Kenya eTA — apply online

• After you submit, your application is reviewed by the Kenyan authorities, which verify your biographic information and the answers you gave to the eligibility questions.
• Applications are generally processed within up to five (5) business days (excluding weekends and public holidays), counted from the next day after all required documents are received in full and correct form; processing may take longer depending on the verification process, so apply well before travel, ideally at least two (2) weeks prior to your trip.
• Track your application at any time on our Track your order page — you'll also get email updates from us at each stage, and our support team is available 24/7 if you'd like a status check.
• Watch the email address you used and respond promptly if the authorities request additional information or ask you to re-upload a document, providing clear, legible files through the official portal.
• An approved/granted status means your eTA has been issued and a PDF authorisation is attached to your approval email.
• An in-process/pending status means a decision has not yet been made and the application is still being verified (this can include a query asking for more documents or information).
• A rejected/denied status means you cannot travel on that application; review the reasons given in the denial notice, correct any mistakes, and reapply.
• If your application is approved, print the PDF authorisation attached to the email, or download it to your mobile device so you can present it on your journey.
• Carry the eTA (printed or on your device) together with your valid passport, as the authorisation may be checked at departure and is required at arrival.
• Important official caveat: "The possession of an eTA is not the final authority to enter the Republic of Kenya. Admissibility will be determined at the point of entry."
• On arrival, present your eTA and passport to the Immigration Officer, who makes the final decision on whether you may enter and, by issuing a Visitor's Pass, for how long you may stay.
• At immigration on arrival, your biometric data is collected, including your fingerprints and a photograph; this typically takes only a couple of minutes.
• Enter and exit Kenya only through designated ports of entry and exit (for example Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and Moi International Airport in Mombasa), where immigration processing takes place.
• When leaving, exit Kenya through a designated point of exit with valid travel documents, and make sure you depart within the period you were granted, since failing to do so constitutes an immigration violation.
• Ensure all the information you provide is complete, current, and accurate, and note that additional supporting documents may be required depending on the purpose of your visit (for example tourism, business, medical, family visit, or transit).

• Prepare a passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond your planned arrival date in Kenya and with at least one blank page.
• Have a clear digital passport-style photograph or a recent selfie ready to upload, showing your full face against a plain background.
• Have a scan or clear photo of the bio-data page of your passport.
• Prepare your travel itinerary, including your flight or travel details with arrival and departure dates.
• Have proof of accommodation ready, such as a confirmed hotel booking or an invitation letter from your host in Kenya.
• Have valid contact details available, including a working email address and a telephone number.
• Carry a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are travelling from a country where yellow fever is a risk.
• Have a valid payment method available, such as a credit or debit card.
• Apply well in advance of your trip; processing generally takes up to five (5) business days but can take longer, and it is recommended to submit your application at least two weeks before travel.

Tourist

No extra document beyond your passport bio page, photograph, itinerary and accommodation booking.

Business

A company invitation letter and a copy of the inviting company's registration document.

Conference

An invitation or participation letter from the organising body.

Family and Friend

An invitation letter from the host along with a copy of the host's identification (ID, passport, alien card, or entry permit).

Religious Visit

A letter from the religious organisation in Kenya confirming the purpose and dates of your visit.

Work

A copy of the employment contract. Note that the eTA itself does not grant the right to work — a separate work permit is required.

Transit

Proof of an onward ticket to a third-country destination. Transit is limited to a maximum of 72 hours.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is a document that foreign travellers who are not exempt must obtain online before entering Kenya. It replaced the traditional visa for most travellers and is a semi-automated system that confirms a visitor's eligibility to travel to Kenya.

Applying directly through Kenya's official portal, you pay only the government fee — no service fee. Applying through vuvgo adds a service fee on top of the government fee, and in return our team reviews your details and documents before submission to help catch mistakes that could cause a delay or rejection, answers questions along the way, and emails you at each stage from confirmation through to delivery of your approved eTA.

All visitors who are not in an exempt category must hold an approved eTA before travelling, including infants and children, and each traveller needs their own individual eTA. Since 2025, citizens of nearly all African countries (except Libya and Somalia) and of many non-African countries are exempt, so you should check your nationality before applying.

Yes. Regulations that took effect in 2025 greatly expanded the exemptions. Citizens of the East African Community partner states may stay up to 180 days, citizens of almost all other African countries are exempt for 60 or 90 days, and a long list of non-African countries are exempt for up to 90 days. Always confirm your nationality's current status before paying for an application.

Most applications are decided within about three (3) working days, but the standard processing window is up to five (5) business days (excluding weekends and public holidays), and verification can occasionally take longer. It is recommended to apply at least two weeks before your planned travel date.

The eTA is valid for travel within 90 days from the date of issue, and you must enter Kenya within that period. It is generally a single-entry authorisation, although it remains valid for re-entry if you briefly leave Kenya to visit another East African Community partner state.

Your length of stay is decided by the immigration officer at the point of entry. A Visitor's Pass is normally granted and may be extended, with the total stay generally not exceeding 180 days.

No. An eTA is not the final authority to enter the country. Admissibility is always determined by an immigration officer at the point of entry, who may ask for additional documents such as a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds.

You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date with at least one blank page, a passport-style photo or selfie, your contact details, your travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, and any extra documents required for your purpose of travel.

Yes. Where an eTA is required, every traveller must have an approved eTA regardless of age, so a separate application is required for each child and infant.

You must arrive through one of Kenya's designated entry points, which include major international airports such as Jomo Kenyatta (Nairobi) and Moi (Mombasa), designated seaports such as Mombasa and Lamu, and designated land borders such as Busia, Namanga, and Moyale. You choose your point of entry during the application.

Passengers who arrive and leave by the same aircraft, or transfer without leaving the airport precincts, are exempt. If you leave the airport or otherwise do not qualify for the transit exemption, you may need an eTA and proof of an onward ticket to a third country.

No. The eTA is for visits such as tourism, business meetings, and family visits and does not authorise employment. Anyone intending to work in Kenya must apply for a separate work permit.

Once a decision is made you will receive an email. If approved, you can print the attached PDF, save it to your mobile device, or store it in the official 'Kenya Travel Authorisation' mobile app, and you should present it to the airline at check-in and to the immigration officer on arrival.