The Kenya eVisa vs eTA transition is complete: the Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) fully replaced the former eVisa system in January 2024. For UK travellers in 2026, the eTA is the sole mandatory entry permit, costing approximately £24 and processing within 72 hours. It is a pre-screening authorisation, not a visa.
What Happened to the Kenya eVisa – And Why eTA Replaced It
The Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) fully replaced the former Kenya eVisa system on 5 January 2024, following a Presidential directive on a visa-free regime gazetted in Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 1 of 2 January 2024. The eTA is not a rebranded visa but a pre-screening travel authorisation that differs from the eVisa in legal nature, process, and entry conditions.
Before the eVisa, Kenya offered visa-on-arrival to over 40 nationalities. The eVisa itself was processed through the eCitizen platform, whereas the Kenya eTA now operates exclusively via etakenya.go.ke.
Critics called the eTA “a visa under another name,” as Kenya’s Africa Visa Openness Index ranking fell 17 places to 46th out of 54 nations. The official rationale cited advance security vetting.
Kenya eVisa vs eTA – Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Former Kenya eVisa | Current Kenya eTA |
|---|---|---|
| Application platform | eCitizen portal (evisa.go.ke) | etakenya.go.ke |
| Fee | Approximately USD 50 | Approximately USD 34 (~£24) – USD 32.50 base + USD 1.59 surcharge |
| Validity | 3 months, single entry | 90 days from date of issuance; stay duration determined at entry |
| Entry type | Multiple-entry options available | Single entry default (EAC re-entry exception applies) |
| Processing time | Up to 7 days | 3 working days (72 hours) |
| Border enforcement | Sometimes issued at the border | Mandatory before travel – no issuance on arrival |
How to Apply for Kenya eTA in 2026 – Step-by-Step for UK Travellers
UK travellers apply for the Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) at etakenya.go.ke through a seven-step online process costing approximately USD 34 (~£24) with processing completed within 3 working days (72 hours).
Visit etakenya.go.ke
The sole portal for Kenya eTA applications in 2026.
Create an account and validate your email address
Register on the portal and confirm your email to proceed.
Complete the form
Provide personal and travel details, accommodation, marital status, and emergency contact.
Upload required documents
Passport bio-data page, recent photo or selfie (JPEG, max 293 KB, plain background), arrival and departure itinerary, and accommodation booking confirmation.
Pay the fee
Approximately USD 34 via credit card, debit card, or Google Pay.
Receive confirmation email
From [email protected] containing a status tracking link.
Download the approved Kenya eTA
Save the approved eTA as a PDF document.
The Kenya eTA application window opens 3 months before your travel date and closes approximately 4 days before departure. Group applications cover up to 9 people per submission, and third-party applications are permitted with a representative email address.
Kenya eTA for UK Citizens in 2026 – What You Specifically Need to Know
All UK passport holders must obtain a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before departure, with no option to apply at the airport on arrival. The Kenya eTA costs approximately £24 (USD 34.09 total), payable online via credit card, debit card, or Google Pay. No exemption applies to British citizens travelling on ordinary passports.
Kenya eTA requires every applicant’s passport to remain valid for at least 6 months from the planned date of arrival into Kenya, with a minimum of one blank page. British military personnel serving in an official capacity are the only UK category exempt from the eTA requirement.
Airlines verify eTA status at UK departure airports before boarding – travellers without a valid Kenya eTA risk being denied boarding. No eTA is issued at Kenyan airports, so the authorisation must be secured online via etakenya.go.ke within the standard 3 working days (72 hours) processing window.
For application support, contact the Kenya eTA helpdesk: WhatsApp +254 110 922 064, phone +254 717 436 070, or email [email protected].
Kenya High Commission London: 45 Portland Place, Marylebone, London W1B 1AS. Passport & ID Section: Mon-Fri 09:30-13:00, by appointment only.
Kenya Entry Policy in 2025-2026 – What Changed and Who Is Exempt
In 2025, Kenya dropped the Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) requirement for citizens of most African countries, granting a 2-month visa-free stay. The Kenya eTA remains fully mandatory for UK and other non-African travellers in 2026. Citizens of Somalia and Libya still require the eTA due to security concerns.
The following categories are exempt from the Kenya eTA:
- East African Community (EAC) citizens – Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda – for stays not exceeding 180 days
- Holders of valid Kenya work permits, student permits, or residence permits
- Transit passengers remaining in the international zone (air or ship)
- British military personnel serving in Kenya
- Most African nationals under the 2025 policy update (2-month visa-free stay), except Somalia and Libya
Nationals of fee-waiver countries – including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Malawi, Mauritius, and others – must still apply for the Kenya eTA but pay $0. Diplomatic and official passport holders on official duty must also apply but are exempt from the eTA fee.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
A name or passport-number typo cannot be corrected – reapply and pay the fee again.
- Using unofficial third-party sites – the Kenya eTA is processed exclusively via etakenya.go.ke; any other site risks overcharging or scamming.
- Applying outside the valid window – applications are accepted only between 3 months and ~4 days before departure.
- Insufficient passport validity – the Kenya eTA requires a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival with at least 1 blank page.
- Wrong photo format – the Kenya eTA accepts only JPEG files up to 293 KB with a plain background; oversized or non-JPEG uploads are rejected.
- Assuming multiple entries – the standard Kenya eTA grants single entry only, except for the East African Community re-entry exception.
- Missing Yellow Fever certificate – mandatory upload for travellers from endemic countries.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the Government of Kenya. Always verify current requirements on the government portal etakenya.go.ke before applying. Last reviewed: September 2026.
Kenya eVisa vs eTA FAQ
Is the Kenya eTA the same as the Kenya eVisa?
No. The eVisa was a different system via eCitizen that was fully replaced by the eTA in January 2024. The eTA is a travel authorisation, not a visa, using a separate portal, etakenya.go.ke.
Do UK citizens need an eTA for Kenya in 2026?
Yes. All UK passport holders must obtain a valid eTA before travelling to Kenya. There is no visa-on-arrival option for British citizens. Apply online via etakenya.go.ke; airlines may verify your eTA status before boarding.
How much does the Kenya eTA cost for UK travellers?
Approximately USD 34 total (~£24), comprising a USD 32.50 base fee plus a processing surcharge of around USD 1.59. Payable online via credit card, debit card, or Google Pay.
How long does Kenya eTA processing take?
Standard processing is 3 working days (72 hours); apply between 3 months and 4 days before departure.
Can I get a Kenya eTA at the airport on arrival?
No. Kenya does not issue eTA at the airport; without an approved eTA you risk denied boarding and denied entry.
Is the Kenya eTA refundable if my application is rejected?
No. The processing fee is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome.
What happens if I lose my passport after getting an eTA?
The eTA is linked to your passport number. If you renew or replace your passport, the eTA is no longer valid. You must apply for a new eTA with your new passport details and pay the processing fee again.
Do I need to print my Kenya eTA or is a digital copy enough?
Your eTA is digitally linked to your passport, but carry a printed copy – airline check-in and border officers may request it.
