First time in Kenya – Visit your Embassy/Consulate
If you plan to stay in Kenya for a longer period, you should consider visiting the embassy or consulate of your country. In this way, they will be aware of your presence and can assist in case of an emergency, security problems or problems with the local authority.
The local representation may have keep a list of nationals in the country in case of any emergency rising.
Entering Kenya: The eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)
If you’re arriving in Kenya for the first time — or bringing family, visitors, or a new hire into the country — the entry process changed significantly in 2024. Kenya no longer issues visas or visa-on-arrival. Instead, almost everyone travelling to Kenya needs an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), approved before departure.
Since 5 January 2024, all visitors to Kenya — including infants and children — must hold an approved eTA before starting their journey. The eTA replaced the previous eVisa system and is issued through one official portal only:
⚠️ Apply only through this site. The government explicitly warns that applications submitted through third-party websites are automatically denied — and several lookalike commercial sites exist that charge extra fees for the same service.
Who doesn’t need one
- Citizens of East African Community (EAC) partner states — Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda — are exempt and can travel visa-free.
- Kenya permanent residents, and holders of a valid work permit or pass, are exempt — but the permit/pass must be endorsed in the passport, and travellers should carry evidence of it.
- Holders of a valid Kenyan re-entry pass.
- Transit passengers who don’t leave the airport, and various diplomatic/crew categories.
(Source: Directorate of Immigration Services, etakenya.go.ke)
Note for returning expats: if you already hold a Kenyan work permit, pass, or permanent residence, confirm your specific exemption status directly on etakenya.go.ke before travel — rules on what counts as valid endorsement can be strict.
What you’ll need to apply
- A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival, with at least one blank page
- A recent passport-style photo
- Confirmed travel itinerary (flight booking)
- Accommodation details in Kenya
(Source: etakenya.go.ke – How to Apply)
Cost, timing, and validity
- Check the current fee and payment methods directly on etakenya.go.ke — it’s paid online and is non-refundable regardless of outcome. (We’re deliberately not hardcoding a dollar figure here — it’s the kind of number that goes stale. Always confirm on the official site before paying.)
- Processing time: standard is 3 working days, but can take longer — apply as soon as your flights are booked, not last-minute.
- Validity: once approved, the eTA is valid for 90 days — you must enter Kenya within that window. On arrival, your permitted length of stay is set by the immigration officer at the airport.
- If you leave Kenya temporarily to visit another EAC state and return, your eTA generally remains valid; travel outside the EAC region requires a fresh application.
(Source: etakenya.go.ke, Kenya Embassy Vienna)
Extending your stay
If you need longer than your approved stay, you can apply for an extension at an Immigration Office in Kenya before it expires. Extensions are discretionary, so don’t leave this to the last minute.
This page covers eTA for visitors. If you’re moving to Kenya for work, see our separate [Work Permits & Passes] page (in progress) for eFNS and permit classes.
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