Verified Official Portal Rules — 2026 Edition
Kenya eTA Requirements by Nationality (2026)
Direct Answer: Under Kenya’s official immigration framework, all foreign travelers require an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) prior to boarding their flight, unless holding a passport from an exempt nation (such as EAC member states or bilateral treaty partners). Kenya does not issue visas on arrival. Official government processing typically takes three (3) working days.
Source: Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Amendment Rules, 2025–2026) • Last updated: September 2026
| Country & Nationality | Authorization Status | Permitted Stay | Processing Time | Action / Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India (IN) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| United States (US) | eTA Required | 90 Days / 5-Year Multi | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| United Kingdom (GB) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| Australia (AU) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| Canada (CA) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| Saudi Arabia (SA) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| United Arab Emirates (AE) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| Pakistan (PK) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| Bangladesh (BD) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| Bahrain (BH) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| Qatar (QA) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| Germany (DE) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| France (FR) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| Italy (IT) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| China (CN) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| Spain (ES) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| Netherlands (NL) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| New Zealand (NZ) | eTA Required | Up to 90 Days | 3 Working Days | View Guide → |
| Burundi (BI) | Exempt | Up to 180 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| DR Congo (CD) | Exempt | Up to 180 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Rwanda (RW) | Exempt | Up to 180 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| South Sudan (SS) | Exempt | Up to 180 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Tanzania (TZ) | Exempt | Up to 180 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Uganda (UG) | Exempt | Up to 180 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| South Africa (ZA) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Singapore (SG) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Malaysia (MY) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Cyprus (CY) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| San Marino (SM) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Bahamas (BS) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Barbados (BB) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Botswana (BW) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Brunei (BN) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Ghana (GH) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Maldives (MV) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Mauritius (MU) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Namibia (NA) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Zambia (ZM) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Zimbabwe (ZW) | Exempt | Up to 90 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Egypt (EG) | Exempt | Up to 60 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Ethiopia (ET) | Exempt | Up to 60 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Morocco (MA) | Exempt | Up to 60 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Nigeria (NG) | Exempt | Up to 60 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
| Senegal (SN) | Exempt | Up to 60 Days | No eTA Needed | Exemption Applies |
Showing 44 countries. Government requirements are subject to statutory adjustments.
eTA Required Nations
Travelers from the United States, India, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Gulf States (UAE/Saudi), and most non-exempt countries must secure an approved eTA online before boarding.
EAC Partner States
Citizens of Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and DR Congo are exempt from eTA requirements and may enter with national passports or identity cards for up to 180 days.
Exempt ≠ No Check
Exemption eliminates the eTA fee and pre-application, but travelers must still carry a passport with 6 months validity, return flights, accommodation proof, and yellow fever certification where applicable.
Need Your Kenya eTA Documents Pre-Checked?
Official government applications cannot be edited once paid, and rejections are strictly non-refundable. Our concierge team validates your passport scans, photo sizing, and entry details before official submission.
Frequently Asked Questions by Nationality
Yes. Contrary to widespread online misinformation, United Kingdom and Australian passport holders are NOT exempt from the Kenya eTA. The official Directorate of Immigration Services rules require all UK and Australian travelers (including infants) to hold an approved eTA before boarding.
Yes. US citizens must hold an approved Kenya eTA. US travelers have two options: the standard single-entry eTA (valid for 90 days from issuance) or the exclusive 5-Year Multiple Entry tourist eTA.
Yes. Indian citizens must apply online for an eTA prior to departure. Standard government processing takes approximately 3 working days, and documents must include a 6-month valid passport, recent photo, travel itinerary, and accommodation proof.
No. Kenya abolished all visas on arrival in January 2024. Airlines will deny boarding at your point of departure if you do not possess an official, approved eTA certificate linked to your passport.
Exempt travelers include citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DR Congo) for up to 180 days, and listed bilateral partner nations (such as South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Ghana) for stays up to 60–90 days.
No. Even if exempt from obtaining an eTA, travelers must still present a valid passport with at least 6 months validity, valid travel tickets, and meet yellow fever vaccination requirements if arriving from endemic countries.