Last updated: September 2026. All details verified against the etakenya.go.ke portal and Kenya High Commission London.
Kenya replaced its visa system with a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) on January 5, 2024. UK passport holders must apply online at etakenya.go.ke, as visa-on-arrival and embassy-issued tourist visas are no longer available. The eTA costs USD 34.09 and processes in 3 working days.
This Kenya eTA vs traditional visa comparison breaks down the differences between the new digital authorization and legacy visa options. This article evaluates cost (USD 34.09 vs ~USD 50), processing time (3 days vs weeks), and eligibility to help you choose the correct entry pathway.
How Kenya’s Entry System Changed in 2024 and What It Means for 2026
A presidential directive replaced Kenya’s e-visa, visa-on-arrival, and paper-sticker systems with a single mandatory eTA on January 5, 2024. The legal basis is the Kenya Gazette Supplement No.1 of January 2, 2024, on Kenya Citizenship and Immigration, implementing a visa-free regime for eligible travellers. The Kenya eTA is now the sole standard entry method, managed by the Directorate of Immigration Services under the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.
What Exactly Changed: Old System vs New eTA System
The e-visa platform, visa-on-arrival, and paper stickers were retired in favour of the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The Kenya eTA is mandatory for all visitors, including infants and children. A policy reversal in January 2025 exempted all African nationals (except Somalia and Libya) from the eTA, permitting a 2-month stay; East African Community nationals may stay up to 6 months. Kenya also introduced an Advance Passenger Information System in 2025 for enhanced border screening.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Effective date: January 5, 2024
- Legal basis: Kenya Gazette Supplement No.1 of January 2, 2024
- Operating body: Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration
- Application website: etakenya.go.ke
- Standard cost: USD 34.09 (government fee USD 32.50 + bank fee USD 1.59)
- Processing time: 3 working days
- Validity: 90 days from issuance, single entry
Kenya eTA vs Traditional Visa: Side-by-Side Comparison
The Kenya eTA costs USD 34.09 and processes in 3 working days online, making it cheaper and faster than any embassy or paper option. Ordinary and paper visas are no longer available to standard tourists since January 2024.
| Feature | Kenya eTA | Ordinary Visa (Legacy) | Embassy Visa | Paper/Sticker Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application method | Online via etakenya.go.ke | Online (discontinued) | In person | In person or courier |
| Cost | USD 34.09 | ~USD 50 | Varied by category | Varied by category |
| Processing time | 3 working days | Several business days | 5 to 15 business days | 5 to 15 business days |
| Validity | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days |
| Entry type | Single entry | Single entry | Single/multiple | Single/multiple |
| Passport handling | Upload scan only | Upload scan only | Submit physical passport | Submit physical passport |
| Best for | Tourists, business, family | No longer available to standard tourists | Diplomats, special categories | No longer available to standard tourists |
What Is the Kenya eTA and How to Apply Online
The Kenya eTA replaces in-person embassy procedures with a fully online process via etakenya.go.ke. It grants single-entry access valid for 90 days from issuance and must be approved before departure.
Create an account
Create an account at etakenya.go.ke.
Fill in the form
Fill in the form: personal details, travel purpose, accommodation, and itinerary.
Upload documents
Upload your passport bio-data page, a passport-style photo (JPEG, max 293 KB), and accommodation booking confirmation.
Pay the fee
Pay USD 34.09 (government fee USD 32.50 + bank fee USD 1.59) via credit card, debit card, or Google Pay.
Receive your eTA
Receive your Kenya eTA PDF by email from [email protected] within 3 working days.
Documents You’ll Need for the Kenya eTA
- UK passport valid at least 6 months after arrival, with 1 blank page
- Passport-style photo: clear image, plain background, JPEG max 293 KB
- Accommodation booking confirmation
- Return flight or onward travel itinerary
- Yellow Fever certificate (only if arriving from an endemic country)
- Business travellers: copy of company registration
- Conference travellers: conference invitation/participation letter
- Family visit: invitation letter from host plus host’s ID/passport copy
- Medical purpose: letter from referring doctor or hospital
Traditional Visas: Ordinary, Embassy, and Paper Visas Explained
Embassy and paper visas remain available only for diplomatic, work-permit, and special-category applicants, not for standard tourists or business travellers. The Kenya eTA has fully replaced these legacy options for all standard visitors.
