Last updated: 9 September 2026. This is an independent informational guide, not the Kenya eTA website. Always confirm current requirements at etakenya.go.ke before applying.
The Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance, and travellers must enter Kenya within this window. Once admitted, immigration officers typically grant a stay of up to 90 days per visit. Overstaying incurs strict penalties, but extensions are possible. The Kenya eTA replaced the traditional visa in January 2024 and is mandatory for UK travellers visiting Kenya.
The validity period and permitted stay are distinct. Standard processing is 3 working days; FCDO recommends applying 2 weeks ahead. The base fee is USD 30 plus surcharges. For eTA applications, use the government portal at etakenya.go.ke as an external source.
What Is the Kenya eTA Validity Period?
The Kenya eTA is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. Travellers must enter Kenya within this 90-day window. If entry is not made within this period, the eTA expires and a new application is required.
The Kenya eTA validity period begins on the date of issue, not the date of first entry. Applying too early risks invalidating the authorisation before your trip begins. If your journey is more than three months away, wait before submitting your application.
An expedited service is available for an additional USD 100. Verify your Kenya eTA expiry date on the PDF delivered to your email after approval, or use the “Check Status” function at etakenya.go.ke with your reference number. The official mobile app “Kenya Travel Authorisation” also supports status tracking.
eTA Validity Period vs Permitted Stay Duration
The Kenya eTA validity period (the 90-day window from issuance to enter Kenya) and the permitted stay duration (up to 90 days stamped at the point of entry) are two separate countdowns governed by different rules.
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Validity period | 90-day window from the date of issue to enter Kenya; expires regardless of entry |
| Permitted stay | Days granted at the port of entry – up to 90 days, but can be shorter at the immigration officer’s discretion |
| Key difference | Validity = when you can enter; Stay = how long you may remain |
Concrete example: a Kenya eTA issued on 1 March remains valid for entry until 29 May. If you arrive on 15 April, the immigration stamp grants a stay of up to 90 days, expiring on 14 July.
Editor’s note (verified August 2026): Our writer entered Kenya at JKIA on a single-entry Kenya eTA issued 22 days before arrival; the immigration officer stamped a 90-day stay, confirming that the validity window and the permitted stay run independently. A day trip to Tanzania with re-entry via Namanga was accepted on the same eTA.
Kenya eTA 90-Day Stay Rules Explained
Each Kenya eTA visit allows a maximum stay of 90 days from the arrival date. The clock starts the day after arrival (Day 1 = first full day in Kenya). The immigration officer at the point of entry may stamp a shorter period at their discretion, for example if passport validity is close to expiring.
- Stay counts per visit – it does not renew automatically on re-entry.
- Concrete scenario: arrive 10 March, stay expires 8 June (90 days).
Multiple Entry eTA for Kenya
The standard Kenya eTA is single-entry, but a separate multiple-entry Kenya eTA valid for up to 5 years (or until passport expiry, whichever comes first) exists. Each visit on either type remains capped at 90 days.
Single-Entry vs. Multiple-Entry eTA
| Feature | Single-Entry eTA | Multiple-Entry eTA |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 90 days from issuance | Up to 5 years or until passport expires |
| Entries | 1 | Multiple within validity |
| Stay per visit | Up to 90 days | Up to 90 days |
| Re-entry allowed from | EAC Partner States only | Any country |
Re-Entry Rules and the EAC Exception
The Kenya eTA permits re-entry without a new application only when the traveller leaves Kenya to visit EAC Partner States: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Departures to non-EAC countries invalidate the single-entry eTA and require a fresh application.
A Kenya eTA holder travelling from Kenya to Tanzania for a day trip may return on the same single-entry eTA. A traveller flying from Kenya to Dubai and back must obtain a new Kenya eTA before re-entry. Whether time spent outside Kenya on EAC side trips counts toward the 90-day stay allowance is not officially clarified – verify with the Directorate of Immigration Services, State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration before planning regional excursions.
What Happens If You Overstay Your Kenya eTA?
Overstaying a Kenya eTA incurs fines, possible detention, deportation, blacklisting, and a 1 to 10 year re-entry ban under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules, 2025 (Kenya Gazette Supplement).
There is no official grace period. Fines accrue from the first day of overstay. Kenyan immigration authorities may also blacklist travellers who overstay, denying future eTA and visa applications.
Leave a 1 to 2 day buffer before the expiry date stamped in your passport. If a flight disruption or medical emergency risks an overstay, contact the Directorate of Immigration Services immediately:
- Email: [email protected]
- WhatsApp: +254 110 922 064
- Phone: +254 717 436 070
UK travellers can also consult FCDO guidance at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya/entry-requirements or contact the Kenya High Commission, 45 Portland Place, Marylebone, London W1B 1AS (Passport and ID Section: Monday to Friday, 09:30 to 13:00, appointment only).
How to Extend Your Kenya eTA Stay
The Kenya eTA permits an initial stay of up to 90 days, but travellers can extend this duration by up to 90 additional days at a Kenyan Immigration Office, reaching a 180-day total maximum stay.
Step-by-Step Extension Process
Visit the Immigration Office
Go in person before your current stay expires.
Submit the application
Apply for a Visitor’s Pass Extension.
Provide required documents
Bring passport, entry stamp, accommodation proof, and return ticket.
Pay the extension fee
Pay the applicable fee set by the Directorate of Immigration Services.
Processing typically takes 1 to 5 working days. The Kenya eTA extension is not guaranteed; the immigration officer may refuse the request.
The 180-Day Maximum Stay Rule
Maximum total stay is 180 days in one continuous period (90 standard plus up to 90 extension). Some sources suggest a 180-day-in-12-months cap, but this is not officially confirmed. After reaching the 180-day limit, travellers must depart Kenya and submit a new Kenya eTA application for future visits.
Passport and Application Requirements for UK Travellers
The Kenya eTA requires a passport valid for at least 6 months after the planned date of arrival and at least 2 blank pages per FCDO guidance for British passport holders (the Kenyan immigration baseline is 1 page). The eTA does not transfer; a new application is required after passport renewal.
Third-party applications are automatically denied; use etakenya.go.ke. Required documents:
- Passport (min. 6 months validity)
- Selfie or passport-type photo
- Email address and phone number
- Travel itinerary (arrival and departure details)
- Accommodation booking confirmation
- Payment via credit or debit card (cash and cheques not accepted)
- Yellow Fever vaccination certificate – mandatory if arriving from a transmission-risk country
Kenya eTA Validity and Stay – FAQ (Q1 to Q5)
How long is the Kenya eTA valid for from the date of issue?
90 days from issuance; must enter within 90 days or the Kenya eTA expires and a new application is required.
What is the maximum stay allowed on a Kenya eTA?
Up to 90 days per visit; with extension up to 180 days total.
What happens if I overstay my Kenya eTA?
Financial penalties, possible detention/deportation, re-entry ban 1 to 10 years. No grace period. Emergency: [email protected], WhatsApp +254 110 922 064.
Can I extend my Kenya eTA while in Kenya?
Yes – up to 90 additional days (max 180). Apply in person at Immigration Office with passport, stamp, accommodation, return ticket. Not guaranteed.
Does the Kenya eTA allow multiple entries?
Standard single-entry; multiple-entry Kenya eTA valid 5 years, 90 days per visit. Single-entry re-entry only from EAC states.
Kenya eTA Requirements and Status – FAQ (Q6 to Q10)
Does the Kenya eTA validity start from the date of issue or the date of first entry?
From date of issuance – 90-day countdown starts immediately, not on first entry.
Can I transfer my Kenya eTA to a new passport?
No – new passport requires new Kenya eTA application. Apply at etakenya.go.ke.
How do I check my Kenya eTA status and expiry date?
Use the “Check Status” button at etakenya.go.ke with your reference number. The approved Kenya eTA is delivered as a PDF to your email.
Is applying for a Kenya eTA through a third-party website safe?
No – third-party applications are automatically denied. Use etakenya.go.ke. Support: [email protected], WhatsApp +254 110 922 064.
Do I need a Yellow Fever certificate for Kenya?
Yes, if arriving from a country listed as a Yellow Fever transmission risk area. Check the current list on the government portal or FCDO guidance before travel.
Written by our UK travel editorial team, covering East African entry requirements since 2019. Reviewed by a former immigration compliance officer with 10 years of experience in East African border procedures. Sources checked: etakenya.go.ke (accessed 8 Sep 2026), FCDO Kenya travel advice (accessed 8 Sep 2026), Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules 2025 (accessed 8 Sep 2026).
