Planning a safari, holiday, business trip or family visit to Kenya? Before boarding your flight, most international travellers need to complete Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) process.

The Kenya eTA application is completed online through the official Government of Kenya platform. The process is designed to collect your personal information, passport details, travel plans, accommodation information and supporting documentation before you travel.

While the application is straightforward, there are several stages where travellers need to enter information carefully. A mistake in your passport number, name, travel dates or supporting documents can create unnecessary delays.

In this guide, we take you through the Kenya eTA application process step by step, from opening the official website to receiving your approved authorisation.

Important: Kenya’s immigration requirements can change. Always verify the latest requirements directly through the official Kenya eTA portal before submitting an application.

What Is the Kenya eTA?

The Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization, commonly known as the Kenya eTA, is an online travel authorization that eligible foreign visitors obtain before travelling to Kenya.

It is applied for electronically rather than through a traditional embassy visa application.

The official Government of Kenya platform states that visitors who require an eTA must have an approved authorisation before starting their journey to Kenya. (Kenya eTA)

An approved eTA, however, does not automatically guarantee admission into Kenya. Final admission remains subject to immigration clearance at the point of entry.

Before You Start Your Kenya eTA Application

Before opening the application, prepare everything you are likely to need.

An approved eTA, however, does not automatically guarantee admission into Kenya. Final admission remains subject to immigration clearance at the point of entry.

Required documents and information

A valid passport

At least six months of passport validity from your planned arrival date

At least one blank passport page

A selfie or passport-style photograph

An active email address

A telephone number

Your flight or travel itinerary

Arrival and departure information

Accommodation booking confirmation

A valid payment method

Additional documentation may be required depending on the purpose of your visit.

For example, business travellers may need an invitation letter and company registration documents, while travellers visiting family may need an invitation letter and identification documents from their host. (Kenya eTA)

There are third-party websites that may offer application assistance or charge additional service fees. If you are completing the application yourself, use the official Government of Kenya platform.

Step 1 — Click “Apply Now”

Begin your application from the official Kenya eTA website.

The Government of Kenya specifically directs applicants to visit the official eTA portal and click “Apply Now.”

Step 2 — Choose Your Traveller Category

You will first distinguish between:

Tourists & Visitors

Diplomats

Step 3 — Declaration & Consent

The applicant reads the Declaration of Consent and confirms that they understand and agree to the terms.

This is particularly important because the official declaration states that the information provided will be used to determine eligibility to travel and that false or incomplete information may result in rejection. It also makes clear that an approved eTA does not itself constitute the final authority to enter Kenya.

You then choose whether you are submitting:

Individual Application

Group Application

If you’re travelling as a family, couple or group, the official FAQ confirms that you can select Apply as a Group. However, each traveller still requires an individual eTA.

This is one of the stages where your screenshot will be particularly useful.

Enter your passport information and carefully counter-check the information against the details automatically picked up by the system on the right-hand panel.

Step 7 — Upload Your Selfie / Photo

This is where the applicant enters their personal/contact information.

⚠️ PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

Make sure the email address you provide is correct and accessible. Your application communications and approved eTA document are sent electronically, so an incorrect email address can cause unnecessary problems.

The official system sends application confirmation, payment confirmation where applicable, and the eventual approval/refusal notification by email.

Enter your information exactly and accurately.

The traveller provides details about the planned trip, including:

Reason for travel = Tourism
Arrival details – Host country arrival flight details
Departure details – Host country departure flight details

For a safari traveller, this information should correspond with the actual travel arrangements.

The official requirements include details of the traveller’s arrival and departure itinerary.

Step 10 — Is Your Trip Financed by a Third Party?

This is a separate question in the application and should absolutely have its own illustration in your guide.

The traveller should answer according to their actual circumstances.

For example, if another person, organisation or entity is financing the trip, provide the information requested by the system.

Is your trip financed by a third party?

🟢 YES
⚪ NO

Step 11 — Customs Declaration

I would call this “Customs Declaration”, not “Customer Declaration.”

The portal describes this stage as questions relating to biosecurity, customs and law enforcement. One of the questions, for example, asks whether the traveller will bring currency or monetary instruments exceeding US$10,000 or its foreign equivalent into Kenya.

The key message:

Answer all customs and declaration questions truthfully and accurately.

Step 12 — Upload Required Documents

The official eTA site confirms that travel itinerary and other supporting documents may be required depending on the circumstances and purpose of travel.

📄 Flight ticket
📄 Travel itinerary provided by the safari operator
📄 Child consent letter — where applicable when travelling with a minor

Step 13 — Confirmation / Traveller’s Declaration

Before proceeding review and confirm your declaration and application information.

This is your “STOP AND CHECK” stage.

Kindly verify:

✔ Passport details
✔ Name spelling
✔ Email address
✔ Arrival date
✔ Departure date
✔ Flight information
✔ Travel purpose
✔ Uploaded documents

The official declaration warns that false or incomplete information can result in rejection.

Step 14 — Select the Type of eTA

The applicant selects the applicable eTA service.

For a normal tourist application, this will generally be the Standard Application.

The official FAQ currently states that the normal processing option starts at US$30, while an expedited option is available for an additional fee. Fees can change, so your final article should verify the live amount immediately before publication.

STANDARD

Regular processing

EXPEDITED

Faster processing

Step 15 — Proceed to Payment

The final stage you’ve identified is payment.

The applicant proceeds to pay using the available payment method.

The official FAQ states that payment confirmation is sent by email where applicable.