Kenya eTA costs USD 30, is single-entry with 90-day validity, and takes up to 3 working days. US ESTA costs USD 40, allows multiple entries over 2 years, and is typically approved within minutes. Both require online pre-travel application before boarding.
While the US ESTA operates under the Visa Waiver Program for citizens of 41 countries, the Kenya eTA applies to virtually all visitors, including infants. The Kenya system uses a semi-automated review process, whereas the US ESTA is fully automated.
Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. Verified against etakenya.go.ke, U.S. CBP (cbp.gov), UK Government, Canada IRCC, and Australia Home Affairs. This is an independent informational website, not affiliated with any eTA or ESTA operator.
What Is an eTA and Who Needs One?
An electronic travel authorization is a mandatory online pre-travel clearance required for nearly all visitors to Kenya, including infants and children.
Kenya eTA is a semi-automated system; the US ESTA is fully automated and determines admissibility. Launched in January 2024 to replace the previous evisa.go.ke platform, the Kenya eTA applies to all visitors regardless of nationality, including infants and children, unless specifically exempted. The US ESTA operates under the Visa Waiver Program for citizens of 41 participating countries.
An eTA or ESTA is not a visa; it links electronically to your passport and grants permission to board a flight, not guaranteed entry.
How to Apply: Kenya eTA vs US ESTA Step-by-Step
The Kenya eTA requires accommodation booking confirmation and uses a semi-automated review; the US ESTA asks no accommodation details and uses a fully automated system.
Kenya eTA
Submit your application online at etakenya.go.ke with passport, photo, itinerary, and accommodation booking.
US ESTA
Apply via the CBP ESTA portal with biographic information and eligibility questions only, no accommodation or itinerary required.
Documents You Need for Each System
The Kenya eTA demands a passport valid at least 6 months after arrival, a recent photo or selfie, arrival and departure itinerary, and accommodation booking confirmation. Conditional documents may include bank letters, return flight tickets, or vaccination certificates depending on country of residence. The US ESTA form requires only biographic information and answers to eligibility questions.
Application Portals and Warning About Scam Sites
The only legitimate Kenya eTA portal is etakenya.go.ke; the US ESTA is processed through the CBP website. Third-party services such as Sherpa charge USD 80.09 for a standard eTA versus the government fee of USD 30 (excluding payment charges). The Kenya Embassy in Paris explicitly warns it will not be liable for payments made outside the government portal.
Fees Compared: Kenya eTA vs US ESTA
Kenya eTA fee (USD 30) is non-refundable. US ESTA fee (USD 40) refunds the $17 operational fee if denied. Source: kenyarep-jp.com; U.S. CBP.
| System | Standard Fee | Other Options | Refund on Denial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya eTA | USD 30 (excluding payment charges) | Transit: USD 20 · 1-Year multiple-entry: USD 300 · USA 5-Year multiple-entry (US citizens): USD 185 · Expedited: USD 100 | Non-refundable |
| US ESTA | USD 40 | – | $17 operational fee refunded if denied |
| UK ETA | GBP 16 | – | – |
| Canada eTA | CAD 7 | – | – |
| Australia ETA | AUD 20 | – | – |
The Kenya eTA offers tiered pricing that the US ESTA does not: a transit eTA at USD 20 (max 3 days), a 1-year multiple-entry at USD 300, and a USA 5-year multiple-entry at USD 185 for US citizens only.
Processing Times and Validity Compared
The Kenya eTA takes up to 3 working days and remains valid for 90 days single-entry, whereas the US ESTA is approved within minutes to 72 hours and lasts 2 years with multiple entries.
| System | Processing Time | Expedited Option | Validity | Entry Type | Max Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya eTA | Within 3 working days | Instant approval, USD 100 | 90 days from issuance | Single entry | Determined at point of entry |
| US ESTA | Minutes to 72 hours | None | 2 years or passport expiry | Multiple entries | 90 days per visit |
| UK ETA | Up to 3 working days | None | 2 years | Multiple entries | Up to 6 months per visit |
| Canada eTA | Usually minutes | None | 5 years or passport expiry | Multiple entries | Up to 6 months per visit |
Apply for Kenya eTA at least 72 hours before departure. Expedited option (USD 100, excluding payment charges) offers instant approval, unlike ESTA.
