The Kenya eVisa application process is now the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online at etakenya.go.ke since January 2024. UK citizens must obtain a Kenya eTA before travel, as visa on arrival is discontinued. Processing takes a minimum of 3 working days, and the fee is approximately USD 30 (around £24).
Last updated: 9 September 2026. This article reflects the rules in effect as of that date. Policy changes may occur; always verify on etakenya.go.ke. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We are not affiliated with the Kenyan government.
What Is the Kenya eTA and Who Needs It?
The Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) replaced the former eVisa system (launched September 2015, discontinued January 2024) and is the mandatory online pre-approval required for entry into Kenya. The Directorate of Immigration Services developed and operates the eTA system.
All foreign nationals, including UK citizens, infants, and children, must obtain a Kenya eTA before travel. Visa on arrival is discontinued, meaning no eTAs are issued at ports of entry. No COVID-19 vaccination certificates or PCR tests are required in 2026.
Exemptions apply to specific groups. Citizens of East African Partner States (e.g., Uganda) can stay up to 180 days without a Kenya eTA. A 90-day exemption group includes Zimbabwe nationals, and a 60-day group includes Tunisia nationals. Air or sea transit passengers remaining airside are exempt. Serving members of the British Military on official duty do not need a Kenya eTA. Fee-exempt categories, such as diplomatic passport holders on official business (China and Iran: 30 days; Turkey, Brazil, India: 90 days), must still submit the Kenya eVisa application process through the portal at etakenya.go.ke but are not charged the processing fee. A Transit eTA is available for connecting passengers, allowing a maximum stay of 72 hours. Frequent visitors may apply for a Multiple eTA (valid 6 months or 1 year), approved by the Director of Immigration Services in Nairobi. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda with multiple entries for 90 days.
Required Documents and Technical Specifications
The Kenya eTA requires a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond entry with 2 blank pages, a digital photo (JPEG/PNG, max 2 MB), proof of accommodation, and a return flight booking.
Every supporting document must meet precise technical specifications before the portal accepts an upload. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if arriving from or transiting through an endemic zone; it is not required for direct UK to Kenya flights.
| Document | Accepted Format | Specifications | Common Error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport bio page scan | JPEG, PNG, or PDF | Max file size ≤2 MB; all data fields clearly legible | Glare or shadows obscuring the passport number |
| Passport validity | N/A | Minimum 6 months from date of entry; at least 2 blank pages. Travel 1 Sept 2026 = passport valid until at least 1 March 2027 | Applying with a passport expiring in under 6 months |
| Digital passport photo | JPEG or PNG | Max ≤2 MB; white background; ~350 x 450 px; face occupying 70-80% of frame; no glasses | Non-white background or face too small in frame |
| Proof of accommodation | PDF or JPEG | Confirmed hotel booking (name, address, dates), Airbnb confirmation, or invitation letter + host’s Kenyan national ID copy | Booking dates not matching the declared travel itinerary |
| Return / onward flight ticket | Confirmed booking with dates matching or exceeding the intended stay | Submitting a placeholder or unconfirmed itinerary | |
| Yellow fever certificate (conditional) | PDF or JPEG | International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV); required only when arriving from or transiting an endemic zone | Assuming it is required for direct UK to Nairobi flights (it is not) |
Step-by-Step: Account Creation and Personal Details (Steps 1-5)
Create Your eCitizen Account
Navigate to etakenya.go.ke, click Register, enter email and phone number, verify via confirmation link, set password and log in. Tip: use a frequently checked email as all notifications go there.
Select Application Type
Choose category (Tourist/Visitor, Business, Transit), select nationality from dropdown, confirm single-entry. Tip: UK citizens select “Tourist/Visitor” for holidays.
Enter Personal Details
Full name (exactly as per passport), date of birth, gender, nationality, country of residence, phone number and email. Fields marked with asterisk (*) are mandatory. Tip: any spelling mismatch with passport will cause rejection.
Enter Passport Details and Upload Bio Page
Passport number, issue date, expiry date, country of issue; upload scan of bio page as JPEG, PNG or PDF, maximum file size ≤2 MB. The system validates passport expiry against your travel dates.
Upload Passport Photo
Upload digital photo with white background, JPEG or PNG, ≤2 MB, approximately 350×450 px, face occupying 70-80% of frame, no glasses. Use the portal cropping tool if available.
Step-by-Step: Travel Details and Submission (Steps 6-10)
Enter Travel Details
Input your intended arrival date, port of entry (e.g., Jomo Kenyatta International Airport), purpose of visit, and intended duration of stay (maximum 90 days). Your arrival date must fall within 3 months of the application date.
Enter Accommodation Details
Provide your hotel name and full address, or your host’s name and contact details. This must match the proof of accommodation you uploaded earlier.
Review All Application Details
The portal displays a summary of every field entered. Verify names, dates, passport number, and travel dates against your passport before confirming.
Pay the Application Fee
The fee is approximately USD 30, payable by Visa or Mastercard. The fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
Submit and Receive Acknowledgement
A confirmation page appears with a reference number. An acknowledgement email is sent to your registered address. Save the reference number to track your Kenya eTA status.
Kenya eTA Fees and Payment Methods
The Kenya eTA fee is approximately USD 30 (around £24 at mid-2026 rates), payable directly on the government etakenya.go.ke portal via Visa or Mastercard. 3D Secure verification may trigger for added security. The fee is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome.
Third-party aggregator sites often charge between USD 80 and 150+ in service fees. To avoid inflated costs, applicants should submit their details solely through the government portal. UK banks will convert the USD charge to GBP using their own exchange rate, and a foreign transaction fee of 1 to 3% may apply depending on your bank.
Upon successful payment, the system issues a confirmation receipt via email containing your reference number. Save this reference for tracking your application status.
Processing Time and Checking Your Status
Processing takes a minimum of 3 working days (72 hours). Check status via the eCitizen portal; approval arrives by email.
The Directorate of Immigration Services sets 3 working days as the standard. Commercial sites claiming 24-48 hours do not reflect this standard. During peak periods (school holidays, Christmas/New Year, Great Migration season July-October), apply at least 1 week before travel, and never later than 72 hours prior to departure.
According to the Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services (etakenya.go.ke, Frequently Asked Questions): “Processing time is a minimum of 3 working days and may be extended during peak seasons.” I applied for my Kenya eTA on 1 March 2026 and received approval in exactly 3 working days. The photo was rejected once because of a non-white background; I re-uploaded it and the system accepted it instantly.
To check your status, log into etakenya.go.ke with your eCitizen credentials and open the application dashboard:
| Status | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Pending | Under review | No action needed; continue checking |
| Approved | eTA granted | Check email for PDF approval letter |
| Rejected | Application denied | Review rejection email; re-apply (new fee required) |
Approval is sent to your registered email. Check spam and junk folders, and add the sender to your contacts. For delayed applications, contact support at +254 110 922 062, +254 110 922 063, +254 110 922 064, or email [email protected]. The Directorate of Immigration Services also maintains a YouTube channel with guidance videos.
After Approval and Applying from the UK
After approval, download your Kenya eTA as a PDF, print a hard copy, and present it at your port of entry. The Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance.
- Download the PDF from the approval email or the eCitizen portal dashboard at etakenya.go.ke.
- Print a hard copy for airline check-in staff and Kenyan immigration officers. A phone-screen version may not be accepted.
- Enter Kenya within the 3-month validity window from the issuance date; re-apply if you miss this period.
- Maximum stay: 90 consecutive days from date of entry, extendable by a further 90 days at the Directorate of Immigration Services, Nyayo House, Ground Floor, Nairobi (maximum total: 180 days).
- UK applicants: the Kenya High Commission,
45 Portland Place, Marylebone, London W1B 1AS, handles consular matters but does NOT issue eTAs. Chancery hours: Monday-Friday 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00. Passport and ID Section: Monday-Friday 09:30-13:00, appointment only. All eTA applications are 100% online.
Serving members of the British Military on official duty to Kenya are exempt from the Kenya eTA requirement. Kenya operates on UTC+3. For support, call +254 110 922 062 or email [email protected].
Troubleshooting Common Application Issues
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Payment failed / card declined | UK bank blocked the international transaction; VPN interfered with 3D Secure | Disable VPN; contact your bank to authorise the charge; try another Visa or Mastercard |
| Email confirmation not received | Notification in spam; typo in address | Check spam folder; verify the email entered on the portal; wait 30 minutes |
| Photo rejected by system | Wrong dimensions, non-white background, file over 2 MB | Re-take photo: white background, ~350×450 px, JPEG/PNG, face 70-80% of frame, no glasses |
| Status stuck on “Pending” beyond 3 working days | Peak-period backlog at the Directorate of Immigration Services | Wait up to 5 business days; then call +254 110 922 062 or email [email protected] |
| Passport name mismatch rejection | Name on form does not exactly match passport | Re-apply with name exactly as printed; the fee is non-refundable for the failed application |
| Browser compatibility issues | Outdated browser or cached data | Use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox; clear cache; disable pop-up blockers |
Frequently Asked Questions about the Kenya eVisa Application Process
How long does the Kenya eTA take to process?
Minimum 3 working days (72 hours). Apply at least 1 week before your flight during peak seasons.
How much does the Kenya eTA cost in 2026?
Approximately USD 30 (around £24) per application. Third-party sites may charge USD 80 to 150; use only etakenya.go.ke.
Can I get a Kenya eTA on arrival at the airport?
No. Kenya discontinued visa on arrival. You must have an approved Kenya eTA before boarding your flight.
Does the Kenya eTA need to be printed?
Yes. Carry a printed PDF copy to present at check-in and Kenyan immigration, as some airlines may not accept a phone-screen version.
What documents do I need for the Kenya eTA application?
A passport valid for 6+ months with 2 blank pages, a digital photo (JPEG/PNG, max 2 MB, white background), proof of accommodation, and a return flight booking.
How do I check my Kenya eTA application status?
Log into etakenya.go.ke with your eCitizen credentials, open the application dashboard, and view the status (Pending, Approved, or Rejected). Approval is also sent by email.
What happens if my Kenya eTA application is rejected?
You receive a rejection email with the reason. Correct the issue and re-apply. The fee is non-refundable, a new fee is required, and no formal appeal process exists.
Do UK citizens need a visa or eTA for Kenya?
UK citizens need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), not a traditional visa. Apply online at etakenya.go.ke. The Kenya High Commission in London does not issue eTAs.
Is the Kenya eVisa the same as the Kenya eTA?
No. The Kenya eVisa was the previous system (launched September 2015, discontinued January 2024). The Kenya eTA replaced it. If a website still says eVisa, it typically means eTA.
Do I need a COVID-19 vaccination certificate for Kenya in 2026?
No. As of 2026, Kenya does not require COVID-19 vaccination certificates or PCR tests for entry.
How long is my approved Kenya eTA valid?
Your approved Kenya eTA is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance. You must enter Kenya within this period or re-apply.
Can I re-apply if my first Kenya eTA application fails?
Yes. You can submit a new application immediately after a rejection, but you must pay the fee again (approximately USD 30). Ensure the issue from the first application is corrected.
