Kenya Visa: Requirements, Types, Fees & How to Apply
Start your applicationIt depends on your passport. Most foreign nationals need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before traveling to Kenya. Kenya's official eTA portal is operated by the Directorate of Immigration Services. Some nationalities are exempt from the eTA requirement.
Kenya visa at a glance
- Government fee
- USD 30 for eligible applicants — passed through at cost, no markup
- Official processing
- 3 working days (Directorate of Immigration Services ETA)
- Validity / stay
- Up to 90 days
- Visa types
- 4
Do you need a visa for Kenya?
Check the official Kenya eTA portal for your nationality's entry requirements before booking. A visa or eTA does not guarantee entry — border officials make the final determination at the port of entry.
Kenya visa types
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
- Tourism, leisure, business — Up to 90 days
- Single-entry visa
- One visit for tourism or business — Up to 90 days
- Transit visa
- Passing through Kenya to a third country — Per the transit rules
- Student / Work permit
- Study or employment in Kenya — Varies by permit
Who is eligible
Whether you need an eTA for Kenya depends on your nationality:
Infants and children also need an approved eTA before the start of their journey.
eTA-exempt nationalities may enter Kenya without an eTA under bilateral or regional agreements — confirm the current list with the Directorate of Immigration Services.
eTA-required nationalities need an approved eTA before travel for tourism, business, or family visits.
Documents required for a Kenya visa
What the consulate expects in your file. The controlling checklist is always the one published for your country of residence.
- Valid passportusually 6+ months validity from the date of entry.
- Completed eTA application formCompleted eTA application form.
- Recent passport photoRecent passport photo.
- Proof of travel itineraryProof of travel itinerary.
- Proof of accommodationProof of accommodation.
- Proof of financial meansProof of financial means.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate where requiredYellow fever vaccination certificate where required.
Kenya visa fees and processing time
- Government fee
- USD 30 for eligible applicants — passed through at cost, no markup
- Expedify processing fee
- Shown before you start
- Validity / stay
- Up to 90 days
- Official processing
- 3 working days (Directorate of Immigration Services ETA)
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
- 3 working days
Government fees are passed through at cost. Processing times are the authority's official estimate, stated as a fact — not a delivery promise.
How to apply for a Kenya visa
The official route, step by step.
Confirm you need an eTA
Check the official eTA portal for your nationality.
Create an account and complete the online application
Create an account and complete the online application.
Upload your documents in the order requested by the portal
Upload your documents in the order requested by the portal.
Pay the government fee through the official payment channel
Pay the government fee through the official payment channel.
Track your application and download your eTA when approved
Track your application and download your eTA when approved.
Applying yourself vs. with Expedify
The authority decides your visa either way. The difference is how much of the process you carry.
Research
- Apply yourself
- Check Kenya's requirements yourself
- With Expedify
- We confirm what you need for your route
Document check
- Apply yourself
- Common errors cause refusals
- With Expedify
- Pre-reviewed before submission
Submission
- Apply yourself
- You upload and pay directly
- With Expedify
- We prepare your application and guide you
Status tracking
- Apply yourself
- You check the portal
- With Expedify
- We track and notify you at every step
Government fee
- Apply yourself
- Same
- With Expedify
- Same — passed through at cost, no markup
At the border: what to expect
A visa lets you present yourself for entry — it does not guarantee admission. Entry into Kenya is decided by immigration officials at the port of entry.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with your eTA or exemption documentation.
- Return or onward travel ticket.
- Proof of accommodation and itinerary.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate where required.
Conditions of stay
- Stay length is set by the officer at entry — it can be less than your eTA's maximum.
- A visitor eTA is not a work permit — no employment.
- No full-time study on a visitor eTA.
- Depart before your permitted stay ends; overstaying is an immigration violation.
Common reasons a Kenya visa is refused
Knowing these before you apply reduces your risk.
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation
documents that don't match your application form.
Insufficient financial means
evidence that doesn't clearly cover your trip.
Unclear travel purpose
an itinerary that doesn't explain where you're going and why.
Weak ties to your home country
limited evidence you'll return after your stay.
Frequently asked questions
Kenya visa questions, answered.
More for your Kenya trip
Last verified Reviewed by Expedify Compliance Review
About this service
Expedify is a private application-assistance service, not a government agency, embassy, or consulate. Visas are granted solely by the destination country's authorities, and no third party can influence or guarantee a decision. Our agency fee covers preparation, review, and tracking of your application, and is separate from any consular fee. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice — requirements change and vary by nationality. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting.