ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (eTA)

Beware of online Fraud

  • The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Rome or Government of Kenya will NOT be liable for any services or payments made through other websites apart from the official website https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en
  • Applications submitted through third party websites will be automatically denied and may lead to fraud and loss on your part.

eTA Validity before Entry

Once an eTA is issued, the visitor MUST enter Kenya within 90 days from the date of issue. If the visitor does not enter within 90 days, the eTA issued becomes invalid.

What is the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)?

  • Kenya eTA is a semi-automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to Kenya. An eTA offers permission to travel and is authorized by the Government of the Republic of Kenya.
  • An eTA does not determine whether a traveller is admissible to enter Kenya. Immigration officers will determine admissibility upon the travellers’ arrival.
  • The eTA application collects biographic information and answers to eligibility questions from the traveller.
  • eTA applications should be submitted at least 3 days prior to travel to ensure adequate time for authorisation.
  • Each eligible traveller is required to apply for an eTA before starting travel.
  • For more information, kindly click here

Persons who are Exempt from obtaining the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
1. Holders of valid Kenya Passports or one-way Emergency Certificates issued by Kenya Missions abroad.
2. Holders of Kenya Permanent Residence, valid Work Permits, and Passes.
3. All persons whose passports are endorsed with valid Kenya reentry passes or any other written authority in lieu of a re-entry pass.
4. Holders of valid United Nations Conventional Travel Documents issued by the Government of Kenya.
5. Members of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations Accredited to Kenya.
6. Citizens of the East African Partner States: These countries include Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda for a period not exceeding 180 days.
7. All passengers in transit through Kenya arriving and leaving by the same aircraft or transferring to another aircraft and who do not leave the precincts of Airports in Kenya.
8. All passengers arriving and leaving by the same ship, and who do not leave the ship.
9. Members of crew of any ship, aircraft, train, vehicle or carrier; whose name and particulars are included in the crew manifest of the ship, aircraft or carrier; and who is proceeding in such ship, aircraft or carrier to a destination outside Kenya.
10. Owners of private aircraft stopping over for refueling in Kenya and who do not leave the precincts of the airport.
11. Further details on persons exempted from Obtaining eTA and those exempted from paying are available here

Children

All visitors must apply for an eTA. For children under the age of 18, the legal guardian, parent or accompanying adult is responsible for filling in the application. We highly recommend that families apply as a group.

Requirements and Documentation

  • Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity with at least one blank page)
  • Selfie or Recent passport-type photo
  • Contact details (home address, telephone, email)
  • Travel information and flight itinerary (arrival flight number, date of departure of initial flight in case of connecting flights)
  • Proof of booking for the hotel you will be staying at (if staying with friends, a letter of invitation is accepted)
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate if coming from endemic countries (please check the WHO website for the updated list of countries)
  • Credit/Debit card for payment.

Based on your purpose of visit the following may also be required:

  • Letter and/or appointment letter from the referring doctor/hospital
  • Conference invitation/participation letter
  • Employment contract
  • Supporting documents for resettlement
  • Vaccination(s) or test results certificates

For travellers arriving for business

  • Invitation letter from company
  • Copy of registration of the company

For travellers visiting family

  • Invitation letter from family/host
  • Identity card/Passport/Alien card/Entry permit of the family member/host

For Diplomatic travel

  • A Diplomatic, Official and Service passport
  • An official letter from the Country of Origin/Organization/ Foreign Affairs

Benefits of Kenya eTA system

Kenya eTA will improve arrival processes into the Republic of Kenya by reducing the queues on arrival for health, customs, and immigration inspections.

Determination of Entry and stay in Kenya

The possession of an eTA does not guarantee entry to Kenya, the determination of entry/admissibility and stay in Kenya will be made by the Immigration Officer at the point of entry.

Duration of stay

The Immigration Officer will issue a Visitor’s Pass indicating the duration of validity of the eTA which may be extended for up to 90 days. It is obligatory to present a valid eTA during the check-in and boarding process.

Extension of eTA validity

  • If a visitor to Kenya wishes to extend the period of stay beyond that given on entry, they are advised to make an application for extension at the nearest Immigration Offices.
  • The maximum period that the Visitor’s pass can be extended is up to 90 days in the first instance and a further period of 90 days. The period of validity may not be extended beyond 180 days.

Multiple Entry

If you expect to travel to Kenya regularly or have multiple trips planned, we highly encourage you to download The Kenya eTA app here. You will be able to securely save your travel documents and profile on your phone which can be reused for future travel.

Re-entry

eTA is valid for a single entry to Kenya. However, the eTA remains valid for more than one entry in case of temporary departure/entry to one or more EAC Partner States: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. A visit to a country outside this block renders re-entry to Kenya subject to a new eTA.

How to Apply for eTA

  1. Visit www.etakenya.go.ke
  2. Click “Apply Now” and follow the instructions
  3. Make sure that all the data has been entered correctly
  4. Submit the application
  5. An email confirming receipt of your application will be sent to you
  6. An email confirming receipt of payment, if applicable, will be sent to you
  7. Upon decision by Immigration officer, an email confirming Approval / Refusal will be sent to you.
  8. If your application is approved, please either print the PDF document attached to the email, OR download the document to your mobile device OR save it in the Kenya eTA mobile app.

Payment for eTA

  • A valid credit or debit card is required to pay and complete the transaction. In case the payment fails, please wait a few minutes and try again, or check to make sure you have sufficient funds on the means of payment.
  • Cheques and cash are not accepted

Processing time for eTA

  • Processing time will vary depending on the type of eTA and your country of citizenship.
  • Standard processing time is three (3) working days.

Checking status of eTA application

You can check the status of your application any time by visiting the following URL: https://www.etakenya.go.ke

Rejection

  • If your application has been denied, you will not be able to travel to Kenya. Please contact eTA Kenya for assistance:

Email: etakenya@ecitizen.go.ke or  

WhatsApp at +254 110 922 064 or

Call:  +254 717 436 070.

  • You are only allowed to travel after your application has been approved.

Privacy of personal information

The Government of Kenya has taken all the necessary steps to protect your data in accordance with the relevant laws on data protection. Please refer to the Government’s Privacy Policy to get more information.