Kenya entry requirements, by passport
What you need to get into Kenya depends on the passport in your hand. Find yours below: the visa or e-authorisation, how long you can stay, the official fee and the government page to apply on.
32 of 33 passports verified on official pages · 1 not checked yet, marked below.
What each passport needs
| Passport | To get in | Stay | Document and fee | Apply | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Canada | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Mexico | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Brazil | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| United Kingdom | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Ireland | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Germany | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| France | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Italy | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Spain | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Netherlands | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Switzerland | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Russia | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Türkiye | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Israel | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| United Arab Emirates | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Saudi Arabia | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| India | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| China (mainland) | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Hong Kong SAR | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Taiwan | Not checked yetUse the official page for this passport. | Official page | Not verified | ||
| Japan | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| South Korea | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Singapore | Visa-free | up to 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Malaysia | Visa-free | up to 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Thailand | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Vietnam | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Philippines | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Indonesia | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Australia | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| New Zealand | Travel authorisation before you fly | up to 90 days (stay limit set at entry | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)Official fee: USD 30 (standard); expedited service costs an additional USD 100Apply: At least 2 weeks before travel recommended; standard processing about 3 working days (72 hours) | Official page | Verified |
| Nigeria | Visa-free | up to 60 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| South Africa | Visa-free | up to 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
Verified means NUM read it on a government page on 10–11 Oct 2026. Likely means a reputable source says it and one official page agreed. Not checked yet means NUM could not confirm it: use the official page. Fees are as published on that date and can change.
The rules everyone meets at the border
Passport
At least 6 months' validity from the date of arrival. Safe standard: 6 months left on the day you arrive.
Arrival card
No arrival card for most visitors.
Border systems for every visitor
All visitors need an approved eTA (USD 30) before departure unless in an exempt group (EAC citizens 180 days; listed African, Caribbean and Pacific/Asian states 90 or 60 days). From about 6 Oct 2026 the eTA portal also requires Kenya's mandatory inbound travel health insurance.
Onward ticket
eTA application requires an arrival and departure itinerary.
Travel insurance
Required. Mandatory Inbound Travel Health Insurance under Gazette Notice No. 11492 (Social Health Insurance Act): minimum USD 50,000 combined cover (USD 20,000 medical, USD 25,000 emergency medical transport, USD 5,000 repatriation of remains). Sold at insurance.ecitizen.go.ke for USD 44 plus fees (about USD 52 total), about 3 months' cover; the eTA portal detects the policy automatically and has blocked applications without it since about 6 Oct 2026. The scheme was suspended by a court on 24 Aug 2026 and upheld by the High Court on 7 Oct 2026. Home-country policies appear not to be accepted (Ministry statements conflict). FCDO's insurance page (7 Oct 2026) does not yet mention it.
Vaccinations
Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a yellow fever transmission-risk/endemic country (entry may be refused without it); authorities spot-check. Enhanced Ebola screening for arrivals from Uganda, Ethiopia, DRC and neighbours (WHO PHEIC 17 May 2026).
Cash to declare at customs
No maximum, but amounts above USD 10,000 (or KES equivalent) must be declared on arrival and departure with supporting documents. US dollar bills should be post-2014 and unmarked; destroying Kenyan shillings is illegal.
Medicines, vapes and banned items
Plastic carrier bags are banned (use, manufacture or import), with fines up to USD 40,000 and/or up to 2 years' prison; remove them from luggage. Drones need prior Kenya Civil Aviation Authority approval to import/export. Wildlife products and some medicines strictly controlled.
Travelling with children
Children and infants need their own eTA. Carry the child's birth certificate (or copy) or other proof of relationship; a notarised consent letter from an absent parent may be required, and unaccompanied minors need notarised parental permission.
Work, study, working holiday and nomad visas
Every official route NUM found for Kenya. You apply directly with the government.
Work permits
Foreign nationals taking employment or volunteering in Kenya
Apply from home country before travel (allow 6-8 weeks); working on an eTA is illegal
Tourist
All visitors not in an exempt group (tourism, business, transit through immigration, medical, family visits)
Stay: Up to 90 days
Passport 6+ months, photo, itinerary, accommodation booking, purpose-specific documents (invitation, conference letter, medical referral); mandatory inbound travel health insurance from Oct 2026
Official fee: USD 30 (expedited +USD 100)
What changed, and what is coming
- 2026-10-07 · In force High Court (Marsabit) dismissed the petition and upheld the insurance requirement. Source
- 2026-10-06 · In force eTA portal began requiring the USD 44 insurance policy before issuing an eTA. Source
- 2026-08-24 · In force High Court suspended the insurance scheme pending a petition. Source
- 2026-07 · In force Gazette Notice No. 11492 created mandatory inbound travel health insurance for visitors. Source
- 2026-05-17 · In force Ebola health screening for arrivals from Uganda, Ethiopia, DRC and neighbouring countries after WHO declared a PHEIC. Source
- 2025 · In force Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules, 2025 exempted EAC citizens (180 days), many African and Caribbean nationals plus Brunei, Cyprus, Malaysia, Maldives, San Marino, Singapore and Pacific states (90 days) and another group of African nationals incl. Nigeria (60 days) from the eTA. Source
Your checklist, with the dates it is due
NUM builds it for your passport and your travel dates: the authorisation and when to apply, the arrival card and the day it opens, what to carry at the border, your own country's exit rules, and a calendar file for every deadline.
Every document here is issued by a government, and the official link is the only place to get it. Most arrival cards and many authorisations are free. NUM is not a visa service and cannot apply for anything. Rules change without notice: the official page always has the final word.