Check eligibility before paying
The requirement is nationality- and circumstance-dependent. Do not assume that everyone needs an eTA, or that a broad statement about African passports settles your own case. Start from the official portal and answer the eligibility questions for your passport, residence and journey.
An exemption from an application is not the same thing as a paid authorisation with a zero fee. If you hold a regional visa, residence permit or diplomatic document, check the relevant category rather than buying a standard application by default.
| Item | Official guidance |
|---|---|
| Standard application | From USD 30; payment charges may apply |
| Typical processing | 3 business days / 72 hours; may take longer |
| Before departure | Approval must be received before travel |
| Passport | At least 6 months validity and a blank page |
These are application terms, not a guarantee of approval or a universal requirement for every nationality. Check current exemptions and the final amount shown in the official portal.
Sources: Kenya eTA: official FAQs
Prepare the documents
The official FAQs list a passport with at least six months of validity and a blank page, a selfie or passport photograph, contact details, arrival and departure information, accommodation confirmation and a payment method. Requirements can vary by category, so follow the actual form for your application.
| Item | Practical check |
|---|---|
| Passport | Bio-data is legible; names and number match the form |
| Photo | Use the format requested by the portal |
| Travel information | Dates and arrival details are consistent |
| Accommodation | Provide the confirmation or host details the form requests |
| Email and phone | You can receive updates and retrieve the application |
| Payment | Review the final amount before authorising |
Sources: Kenya eTA: official FAQs
Apply through the official service
Type etakenya.go.ke carefully or use the source link below. Complete the form, review every traveller’s details and keep the reference after submission. The official service supports group applications, but each passenger still needs their own required authorisation.
Keep copies of your submission and the approval PDF. A receipt or submission email does not establish permission to board. If someone applies on your behalf, make sure you retain the reference and can inspect the documents and decision yourself.
Sources: Kenya eTA: official FAQs
Timing, fees and changes
Three business days is typical processing guidance, not a promise that submitting just before departure will work. Apply with a buffer for verification and additional documents. Do not confuse working days with a countdown that ignores public holidays or an incomplete application.
The advertised fee starts at USD 30; review payment charges and any optional faster service in the portal. A commercial agency’s larger total may include its own handling fee. It should not be presented as the government’s mandatory standard charge.
Sources: Kenya eTA: official FAQs
If approval is refused or details are wrong
The official FAQs say a refused applicant cannot travel at that point and should contact the service for further details. Use the application reference and official support channel. Do not try to solve a refusal by editing a saved PDF or purchasing an apparently identical approval from a different website.
For a changed passport, itinerary or significant application error, ask the authority what correction or new application is required. This guide does not invent a universal amendment rule. Also check health-document requirements separately: an eTA approval does not replace every other entry condition.
Sources: Kenya eTA: official FAQs · CDC: Kenya travel health
How eTA differs from an old visa application
The official FAQ describes eTA as the pre-travel authorisation replacing traditional visa requirements for most travellers. That does not make an old visa form, a commercial visa service or another country’s regional document the right application for every passport. Use the current eligibility decision on the official portal.
If an older guide sends you to a different application process, stop and check the authority’s current instructions. Keep the approved authorisation together with the passport used to apply, your accommodation details and onward travel information. An agent submitting on your behalf should provide the actual reference and decision, not just its own invoice.
Sources: Kenya eTA: official FAQs
Questions & answers
Does Kenya eTA cost exactly USD 30?
The official FAQ says standard processing starts at USD 30. Check the final charge and any optional services in the official portal.
Is three days guaranteed?
No. The FAQ describes typical processing of three business days / 72 hours and says verification may take longer.
Does every passport need an eTA?
Check current eligibility in the official portal. Exemptions and special document categories should be assessed for your own circumstances.
Can I travel with the application receipt?
Travel only after the required approval is issued. A receipt shows payment or submission, not approval.
Sources & verification
Checked on 21 September 2026. Prices apply only to the visitor category and dates stated. Route timings, suggested stays and budget scenarios are editorial planning estimates unless a source is specified.
- Kenya eTA: official FAQs - checked 20 September 2026.
- Kenya eTA: eligibility and requirements - checked 20 September 2026.
- CDC: Kenya travel health - checked 20 September 2026.
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