Key takeaways
- US citizens need an approved Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before departure; the official site lists a $30 standard single-entry eTA as of October 2026.
- The official site also lists a $185 Five Year Multi-Entry eTA for American nationals, a $300 One Year Multi-Entry eTA and a $20 Transit eTA.
- Kenya's immigration directorate says processing normally takes three working days and recommends applying at least two weeks before travel.
- Every traveler needs their own eTA, including infants and children, and an eTA is not a guarantee of entry; admissibility is decided at the border.
- Apply only on the official site, etakenya.go.ke, and carry your approval, itinerary and accommodation details when you travel.
Yes, US citizens need an approved Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before they fly. As of October 2026, Kenya's official eTA site lists a $30 standard single-entry eTA, and processing normally takes about three working days, so apply at least two weeks before departure.
The rules below come from Kenya's own eTA portal, run by the Directorate of Immigration Services. Fees and requirements can change, so confirm the figures on the official site before you pay.
Do US citizens need an eTA for Kenya?
Yes. Kenya's eTA site says every traveler, including infants and children, needs an approved eTA before departure unless they fall under a listed exemption, and the United States is not on those exemption lists.
The groups that do not need an eTA include:
- Holders of Kenyan permanent residence, valid work permits and passes.
- Citizens of East African partner states (Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda) for stays of up to 180 days.
- Nationals of a list of other countries, mostly Commonwealth, Caribbean, Pacific and southern or eastern African states, for stays of up to 90 days, and nationals of 28 listed African countries for up to 60 days.
- Passengers who stay on the same aircraft, or change aircraft without leaving the airport, when transiting Kenya.
If you hold a second passport from an exempt country, check the official list and travel on the document that fits your situation. Kenya's site does not give guidance on dual nationals, so ask the Kenyan embassy if you are unsure.
How much does the Kenya eTA cost for Americans?
The standard single-entry eTA costs $30, and the official site lists several other types, shown below as of October 2026.
| eTA type | Official fee | What the site says |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | $30 | Allows entry into Kenya once |
| Transit eTA | $20 | For travelers on a transit flight through Kenya |
| Five Year Multi-Entry eTA | $185 | Listed for American nationals who visit Kenya multiple times |
| One Year Multi-Entry eTA | $300 | Allows multiple entries for one year |
| Expedited processing | Additional $100 | Applications are processed immediately |
An East African Tourist eTA is listed as coming soon. The portal does not state how long an approved eTA remains valid on the pages we reviewed, so check the details shown during your application, and do not assume a validity period from third-party sites.
The multi-entry options matter mostly if you plan repeat trips. For a single safari or family visit, the $30 standard eTA is the one most travelers need. Add up the cost per person before you decide, since every traveler in your group needs their own authorization.
What documents do I need to apply?
You need a passport, a photo, contact details, an itinerary, an accommodation booking and a way to pay. The official list says:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months, with at least one blank page.
- A selfie or passport-style photo.
- An email address and phone number.
- Your arrival and departure travel itinerary.
- Accommodation booking confirmation.
- A credit or debit card or other payment method.
Some purposes of travel require extra papers. Business travelers need an invitation letter and a copy of the company's registration. Family visitors need an invitation letter from the host plus a copy of the host's ID, passport, alien card or entry permit. Conference attendees need an invitation or participation letter, and medical travelers need a hospital referral letter.
Because the itinerary and accommodation are required, book your first night and your onward or return flight before applying. If your plans are still fluid, choose a refundable hotel rate so you can apply without locking in a cost.
How do I apply for the Kenya eTA step by step?
Apply online on the official portal at etakenya.go.ke. The process works like this:
- Confirm you need an eTA by checking the exemption list on the general information page.
- Gather your passport, photo, itinerary, accommodation confirmation and any purpose-specific letters.
- Select the eTA type that fits your trip: standard, transit, or multi-entry.
- Start the application. Families and groups can select "Apply as a Group," but each person still gets an individual eTA.
- Pay the fee, submit, and keep your reference. The portal has a validation tool for checking the status of a submitted application.
- When approved, save a copy and print it. The site says the eTA must be shown at all departure and arrival points.
Someone may apply on another person's behalf if they enter that traveler's details and indicate they are applying for someone else. This helps with parents applying for children or travel agents helping clients.
How long does a Kenya eTA take to approve?
