In 2024 Kenya replaced its traditional visa system with a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). The change caught many travellers off guard: even citizens of countries that were previously visa-exempt now need an approved eTA before boarding a flight to Nairobi or Mombasa.
Who needs a Kenya eTA?
Almost every visitor. Unlike the old visa regime, the eTA applies to all foreign nationals, including travellers who never needed a visa for Kenya before. A small number of countries are exempt — check the exemption list on our Kenya eTA page before you apply.
What the eTA gives you
- Single entry to Kenya
- Stays of up to 90 days
- Valid for tourism, family visits and short business trips
If you plan to leave Kenya (for example, a safari crossing into Tanzania) and come back, you'll need a new eTA for the second entry — plan your itinerary before applying.
Requirements
- A passport valid for at least six months from your entry date, with one blank page
- A clear scan of your passport's bio page
- A recent passport-style photo (our photo guide shows how to take one at home)
- Proof of onward travel — a return or connecting flight booking
- Accommodation details for your first nights
Processing time
Kenya quotes up to 5 business days. In practice most decisions arrive sooner, but the authority can take the full window — especially around peak safari season (July–September). Don't book non-refundable travel until your eTA is approved; our processing-time guide explains why official and realistic timelines differ.
How to apply
You can apply directly through the government portal, or apply through Vuvgo if you'd rather have a human review your application before it's submitted. We check names against the passport MRZ, validate the photo against the spec, and fix the small errors that cause most rejections. The government fee and our service fee are always itemised separately before you pay.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Name mismatches — the name on the application must match the passport exactly, including middle names.
- Old photos — reused photos from previous documents get flagged.
- Applying too late — 5 business days is longer than many weekend trips; apply at least two weeks before departure.
- Assuming exemption — the eTA replaced visa-free entry for most nationalities; check before you fly.
If your application has already been rejected, see our visa rejection guide — many Kenya eTA refusals are recoverable with a corrected re-submission.