Is the eTA the same as a visa?

No — it replaced Kenya's visa system entirely in January 2024 and is now the only entry authorization. There is no separate tourist visa to apply for.

Yes. The official portal states every visitor including infants requires an approved eTA.

🇰🇪 Kenya

🇰🇪 Kenya · eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

Kenya eTA — the visa is gone, everyone needs this now

Kenya replaced visas entirely with the eTA on 5 January 2024 — every visitor, including infants, now needs one. The government fee is USD 30 (base) and it is processed within 3 business days / 72 hours; a USD 100 expedited option gives immediate processing. Apply only at etakenya.go.ke.

who needs it	All non-Kenyan visitors, with no exceptions — the eTA is the single entry authorization since it replaced the old visa system.
government fee	USD 30 — base fee; USD 100 extra for immediate/expedited processingsource: Kenya eTA official FAQ · verified 2026-07
processing	3 business days / 72 hours standard; immediate with the paid expedited optionthe official FAQ states 3 business days as standard · source: Kenya eTA official FAQ · verified 2026-07
length of stay	Not officially confirmed in our source pass — commonly cited as up to 90 days for tourism, but this must be checked against the eTA portal before you rely on it.

documents you will need

Passport valid at least 6 months with a blank page
A selfie or passport-style photo
Email and phone contact
Travel itinerary showing arrival and departure
Accommodation confirmation

how the process runs

01Apply at the official portal etakenya.go.ke
02Upload your passport and photo and enter your itinerary and accommodation
03Pay the USD 30 base fee (add USD 100 only if you need immediate processing) — non-refundable
04Receive the approved eTA by email within 72 hours and carry it when you travel

why applications get refused

Note: Kenya's official FAQ does not publish a rejection-reason list. Commonly cited causes (incomplete documents, passport validity, mismatched information) are industry-inferred, not government-stated — treat them as guidance, not rules.

questions we actually get

Is the eTA the same as a visa?: No — it replaced Kenya's visa system entirely in January 2024 and is now the only entry authorization. There is no separate tourist visa to apply for.
Do infants need one?: Yes. The official portal states every visitor including infants requires an approved eTA.

rules change. we verify before we act.

This guide reflects the official sources as of 2026-07 (matrix 2026.Q3). For a decision about your own case, that is not enough — talk to a licensed advisor.

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