Kenya express eTA: urgent processing

Start the application on etakenya.go.ke or the official app, choose the expedited processing type and pay the combined fee by card. The same documents are required as for a normal eTA, and the immigration officer can still refuse the application or deny entry at the border. Fees are non-refundable, including the express surcharge, and a new application after an input error costs the full amount again. From 5 October 2026 remember to add the mandatory Kenyan travel health insurance, which is purchased separately and is also checked by airlines at check-in.

The eTA portal lists every eTA type with a normal and an expedited price. According to the official FAQ, normal applications may take up to 72 hours, while expedited ones are processed immediately for an additional USD 100. The option applies to the transit, standard and multiple-entry eTAs. The general information page notes that applications are usually processed in three days and that an urgent service exists, but still advises applying at least two weeks before travel.

Diplomats, who receive a standard eTA free of charge, may also choose to pay for the faster service. The Directorate's 2025 service charter does not list priority fees for permits or passes, so expedited processing is officially available only for the eTA.