Kenya eTA: fees, exemptions and how to apply

Regulation 15B of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations obliges every person travelling to Kenya to apply for and hold an eTA before embarkation, and carriers may not board passengers without one. The Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules 2025 list the exemptions shown on the eTA portal: holders of Kenyan permanent residence, valid work permits and passes or re-entry passes; citizens of the six East African Community partner states for up to 180 days; nationals of about 40 mainly Commonwealth, African, Pacific and Caribbean countries for up to 90 days; nationals of a further group of African countries for up to 60 days; airside transit passengers; ship passengers who stay on board; listed crews; and holders of UN, AU, EU and other international laissez-passers on official business.

Diplomatic and service passport holders of some countries are exempt for set periods, for example Türkiye (diplomatic, official, special and service passports, up to 90 days). Members of diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited to Kenya still apply, but do not pay for a standard eTA. Ordinary passport holders of non-exempt countries must apply.

The portal offers four types: a transit eTA for travellers passing through Kenya (USD 20), a standard eTA allowing one entry (USD 30), a one-year multiple-entry eTA (USD 300) and a five-year multiple-entry eTA reserved for American nationals (USD 185). An East African Tourist eTA is announced as coming soon. Expedited processing adds USD 100 to the normal fee. Payment is by credit or debit card. The terms and conditions state that fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, also when an application is refused or travel is disrupted, and that every new application after a data error is charged in full.

Diplomats travelling to Kenya on duty are not charged for a standard eTA but may pay for the faster service. The Directorate's 2025 service charter lists USD 30 and a three-day timeline for the standard eTA.

Applications are generally decided within three business days (72 hours), but verification can take longer. The official general information page recommends applying at least two weeks before travel. You receive an email confirming receipt, a second confirming payment and a third with the approval or refusal; the approved eTA arrives as a PDF that you print, store on your phone or save in the Kenya Travel Authorisation app and show at departure and arrival. Progress can be checked at any time with the reference number under Check Status.

If the eTA is refused you cannot travel to Kenya for the time being; the portal asks applicants to contact the eTA team by email for details of their situation. An approved eTA is not the final authority to enter: under regulation 15F admissibility is decided at the port of entry, and the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act lists categories of prohibited immigrants and inadmissible persons, such as people unable to support themselves or who refuse a required medical examination. Giving false information can lead to cancellation of the eTA, fines and a future entry ban.

Applications are accepted only on etakenya.go.ke and the official app; someone else may apply on your behalf if they enter your details and say so. The eTA desk can be reached on WhatsApp at +254 110 922 064 or by phone at +254 717 436 070, and the Directorate lists further eTA lines (+254 110 922 062 and +254 110 922 063) and the address etakenya@immigration.go.ke.