Who needs a Kenya eTA, and who is exempt?
The eTA portal says all travellers to Kenya must submit information before departure, and that failing to do so can lead to being denied boarding or a penalty fee on arrival. The how-to-apply page says every visitor, including infants and children, must have an approved eTA before the journey starts.
Exemptions come in two layers, and the portal's pages do not say the same thing at the same level of detail:
- The exempt-travellers page names only Kenyan citizens and citizens of the East African partner states: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
- The general information page sets out 34 categories of people exempt from obtaining an eTA under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules, 2025. These include East African citizens for up to 180 days, a list of more than 40 nationalities for up to 90 days, a list of African nationalities for up to 60 days, and airside transit passengers.
| Your situation | eTA? | Exempt stay | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizen of Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania or Uganda | No | Up to 180 days | Travel on your passport |
| Citizen of a 90-day listed country, e.g. South Africa, Ghana, Malaysia, Singapore, Jamaica | No | Up to 90 days | Confirm your nationality on the list |
| Citizen of a 60-day listed African country, e.g. Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal, Morocco | No | Up to 60 days | Confirm your nationality on the list |
| Transit without leaving the airport | No | Airside only | Stay airside |
| Nationality not on any list, for example UK, US, Canadian or Australian passports | Yes | Check your approval | Apply at least 2 weeks ahead |
How much does the Kenya eTA cost, and how long does it take?
The portal's FAQ page lists two tiers: standard processing that may take up to 72 hours, starting at USD 30, and expedited processing done immediately at an additional USD 100. It says applications are generally processed within three business days but may take longer when checks are needed. The general information page recommends applying at least two weeks before travel.
Because children need their own approval, fees add up for families. At the listed starting prices:
| Party | Standard | Expedited |
|---|---|---|
| 1 adult | USD 30 | USD 130 |
| 2 adults | USD 60 | USD 260 |
| 2 adults, 2 children | USD 120 | USD 520 |
For a family of four, applying two weeks early instead of the week of the flight saves USD 400. The portal says standard fees start at USD 30, so check the amount at checkout.
What to prepare before you apply
The general information page lists what the application asks for:
- A passport valid for at least six months with one blank page.
- A selfie or passport-style photo.
- Your email address and phone number.
- Your itinerary, with arrival and departure dates.
- An accommodation booking confirmation.
- A credit or debit card for payment.
Some travel purposes need extra papers, such as a medical referral or an invitation letter. The U.S. State Department tells its citizens to have two blank passport pages, one more than the eTA portal asks for. If you are using an older passport, having two blank pages covers both.
Do you need a yellow fever certificate for Kenya?
Only if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. The UK's National Travel Health Network and Centre says a certificate is required under the International Health Regulations from travellers over 1 year old arriving from countries with risk of transmission. The certificate is valid for life.
Vaccination is a separate question from the entry rule. NaTHNaC advises it for travellers aged 9 months and older going to risk areas, including game reserves and national parks. It is generally not advised for trips only to Nairobi, Mombasa, the coast and the north-east, especially for people aged 60 and over.
Plastic bags and customs at the airport
Kenya's ban on plastic carrier bags took effect on 28 August 2017. The National Environment Management Authority says duty-free shop bags fall outside the ban only while they stay in airport duty-free areas. Travellers entering Kenya must leave those bags at the entry point. NEMA reports fines of KES 50,000 to 150,000 for violators, and some jail sentences.
The practical fix is to move duty-free purchases into your hand luggage or a cloth bag before landing.
The Kenya Revenue Authority sets the duty-free allowances for arriving passengers: 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine, 250 grams of tobacco products in total, and half a litre of perfume and toilet water, no more than a quarter of it perfume. Goods above these limits go on the passenger declaration Form F88. Currency of USD 10,000 or more, or the equivalent, must be declared.
What to do if something goes wrong
Your eTA is still pending close to departure. Pay for expedited processing, which the portal says is processed immediately, or contact eTA support through the details on the portal homepage.
You arrive without an approved eTA. The portal warns that you may be denied boarding or charged a penalty on arrival. Do not rely on sorting it out at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
You need to stay longer than your approval or exemption allows. Apply for a visitor's pass extension through the Directorate of Immigration Services' Foreign Nationals Management Services portal before your permitted stay runs out.
Once you land, our JKIA to city centre guide covers the ride into Nairobi.