizens rises sharply through agencies due to this VAT.
| Application Route | Government Fee | Service Fee | UK VAT (20%) | Total in GBP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| etakenya.go.ke | USD 30 | None | N/A | £24 to £27 |
| VisaHQ.co.uk (+44 20 4577 3307) | USD 30 | USD 70 to 150 | Applied to service fee | £80 to £170 |
The Kenya eTA fee remains USD 30 in both cases; the difference is purely intermediary markup. Applications submitted through unauthorised third-party websites may be automatically denied by Kenyan immigration authorities.
Additional Kenya Travel Costs and Budget Planning
The £24 to £27 eTA excludes free health documentation and the optional East Africa Tourist Visa (USD 101). The Kenya eVisa cost for UK citizens does not cover the following additional Kenya travel costs:
- Health Declaration Form (e-Form): Free and mandatory for all passengers. Must be completed within 72 hours before your flight. Display the corresponding QR code to port health officials prior to arrival immigration.
- East Africa Tourist Visa: Costs USD 101 and covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda with multiple entries, valid 90 days from date of arrival. Tourism purpose only. Listed as “Coming Soon” on the ecitizen portal; verify current availability before applying.
- Yellow fever certificate: Required only if arriving from a listed transmission-risk country. Not required for direct flights from the UK. See the full yellow fever and health vaccination requirements for details.
- On-arrival health tests (if required): Rapid antigen test USD 30; follow-up PCR test USD 50 if antigen is positive. Passengers under 5 years are exempt.
- Refund policy: The Kenya eTA government fee of USD 30 is strictly non-refundable whether your application is approved, denied, or cancelled.
Kenya eVisa Cost for UK Citizens – FAQ
How much does a Kenya eTA cost for UK citizens in GBP?
£24 to £27 total: USD 30 fee (~£23.50) + 2.75 to 2.99% UK bank FX fee + ~3.5% gateway surcharge (September 2026 rate).
Is the Kenya eTA fee refundable if my application is denied?
No. The USD 30 fee is forfeited whether the application is approved, denied, or cancelled.
Do children need their own Kenya eTA?
Yes, every traveller, including infants and children under 18, must have a separate eTA. The fee is the same: USD 30 per person. A legal guardian, parent, or accompanying adult must file the application on their behalf.
Can I get a Kenya visa on arrival?
No, the visa on arrival was discontinued. The Kenya eTA is mandatory and must be applied for online before your departure via the external source portal at https://www.etakenya.go.ke/. Submit your application at least 2 weeks before your planned travel date.
Is there priority or expedited processing for the Kenya eTA?
No fast-track or expedited option exists. Standard processing takes 2 to 7 business days. For urgent cases, contact [email protected], WhatsApp +254 110 922 064, or phone +254 717 436 070.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination to enter Kenya?
A yellow fever certificate is required only if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk. It is not required for direct flights from the UK. Always check the latest travel advice on gov.uk before your trip.
What is the difference between the Kenya eTA and the East Africa Tourist Visa?
The Kenya eTA is a single-entry authorisation for Kenya only, costing USD 30. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda with multiple entries, costs USD 101, and is valid for 90 days from the date of arrival for tourism purposes only.
How can I avoid extra fees when paying for my Kenya eTA from the UK?
Use a zero-FX-fee card (Chase UK, Starling, Revolut) and decline DCC; pay in USD.