Ordinary Visa (Legacy)
The ordinary visa was the standard tourist and business entry permit issued via the now-discontinued evisa.go.ke platform. It was replaced by the Kenya eTA on January 5, 2024. Historical cost was approximately USD 50 (sourced from the now-archived evisa.go.ke platform), with processing taking several business days.
Embassy Visa (Still Available for Certain Categories)
Embassy visas demand in-person appointments and physical document submission. Applications are handled at the Kenya High Commission, 45 Portland Place, Marylebone, London W1B 1AS. Chancery hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00. Passport and ID Section: Monday to Friday 09:30-13:00, appointment only. High Commissioner: Amb Maurice Makoloo; Deputy: Amb. Irene Maswan. A physical passport must be submitted. This route is reserved for diplomatic, official, and service passport holders, work-permit applicants, and student visa applicants.
Paper/Sticker Visa (Legacy)
The paper visa was a physical adhesive sticker affixed to a passport page, applied for at an embassy or via courier. Historical processing took 5-15 business days. No longer issued to standard tourists since January 2024.
Kenya eTA vs Traditional Visa: Cost, Processing Time, and Validity Deep Dive
| Cost Item | Kenya eTA | Ordinary Visa (Legacy) | Embassy Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government fee | USD 32.50 | ~USD 50 | Varied by category |
| Bank/processing fee | USD 1.59 | Included | Consulate service fee |
| Total | USD 34.09 | ~USD 50 | No longer published for tourists |
| Premium option | Available (higher cost, faster) | N/A | N/A |
| Refundable? | No | No | No |
Standard Kenya eTA processing takes 3 working days; embassy and paper visas historically required 5 to 15 business days. Both eTA and legacy ordinary visas grant 90-day validity from issuance. All fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Hidden Costs You Might Not Expect
Embassy applications required courier costs for physical passport submission to the consulate. The Kenya eTA adds a USD 1.59 bank surcharge on top of the government fee, and a premium processing surcharge applies to urgent requests. Travelers holding unexpired pre-2024 multi-year visas should contact the Directorate of Immigration Services at [email protected] or +254 202 222 022 to confirm validity before travel.
Who Needs a Kenya eTA and Who Doesn’t
UK passport holders must obtain a Kenya eTA, but airside transit passengers, East African Partner State citizens, and British military personnel on active service are exempt. The Kenya eTA is mandatory for all visitors including infants and children.
Exempt categories include:
- East African Partner States citizens (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan): up to 180 days
- 90-day exempt nationals (Zimbabwe and others)
- 60-day exempt African nationals (Tunisia and others)
- Transit passengers arriving and leaving on the same flight ticket, not leaving airport precincts
- Maritime passengers arriving and leaving by same ship without disembarking
- Carrier crew members listed on the manifest
- Private aircraft owners stopping for refueling, not leaving airport
- Serving members of British Military
- Holders of valid Kenya re-entry passes
- Certain diplomatic passport holders (Iran: 30 days; Turkey: 90 days; Brazil: 90 days; India: 90 days; China: 30 days)
Do UK Citizens Need a Kenya eTA?
Yes. UK passport holders must obtain a Kenya eTA before travel. No in-person visa services for UK tourists are available at the High Commission. The Kenya High Commission London still handles passport services (by appointment, Mon-Fri 09:30-13:00), diplomatic travel, and general inquiries. Contact the Directorate of Immigration Services: +254 202 222 022, [email protected].
