To apply for a Kenya eTA, your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date, contain at least two blank pages, and be an undamaged machine-readable or biometric document. You must also upload a clear scan of your passport bio data page. The Kenya eTA replaced the traditional eVisa in January 2024 and is mandatory for UK passport holders. Kenya eVisa passport validity rules are strict: failure to meet the 6-month rule results in automatic eTA rejection. Verify your passport expiry date, blank page count, and physical condition before applying.
Why Your Passport Matters for the Kenya eTA in 2026
Kenya eTA passport requirements apply at both the online application stage and at Kenyan border control. The eTA costs $30 USD for standard processing (3 business days) or $130 USD total for expedited processing (immediate, plus $100 USD surcharge). Accepted payment methods are credit card and debit card. Required documents include a valid passport, selfie or passport-type photo, contact details, travel itinerary, and accommodation booking confirmation. UK travellers are not exempt. Exempt categories include Kenya permanent residence holders, valid work permit holders, East African Partner States citizens (180 days), 45 listed nationalities (90 days), 28 African nationalities (60 days), transit passengers, carrier crew, and diplomatic/service passport holders. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if arriving from a country with transmission risk. Enhanced health screening remains in place due to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC.
Kenya eVisa Passport Validity: The 6-Month Rule Explained
Featured: To apply for a Kenya eTA in 2026, your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date, have at least two blank pages, and be a current machine-readable or biometric passport. You must also upload a clear scan of the passport bio data page during the application.
Kenya eTA passport requirements mandate that your passport remain valid for at least six months from your date of arrival in Kenya, per both gov.uk and the eTA portal at etakenya.go.ke. To avoid validity gaps, calculate from your UK departure date.
Worked example: if you fly out on 14 January 2027, your passport must remain valid until at least 14 July 2027. This gives a two-week safety buffer beyond the strict arrival-date rule.
UK child passports are valid for 5 years, not 10, so the six-month threshold can arrive sooner than parents expect. A child’s passport issued in March 2022 expires in March 2027, meaning any Kenya travel after September 2026 falls below the threshold. Kenya eTA passport requirements do not distinguish between adult and child passports.
Blank Passport Pages and Biometric Passport Needs
Kenya eTA passport requirements stipulate at least two blank pages for UK travellers and accept a standard machine-readable passport. A biometric chip is not mandatory.
The Kenyan eTA system technically requires only 1 blank page per etakenya.go.ke, but the UK FCDO advises British citizens to carry at least 2 blank consecutive pages for entry and exit stamps. UK FCDO recommends 2 blank pages for British citizens.
Kenya eTA passport requirements do not mandate a biometric e-passport for tourist travel. A standard machine-readable passport (MRP) is fully accepted. UK MRPs remain valid until 2028 for many holders.
The eTA is valid for 90 days from issue, permits single entry, and allows re-entry from East African Partner States while valid.
How to Upload Your Passport Bio Page for the Kenya eTA
Kenya eTA passport requirements specify that every applicant must upload a clear JPG or PNG scan of their passport bio data page with all four corners visible, no glare, and the machine-readable zone (MRZ) fully readable. Rejected uploads add 3 business days to processing.
Prepare the surface
Place your open passport on a dark, flat surface under natural daylight. Avoid direct flash.
Position the camera
Position the camera directly above the bio data page so all four corners sit within the frame.
Check legibility
Confirm the photograph, full name, date of birth, passport number, and MRZ text are sharp and legible.
Inspect for issues
Check for glare on the laminate, cropped edges, or colour distortion before saving.
Save and upload
Save the file as JPG or PNG and upload it during your application at etakenya.go.ke.
Kenya eTA passport requirements reject uploads with blurry images, glare, cropped edges, unreadable MRZ, or colour distortion. If rejected, retake and re-upload. Contact eTA support: [email protected], +254 717 436 070, WhatsApp +254 110 922 064.
Passport Condition, Name Matching and Other Key eTA Rules
Kenya eTA passport requirements demand an undamaged document: no significant water damage, no torn or binding-damaged pages, and no unauthorised amendments. Damaged passports are rejected at border discretion.
The name on your eTA must match your British citizen passport exactly, including all middle names. If your airline ticket differs from your passport, contact the airline before departure to avoid boarding refusal. Kenya eTA passport requirements also stipulate that dual nationals apply, board, and enter Kenya on the same passport used for the eTA application. British dual nationals returning to the UK must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement.
Holders of a British Emergency Travel Document (ETD) must contact the Kenya High Commission in London before travelling. The High Commission is located at
45 Portland Place, Marylebone, London W1B 1AS. Passport and ID section: Monday to Friday, 09:30 to 13:00 (appointment only). Chancery: Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00.
Kenya eVisa Passport Validity: What If Your Passport Doesn’t Meet the Requirements?
UK passport renewals via gov.uk take approximately 10 weeks for standard service or 1 week via the Fast Track service. Renew before applying for the eTA. A passport reported lost or stolen will result in denial of entry to Kenya. If your passport fails the 6-month validity rule, 2 blank page minimum, or condition standards, your eTA application will be rejected. See the UK government’s Kenya travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya/entry-requirements.
Last reviewed: September 2026. This guide is published by an independent travel information service and is not affiliated with the Kenyan Directorate of Immigration Services. All information is verified against official sources.
Kenya eTA Passport Requirements: FAQ
Can I travel to Kenya if my passport expires in 5 months?
No. The Kenya eTA requires your passport to be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival. Renew your passport if it expires within 6 months of arrival.
How many blank pages do I need in my passport for Kenya?
UK travellers need at least two blank pages. While the Kenyan system minimum is one blank page, the UK FCDO advises British citizens to carry two blank consecutive pages for entry and exit stamps.
Do I need a biometric passport for the Kenya eTA?
No. Kenya accepts standard machine-readable passports (MRPs) for eTA applications from UK travellers. Standard UK MRPs remain valid and accepted for tourist travel to Kenya.
What file format is accepted for the Kenya eTA passport upload?
You must upload a clear JPG or PNG scan of your passport bio data page. Ensure all four corners are visible, there is no glare, and the machine-readable zone (MRZ) is fully legible.
Can I use a damaged passport for the Kenya eTA?
No. Your passport must be undamaged, with no significant water damage, torn pages, or unauthorised amendments. Damaged passports are rejected at border discretion.
Does the name on my eTA need to match my passport exactly?
Yes. The name on your Kenya eTA must match your passport exactly, including middle names. Name discrepancies between your eTA, passport, and airline ticket can lead to boarding refusal.
What happens if my passport expires while I am in Kenya?
If your passport drops below the six-month validity threshold while in Kenya, you risk denial of any 90-day extension applications. Renew your passport before travelling if it will expire during your trip.
Can I re-enter Kenya with the same eTA after visiting Uganda?
Yes. The Kenya eTA is single-entry, but re-entry from East African Partner States (Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda) is permitted without a new eTA if the original remains valid.
How long before my trip should I apply for the Kenya eTA?
Apply at least two weeks before your departure date. Standard processing takes three business days, but two weeks provides a safety buffer. Expedited processing is available immediately for an additional $100 USD.
Can I use a UK Emergency Travel Document for the Kenya eTA?
The eTA system does not explicitly confirm ETD acceptance. Contact the Kenya High Commission in London before applying or travelling.
