Kenya eTA: Check Whether You Are Exempt Before Paying (2026)

Check whether you are exempt before paying

Kenya introduced its eTA system with the January 2024 visa-free policy. The eTA is not a traditional visa, but it is still a paid pre-travel authorisation for travellers who are not exempt.

The current official application guide lists several exemption routes:

• Kenyan citizens, permanent residents, valid permit or pass holders and other named statuses;
• citizens of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda for stays up to 180 days;
• named passport nationalities with exemptions of up to 90 days;
• named African passport nationalities with exemptions of up to 60 days;
• airside transit passengers who do not leave the airport, same-ship passengers, listed crew and other limited cases.

This is not the full legal wording. Open the live list and check the passport and status used for this trip.

If you match an exemption, stop. Do not pay for a standard eTA.

The official application route

If the official list says you need an eTA, use etakenya.go.ke or the official Kenya Travel Authorisation mobile app. The Government portal says applications must be made through one of those two channels.

Every traveller needs an individual result, including infants and children. The site supports group applications, but one approval is still required per passenger.

Fee and timing

The standard eTA starts at USD $30 and is generally processed within three working days/72 hours. The official FAQ says expedited processing costs an additional USD $100. Other eTA products can have different prices.

Apply early enough for a longer verification. Do not treat the first email as approval. The official sequence is receipt, payment confirmation when applicable, and then an approval or refusal decision.

An approved eTA is valid for travel within 90 days from issue. The immigration officer decides the permitted stay when you arrive.

What to prepare

The public guide lists:

• a passport valid for at least six months after planned arrival, with at least one blank page;
• a selfie or passport-style photo;
• email and phone contact details;
• arrival and departure itinerary;
• accommodation booking confirmation;
• a payment card or other accepted means of payment.

Purpose-specific documents can be added. Business visitors need a company invitation and registration copy. Family visitors need a host invitation plus the host’s identity or immigration document. Medical, conference, employment and resettlement trips can trigger other evidence.

The field guide reflects only those public requirements. The portal does not publish its live regexes, character limits or validation messages, so this guide does not claim any.

After submitting

Save the reference number and use “Check Status” at etakenya.go.ke. Travel only after the decision email says approved. Download the attached PDF or save it in the official app. The FAQ says to show the approved authorisation at departure and arrival points.

An eTA approval is permission to travel, not guaranteed admission. The immigration officer makes the final entry decision.

This independent guide is not affiliated with the Government of Kenya or any application service.