Which Option Is Right for You? A Decision Guide
The Kenya eTA covers most UK travellers at USD 34.09 with 3 working days processing. Match your profile below:
- UK tourist -> Kenya eTA via etakenya.go.ke
- Business or conference traveller -> Kenya eTA with invitation letter
- Transit, same flight -> Exempt if not leaving airport precincts
- Family group -> Group Kenya eTA (up to 9 people)
- Diplomatic/official passport -> Embassy visa at 45 Portland Place, Marylebone, London W1B 1AS
- Work permit or student -> Traditional embassy visa
- Multi-country safari -> Separate eTAs per country; unified EATV no longer primary for Kenya
- Pre-2024 multi-year visa holder -> Contact Directorate of Immigration Services: +254 202 222 022, [email protected]
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a Kenya eTA
Applying too late, uploading blurry passport scans, and assuming visa-on-arrival still exists are the top reasons Kenya eTA applications are rejected or wasted. Many applicants upload a photo that exceeds the 293 KB limit. To avoid rejection, resize your image before submission.
- Applying too late: must be approved before departure (minimum 72 hours; recommend 4+ days)
- Passport validity less than 6 months from planned arrival date
- Not having a blank passport page
- Uploading wrong photo format (must be JPEG, max 293 KB) or blurry bio-data scan
- Not having accommodation confirmation ready at application time
- Applying for a tourist visa at the embassy when Kenya eTA is faster and cheaper
- Assuming visa on arrival is still available
- Not checking exemption status (wasting money if already exempt)
Emergency Processing: What If the eTA Portal Fails?
Contact Kenya eTA customer support: WhatsApp +254 110 922 064, email [email protected], phone +254 110-922 062 / +254 110-922 063 / +254 110-922 064. Alternative support: +254 717 436 070, [email protected]. General Directorate of Immigration: +254 202 222 022, [email protected].
FAQ: Kenya eTA vs Traditional Visa
What is the difference between a Kenya eTA and a traditional visa?
The Kenya eTA is a digital pre-travel authorization applied for online at etakenya.go.ke, while traditional visas were physical stickers or consular endorsements applied for at embassies. The eTA replaced standard tourist and business visas for most nationalities including UK citizens.
How much does a Kenya eTA cost for UK citizens in 2026?
The total standard cost is USD 34.09 per person. This includes a government fee of USD 32.50 and a bank processing fee of USD 1.59. Legacy ordinary visas previously cost approximately USD 50, but they are no longer issued to standard tourists.
How long does it take to get a Kenya eTA?
Standard processing takes 3 working days. A premium processing option is available at an additional cost for a faster turnaround. You must apply at least 72 hours before departure, and approval must be received before your journey starts.
Do I need a visa to visit Kenya from the UK?
UK passport holders need a Kenya eTA, which is a mandatory electronic travel authorization rather than a traditional visa. It must be obtained online before travel at etakenya.go.ke. No in-person visa services for UK tourists are available at the High Commission.
Can I get a Kenya visa on arrival?
No. The visa-on-arrival system was abolished on January 5, 2024. All visitors, including UK citizens, must obtain a Kenya eTA online before departing for Kenya. The eTA is not issued on arrival under any circumstances.
Do transit passengers need a Kenya eTA?
Transit passengers arriving and leaving on the same flight ticket without leaving the airport precincts are exempt. If you need to clear immigration to change terminals or leave the airport, you will need a Kenya eTA for your journey.
Do I need a Yellow Fever certificate to enter Kenya?
Only if arriving from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission. UK citizens departing directly from the UK are typically not required to present this certificate, but check the latest requirements before travel.
Can I extend my Kenya eTA while in the country?
Kenya eTA holders can apply for a stay extension at a local immigration office in Kenya before their authorization expires. The process requires an in-person application and associated fees. Contact the Directorate of Immigration Services at [email protected] or +254 202 222 022 for current requirements.
Is the Kenya eTA fee refundable if my application is rejected?
No. The Kenya eTA application fee of USD 34.09 is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Ensure all documents meet the requirements before submitting your application to avoid losing the fee if your request is denied.
What does the Kenya High Commission in London do for tourists in 2026?
The Kenya High Commission at 45 Portland Place, London W1B 1AS no longer issues tourist visas. Tourists must apply for their Kenya eTA online. The High Commission still handles passport services by appointment (Mon to Fri 09:30 to 13:00), diplomatic travel, and general inquiries. Chancery hours: Mon to Fri 09:00 to 17:00.
