Kenya replaced its old eVisa system with the Electronic Travel Authorization on January 5, 2024. It is cheaper, faster, and mandatory for every foreign visitor including infants. Here is exactly how to get one.
What the ETA Is
A pre-travel authorization you must have before boarding any Kenya-bound flight. It is not a visa waiver. It costs USD 30, processes within 72 hours, and is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Immigration officers at arrival still make the final entry decision.
Who Needs One
Every foreign visitor. No exceptions.
Who does not need one: citizens of EAC member states (Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda) for stays up to 180 days. Holders of Kenyan permanent residence or valid work permits. Transit passengers who do not leave the airport.
What to Have Ready
Passport valid for at least six months from arrival with one blank page. A passport-style selfie on a white or plain background. Flight itinerary with airline names, flight numbers, and dates. Accommodation name and address for your first night. Credit or debit card for payment. Yellow fever certificate if arriving from an endemic country.
How to Apply
Go to etakenya.go.ke. This is the only official portal. Applications through third-party sites get automatically denied.
Create an account. Select “Apply for ETA.” Choose tourism as your travel purpose. Enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport, any mismatch will flag or reject the application. Upload your passport bio page. Upload your selfie. Enter your flight and accommodation details. Pay USD 30 by card. Submit.
You receive a confirmation email with a reference number to track your status.
The Selfie Problem
This is where most applications fail. The system runs facial recognition against your passport photo. Shadows, cluttered backgrounds, glasses, or a different angle from your passport photo will trigger a rejection. Use a white wall, face the camera straight on, match your passport expression. It may take a few attempts.
How Long It Takes
Officially, three working days. Many clear within 24 hours. Apply at least two weeks before departure. One week is acceptable. Three days is the government’s stated minimum and leaves zero margin for error.
Once Approved
Enter Kenya within 90 days or the ETA expires. On arrival, immigration stamps a visitor’s pass, typically allowing up to 90 days. The ETA is single entry, but if you leave Kenya temporarily for another EAC country (Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda) your ETA remains valid for re-entry. Leaving for a non-EAC country like Dubai requires a new ETA.
Need to stay longer than 90 days? Apply for an extension at the nearest Immigration Office. Maximum total stay is 180 days.
Common Mistakes
Selfie rejected: wrong background, bad lighting, glasses on, or angle does not match passport photo.
Name mismatch: “Hans-Peter” in your passport entered as “Hans Peter” without the hyphen. Enter it exactly as printed.
Passport validity: six months minimum, but aim for seven. Borderline validity triggers manual review.
Payment declined: some African and Asian bank cards fail. Try a different card if your first is declined.
Families
Each child needs their own ETA. A family of four means four separate applications and four fees. The portal supports group applications to save time.
The Only URL That Matters
https://etakenya.go.ke Bookmark it. Ignore every other site offering to process your Kenya ETA.