Kenya has signed a reciprocal visa waiver treaty with a number of countries. This means citizens of these nations are exempt from obtaining a travel authorization for Kenya for short stays.
Foreign passport holders who are not citizens of these countries will need to get an eTA to travel to Kenya. All nationalities can now obtain a Kenya eTA through a simple online application.
Which Countries Can Enter Kenya Without an eTA?
At present, citizens of 6 countries are able to travel to Kenya without an eTA.
Although they do not need an eTA for Kenya, the majority of these foreign citizens are still required to have a passport valid for at least 6 months on arrival to gain entry to the country.
However, citizens of Uganda and Rwanda can enter Kenya simply by presenting a valid national ID card.
Additionally, holders of diplomatic or service category passports do not need a visa for Kenya.
However, ordinary passport holders from these countries are not eTA-exempt for Kenya. Luckily, all of these nationalities are eligible to apply for a Kenya eTA online.
Which Countries Do Not Need an eTA for Kenya?
Ordinary passport holders who are citizens of the following countries are currently eTA-free for Kenya:
- Burundi
- DR Congo
- Rwanda
- South Sudan
- Tanzania
- Uganda
How long can you stay in Kenya without an eTA?
The rules of the East African Community include the Free Movement of Persons and the Free Movement of Labour.
This means that citizens of all countries in this union can visit, work, and move to Kenya without a visa or eTA, with minimal permits and paperwork to obtain.
EAC citizens can potentially stay in Kenya indefinitely without an eTA.
What if I Am Not eTA-free to Enter Kenya?
Travelers who are not eTA-free for Kenya will be required to have an approved Kenyan eTA to enter the country. At present, it is necessary to apply for a Kenya eTA online before traveling to the country, as it is no longer possible to obtain a visa on arrival for Kenya.
Kenya eTA for travelers who are not exempt
Nationals of most countries worldwide must get the eTA for Kenya to visit for tourism, business, transit, or medical purposes.
All foreign citizens who are not eTA-free for Kenya are required to submit a Kenya eTA application online.
An approved Kenya eTA allows the holder to enjoy a stay of up to 90 consecutive days in the country. It is a single entry visa valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
Kenya eTA Application Requirements for Non-exempt Visitors
Travelers who are not exempt under Kenya’s visa waiver program have the following to meet the online Kenya eTA requirements:
- Passport
- Confirmed flight ticket for return or onward travel
- Proof of sufficient funds (such as bank statements) to cover the entire stay in Kenya
- Evidence of hotel bookings or other proof of accommodation in Kenya
Once these requirements have been met, the applicant is able to complete the Kenya eTA form online. It only takes a few minutes to fill in the application using basic personal, passport, and travel details.
It is also necessary to supply a current email address at which to receive the approved eTA, and to pay the online Kenya eTA fee using a valid credit or debit card authorized for online payments.
Applicants are advised to submit their Kenya eTA form at least 7 business days in advance of their intended date of entry to allow for sufficient processing time. Once they have received their approved visa sent by email, they should print a copy to present to border officials on arrival.
