Your Essential Guide to Kenya ETA

Yes. Since January 2024, almost every traveler entering Kenya needs an ETA, regardless of nationality and trip length. The few exceptions are East African Community citizens (Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda), diplomatic passport holders on official duty, and transit passengers staying airside at JKIA without crossing immigration. Even nationalities that previously enjoyed visa-free entry to Kenya now need to apply for the ETA before boarding.

Standard processing is 3 working days from submission. Many applications are approved within 24 to 48 hours; during peak safari seasons (July to October for the Great Migration, Christmas, Easter) it can extend to 5-7 days. We strongly recommend applying at least 7 days before departure to absorb any unexpected delay.

The Kenya ETA grants a single-entry stay of up to 90 days from your date of arrival. The ETA itself is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, meaning you must enter Kenya within 90 days of approval. The 90-day stay can be extended in Kenya at the Department of Immigration office in Nairobi (Nyayo House) or Mombasa, but extensions are limited and may require a Special Pass with additional fees.

The Kenya ETA is single-entry only. If you exit Kenya — even briefly to visit Tanzania for a safari, Uganda for a city break, or Rwanda for gorilla trekking — your ETA is consumed and you cannot re-enter on the same authorisation. To return to Kenya, you must apply for a new ETA. If your itinerary covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, consider the East African Tourist Visa ($100, multi-entry, valid 90 days for these three countries).

No. The Kenya ETA strictly authorises tourism, family visits, short business activities (meetings, conferences, contract negotiations, sourcing), transit, and short medical care. It does not allow paid employment by a Kenyan company, freelance work paid in Kenyan shillings, journalism for hire, or academic enrolment leading to a qualification longer than 6 months. For paid work, you need a Class D work permit sponsored by your Kenyan employer.

The total cost is $55 per traveler — $35 government fee + $20 Evisa Rocket service fee. Children under 16 travelling with a parent who already holds an ETA are exempt from the fee but must still be registered on the parent's application. The government fee is non-refundable once the application is filed, even if the ETA is denied.

If denied, the government fee is non-refundable. Evisa Rocket refunds our service fee on request for first-time denials caused by issues we should have caught. Common rejection reasons: photo non-compliant, passport less than 6 months from expiry, missing personal details, no return ticket, vague itinerary. We help diagnose the cause and re-apply correctly.

The Kenya ETA is accepted at all international airports (Jomo Kenyatta JKIA in Nairobi, Moi International in Mombasa, Eldoret International, Kisumu Airport, Wilson Airport for safari air-taxi connections), at all sea ports for cruise arrivals (Mombasa, Lamu), and at land borders with Tanzania (Namanga, Lunga Lunga, Taveta, Isebania), Uganda (Busia, Malaba), Ethiopia (Moyale), and South Sudan (Lokichoggio). Always declare your actual port of entry on the application.

Children 16 years and older need their own ETA at the full $55 fee. Children under 16 travelling with a parent who already holds an ETA are exempt from the fee but MUST still be registered on the parent's application — they cannot just travel on the parent's passport. Children travelling with one parent only should also carry a notarized authorization letter from the absent parent.

The Kenya eVisa was discontinued in January 2024 and replaced by the ETA. Functionally similar but with key differences: (1) the ETA is mandatory for ALL non-EAC travelers, including those who used to be visa-free, (2) the application asks for more travel itinerary details (specific safari operator, accommodation per leg), (3) processing is faster (3 days vs 7+ for the old eVisa), (4) the price changed from $51 to $35 for the government fee. If you used Kenya's eVisa system before, you must apply for the new ETA — your old eVisa is no longer valid even if it shows future validity dates.

Yes — the East African Tourist Visa ($100) is a separate, multi-country, multi-entry visa valid for 90 days across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. It is the most economical option if your itinerary covers all three. It is NOT compatible with the Kenya ETA — they are alternative products. If your trip is Kenya only, or Kenya + Tanzania (Tanzania is not in this scheme), use the Kenya ETA. If your trip is Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda, choose the East African Tourist Visa.

No. Visa on Arrival was abolished in Kenya in January 2024 along with the visa-free regime. The ETA must be approved before you board your flight — airlines verify it digitally at check-in and will deny boarding if it is missing or invalid. There is no on-arrival service at any Kenyan airport. Apply at least 7 days before departure.

Two main windows. July to October is the peak safari season — the Great Migration crosses the Mara River, weather is dry and cool, wildlife viewing is at its best, and prices are highest. January to February offers clear skies, baby animals (calving season in the Mara), and slightly lower prices. June to September is generally dry across most parks. Avoid April to May (long rains — many roads are impassable in the parks) and November (short rains).

Yes. One Kenya ETA covers the entire country: Nairobi and the central highlands, the Maasai Mara, all national parks, the Indian Ocean coast (Diani, Watamu, Malindi), the Lamu archipelago (UNESCO heritage), Mount Kenya, the Rift Valley lakes, and the western shore of Lake Victoria. There are no separate regional permits required for Kenya proper. Lamu can be reached by light aircraft from Nairobi or Mombasa, or by road then ferry.