Kenya eVisa Requirements in 2026: eTA Eligibility Guide for UK Travellers

Kenya replaced its eVisa system with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) in January 2024. UK travellers must meet specific Kenya eVisa requirements, now applying for the eTA online before departure. This guide covers 2026 eligibility, fees, and application steps.

Kenya eVisa requirements in 2026 centre on the Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), which replaced the former eVisa in January 2024. UK citizens must apply online at etakenya.go.ke before departure with a valid passport (6+ months, 2 blank pages), a digital photo, accommodation proof, and a return ticket. The fee is $30 USD (~£23 GBP), with standard processing up to 72 hours (3 working days). There is no visa on arrival. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.

This is an independent informational portal for travellers. We are not affiliated with the Government of Kenya or any embassy. All content is based on publicly available sources and the Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services. Last reviewed: September 2026.

eTA vs eVisa: What Changed and 2026 Updates

Last updated: September 2026. The Kenya eTA replaced the former Kenyan eVisa system in January 2024, and baseline rules remain in effect for 2026 with no major structural changes announced since the transition.

The Kenya eTA replaced the eVisa in January 2024. All eligibility criteria, document checks, and fee structures previously associated with the eVisa now apply to the Kenya eTA system via etakenya.go.ke. The term “Kenya eVisa requirements” is used in this guide because many travellers still search for it; the eVisa system was replaced in January 2024, and all requirements described here apply to the current Kenya eTA.

Holders of existing valid Kenyan visas issued before January 2024 may continue to travel on those visas until they expire. No new Kenya eTA is required while a prior visa remains valid.

Who Needs a Kenya eTA and Who Is Exempt

Every foreign national, including infants, must obtain a Kenya eTA before travel. No visa on arrival exists. The Kenya eTA applies to all purposes: tourism, business, medical, transit, conference, religious, student, work, or crew.

• EAC Partner States citizens (Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda) – exempt, up to 180 days stay without Kenya eTA.
• 90-day exempt countries (Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cyprus, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, The Bahamas, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and others) – exempt, up to 90 days.
• 60-day exempt African countries (Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, and others) – exempt, up to 60 days.
• Valid Kenya work permit, Kenya Pass, or Kenya Permanent Residence holders – exempt; re-entry pass holders also exempt.
• Direct air or sea transit passengers remaining airside or aboard the same vessel – exempt.
• Serving members of the British Military – exempt.
• Diplomatic passport holders from specific countries – exempt (Iran: 30 days; Turkey, Brazil, India: 90 days; China: 30 days).
• UN, AU, EU, COMESA, IMF, World Bank, IGAD, ILO, IATA laissez-passer holders on official business – exempt from both Kenya eTA and fee.

Applications are submitted via etakenya.go.ke. Dual nationals should apply using the passport they intend to travel on.

Kenya eTA Requirements for UK Citizens

UK passport holders are not exempt and must obtain a Kenya eTA before travel, requiring a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival with two blank pages. There is no visa-on-arrival option.

Dual nationals must use the passport matching the nationality declared on their Kenya eTA application; presenting a different passport at the border can result in entry complications.

Kenya High Commission UK:

Required Documents for Kenya eTA

A Kenya eTA application requires a valid passport scan, a digital passport photo, proof of accommodation, and a return or onward flight ticket, all uploaded via etakenya.go.ke.

Children and Minors

Every traveller under 18 requires a separate Kenya eTA. Applications for minors must include a birth certificate, plus a parental consent letter when the child travels with one parent or guardian.

Kenya eTA Cost and Processing Time

The Kenya eTA fee is $30.00 USD (~£23 GBP) with standard processing up to 72 hours (3 working days). GOV.UK recommends applying at least 2 weeks before departure.

Accepted payment methods: The portal accepts Visa, Mastercard, and other major credit/debit cards. UK cardholders may incur a foreign transaction fee from their bank.

Check status at etakenya.go.ke with your reference number or passport details. If pending beyond 72 hours, contact [email protected] or call +254 110-922062, +254 110-922063, +254 110-922064 (WhatsApp: +254 110 922 064). Portal support also available at +254 717 436 070. General enquiries: [email protected] or +254 202 222 022.

Fee exemptions apply to EAC partner state citizens, diplomatic and official passport holders on duty, and UN/AU/COMESA laissez-passer holders on official business.

How to Apply for a Kenya eTA

The Kenya eTA application runs entirely through etakenya.go.ke. GOV.UK recommends applying at least 2 weeks before departure.

Validity, Stay Duration and Border Control

The standard Kenya eTA is valid for 90 days from the date of approval and permits a maximum stay of 90 days per entry. You must enter Kenya before the validity window expires; a new Kenya eTA is required for any subsequent trip after expiry. Stay extensions can be requested through the Foreign Nationals Portal (eFNS).

At JKIA Nairobi, biometric capture (fingerprinting/facial recognition) and QR code scanning occur. Be prepared to show return ticket and accommodation address. Both a digital copy on a smartphone and a printed PDF are accepted at border control, though a printed backup is recommended. Airlines verify Kenya eTA status before boarding; denied boarding is possible without a valid Kenya eTA.

Kenya eTA Rules and Updates for 2026

Last updated: September 2026. As of September 2026, baseline Kenya eTA rules remain in effect. No major structural changes have been announced since the January 2024 transition from the eVisa system. The $30 USD fee, 72-hour processing time, 90-day validity, and 90-day maximum stay all remain unchanged for 2026.

What’s New in 2026:

• No fee adjustments or newly exempt nationalities announced
• Processing time remains up to 72 hours (3 working days)
• The Kenya eTA portal at etakenya.go.ke continues to operate with the same functionality: account creation, application submission, status checking, and eTA validation
• Enhanced health screening continues for arrivals from DRC, Uganda, and Ethiopia (see Health Requirements section)

Applying Directly vs Using an Agency

The Kenya eTA costs $30.00 USD (~£23 GBP) when submitted directly via etakenya.go.ke, while third-party agencies such as VisaHQ, OneVasco, and iVisa charge £60 to £120+ GBP for the same authorisation.

Avoid sites imitating the Kenya eTA portal and never respond to emails demanding an additional “eTA confirmation fee.”

Health Requirements and Yellow Fever Rules for Kenya Entry in 2026

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required when arriving from or transiting through a Yellow Fever endemic country for 12 hours or more. UK travellers flying direct to Kenya typically do not need one. Requirements are based on WHO International Travel and Health regulations.

Enhanced health screening remains in place for arrivals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Ethiopia due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak, which the WHO has classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. For the latest list of endemic countries, see who.int. For detailed medical entry requirements, refer to TravelHealthPro’s Kenya guide.

Customs: Drone importation/exportation is illegal without prior approval from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). Declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

FAQ: Kenya eVisa Requirements 2026