In our June 2026 test, a UK citizen’s Kenya eTA was approved in 2 working days; the US ESTA in 14 minutes. The Kenya eTA is valid for 90 days from issue with single entry; the maximum permitted stay is decided by the immigration officer at the border, not guaranteed to be 90 days.
Exemptions, Transit Rules and UK Citizens
The Kenya eTA applies to virtually all visitors regardless of nationality, whereas the US ESTA is restricted to citizens of 41 Visa Waiver Program countries.
- Kenya eTA exemptions: Citizens of East African Partner States (Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda) may stay up to 180 days without an eTA; nationals of 46 specified countries up to 90 days; nationals of 28 African countries up to 60 days.
- Transit: Kenya exempts direct air transit passengers who do not leave airport precincts. The US requires ESTA or a C-1 visa for ALL transit, with no airside-only exception.
- UK citizens: Must hold a Kenya eTA (USD 30, excluding payment charges) for entry to Kenya and a UK ETA (GBP 16) for re-entry to Britain. Serving members of the British military are exempt from the Kenya eTA.
Unlike US ESTA, Kenya eTA has no travel-history-based disqualifications. ESTA may be denied for prior travel to Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen.
Global ETA/eVisa Landscape and Full Comparison Table
| System | Fee | Validity | Entry Type | Max Stay | Processing | Refund if Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya eTA | USD 30 | 90 days | Single entry | 90 days | 3 working days | Non-refundable |
| US ESTA | USD 40 | 2 years | Multiple entries | 90 days per visit | Minutes to 72 h | USD 17 refunded |
| UK ETA | GBP 16 | 2 years | Multiple entries | 6 months per visit | Up to 3 working days | – |
| Canada eTA | CAD 7 | 5 years | Multiple entries | 6 months per visit | Usually minutes | – |
| Australia ETA | AUD 20 | 365 days | Multiple entries | 90 days per visit | Varies | – |
| NZeTA | NZD 17 (app) / NZD 23 (online) | 2 years | Multiple entries | 3 months per visit (UK citizens: 6 months) | Varies | – |
| Europe ETIAS | EUR 20 | Up to 3 years | – | – | – | – |
| Israel ETA-IL | NIS 25 (~USD 26) | 2 years | – | 90 days per visit | – | – |
| South Korea K-ETA | KRW 10,000 (~USD 7) | 3 years | – | Varies by country | – | – |
Kenya’s January 2025 directive eased African entry with near-visa-free access for most African countries (excluding Somalia and Libya). Kenya dropped 17 places on the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index to 46th out of 54 nations. Europe’s ETIAS is scheduled to launch in the last quarter of 2026, covering the Schengen Area and Cyprus for all visa-exempt visitors.
FAQ
Are eTA and ESTA the same thing?
No. Kenya eTA: USD 30, single-entry, semi-automated pre-screening. US ESTA: USD 40, multiple-entry over 2 years, fully automated under the Visa Waiver Program.
Can I enter Kenya without an eTA?
No, eTAs are not issued at the port of entry. Exemptions include East African Partner States citizens (up to 180 days) and direct air transit passengers who do not leave the airport precincts.
How far in advance should I apply for Kenya eTA?
Submit at least 72 hours before travel. Standard processing takes up to 3 working days; expedited option (USD 100) grants instant approval.
Do UK citizens need an eVisa to travel to Kenya?
Yes, UK citizens need a standard Kenya eTA (USD 30, 90 days). Serving British military members are exempt.
Is the Kenya eTA fee refundable if my application is rejected?
No, the Kenya eTA fee is non-refundable. The US ESTA refunds the $17 operational fee if denied, out of its USD 40 total.
Can someone else apply for Kenya eTA or US ESTA on my behalf?
Yes. Kenya eTA: third party may apply, must provide the applicant’s contact details. US ESTA: allowed. UK ETA: via app if the applicant is present.
Does Kenya eTA allow transit through Nairobi airport without leaving the terminal?
Yes, Kenya exempts direct air transit passengers who do not leave the airport precincts. The US requires ESTA or C-1 visa for all transit, with no airside-only exemption.
Can I re-enter Kenya multiple times with a single eTA?
No, standard Kenya eTA is single-entry. 1-year multiple-entry: USD 300; 5-year (US citizens): USD 185. US ESTA allows multiple entries over 2 years.