Kenya's immigration directorate says processing is typically three working days, or 72 hours, and some applications take longer because of verification. It recommends applying at least two weeks before you travel.
An urgent option exists for an additional $100, with applications processed immediately. Treat it as a backstop, not a plan. Applying early costs nothing extra and leaves time to fix a typo in a passport number.
If an application is denied, the official site says the traveler cannot travel to Kenya for the moment and should email the address listed on the portal to report their situation and get details. Do not buy nonrefundable tickets until your eTA is approved, or choose a fare you can change.
Does the eTA guarantee entry to Kenya?
No. The official site states: "The possession of an eTA is not the final authority to enter the Republic of Kenya." Immigration officers decide on admissibility when you arrive.
In practice, have supporting papers ready: your passport, the eTA approval, your return or onward ticket, and your accommodation details. These are the same items you supplied during the application, so officers can check them against it.
What about connecting through Nairobi?
Passengers who stay on the same aircraft or change planes without leaving the airport are exempt, according to the general information page. A separate Transit eTA at $20 is also listed on the eligibility page for travelers on a transit flight.
The two pages do not explain how those fit together, so if your itinerary has a long layover, a separate ticket or an overnight stay outside the terminal, email the contact address on the portal before you book. If you leave the airport at all, apply for the standard eTA.
What mistakes do travelers make with the Kenya eTA?
The most common problems are avoidable: applying too late, using a passport that is close to the six-month limit, and applying for a group without giving each person their own details. Run through this checklist before you submit.
- Check that your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date and has a blank page.
- Match the name and passport number exactly to the passport you will carry.
- Apply for each traveler, including children, even when you are booking a single itinerary together.
- Choose the eTA type that fits your plans: single entry, multi-entry or transit.
- Keep digital and printed copies of the approval, because the site says it must be shown at departure and arrival points.
If you are also planning a trip to neighboring Uganda, remember that each country runs its own entry system, and the East African Tourist eTA that Kenya lists as coming soon is not yet available on the pages we reviewed.
How do I avoid fake or overpriced eTA sites?
Use etakenya.go.ke, and compare any fee you are quoted with the official list above. Other sites may add service charges for forwarding your application, and they cannot make approval faster than the government process.
The portal lists its own contact options, including email, WhatsApp at +254 110 922 064 and phone at +254 717 436 070, so you can reach the immigration directorate without a middleman. If a site asks for card details before showing the fee, close it and start again from the official address.
What should I book once the eTA is approved?
With the authorization in hand, you can lock in flights and ground arrangements. Compare dates on the fare calendars for New York to Nairobi, Atlanta to Nairobi and Washington Dulles to Nairobi. Fares change daily, so use the calendar rather than a quoted price, and see our guide to flexible dates and cheaper flights for ways to widen your search.
For the airport arrival, arranging a pickup in advance can save time after a long flight, and you can compare options under airport transfers. A local eSIM from travel services also lets you load your eTA and booking details as soon as you land.
Check your passport dates against Kenya's six-month rule when you start planning. If your passport is close to that limit, renewing it first avoids an eTA application that you would need to repeat on a new document.
Sources
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services: Kenya eTA (official portal)
- Kenya eTA: Eligibility and eTA types
- Kenya eTA: General information and exemptions
- Kenya eTA: How to apply
- Kenya eTA: Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need an eTA for Kenya?
Yes. Kenya's official eTA site lists exemptions for residents, East African Community citizens, and nationals of a number of other countries, and the United States is not among them, so Americans apply for an eTA before they fly.
How much is the Kenya eTA for Americans?
As of October 2026 the official site lists $30 for a standard single-entry eTA, $185 for a Five Year Multi-Entry eTA for American nationals, $300 for a One Year Multi-Entry eTA and $20 for a Transit eTA. Expedited processing costs an extra $100.
How long does the Kenya eTA take to process?
Kenya's immigration directorate says applications are typically processed in three working days, some take longer, and it advises applying at least two weeks before travel.
Do children need a Kenya eTA?
Yes. The official application page says every traveler, including infants and children, needs an approved eTA unless an exemption applies.
Is an approved eTA a guarantee of entry?
No. The official site states that an eTA is not the final authority to enter Kenya; admissibility is decided at the point of entry.
Where do I apply for the Kenya eTA?
On the official government site, etakenya.go.ke. Compare any other site's fee against the official fee list before paying.
General information, not legal advice. Found an error? Tell us and see our corrections policy.