Good news for travellers to Kenya: an e-Visa lets you apply online without visiting an embassy. This guide walks through the online application step by step in 2026 — fees, documents, processing and common mistakes.
Kenya visa at a glance
| Visa required? | Yes, for many nationalities |
|---|---|
| Main visa type | Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) |
| Government fee | US$30 (+ small processing charge; ~US$34 total) |
| Processing time | 24–72 hours (apply ≥3 days before travel) |
| Validity | Single entry, use within 90 days |
| Permitted stay | Up to 90 days |
| Where to apply | etakenya.go.ke (official) only |
| HolidaySG assistance fee | S$65 per applicant (usually S$100) |
Kenya e-Visa at a glance
- Fee: 30 USD
- Processing: Advised to apply at least 3 days (72h) before travel
- Validity: eTA valid for travel within 90 days of issue; single entry, 90-day stay
- Permitted stay: 90 days
- Where to apply: https://www.etakenya.go.ke
INDIA (ordinary passports) = mandatory eTA at etakenya.go.ke, USD 30, before travel. SINGAPORE = eTA-EXEMPT (visa-free) up to 90 days since 2025. Kenya replaced visas with the eTA for all non-exempt travellers.
How to apply for the Kenya e-Visa online
- Open the official e-Visa portal (https://www.etakenya.go.ke) and start a new application.
- Fill in your passport and travel details exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Upload a scan of your passport bio page and a compliant photo.
- Pay the fee (30 USD) by card.
- Wait for the emailed approval (Advised to apply at least 3 days (72h) before travel), then print or save it to show on arrival.
Documents you upload
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Passport bio-page scan
- Passport-style photo
- Return/onward ticket
- Accommodation details
- Yellow fever certificate if arriving from endemic area
Common mistakes, delays and rejection reasons
From handling Kenya visa applications, these are the issues that most often cause delays or refusals. Avoiding them is the single biggest thing you can control:
- Passport validity: many countries require at least six months' validity beyond your travel dates — renew early if yours is close.
- Insufficient proof of funds: bank statements that are too thin, too new, or not in your name are a common reason for delays. Show a stable balance over the last 3–6 months.
- Photo specification errors: wrong size, background colour, glasses or a smile can bounce an application. Follow the exact spec for Kenya.
- Applying too late: submit well before departure — allow the full processing window plus a buffer, not the minimum.
- Mismatched documents: names, dates and passport numbers must match exactly across your form, flight and hotel bookings.
- Weak ties to your home country: employment letters, leave approval and return bookings help show you intend to return.
- Prior overstays or refusals: declare them honestly; hiding history causes more problems than the history itself.
- Forgetting the arrival card: eTA doubles as arrival declaration — complete it in the correct window or you can be delayed at the border.
Before you travel to Kenya
- Arrival card / declaration: eTA doubles as arrival declaration
- Onward or return ticket: carry proof — airlines and immigration can ask for it.
- Funds: have evidence of enough money for your stay (card and some local currency).
- Travel insurance: strongly recommended, and mandatory for some destinations.
- Copies: keep a digital and paper copy of your visa/approval and passport photo page.
Official sources
- Kenya eTA — Directorate of Immigration Services — verified 16 August 2026
- Official government source — verified 19 August 2026
Last updated 20 August 2026. Written and reviewed by the HolidaySG visa team and checked against the official sources above (facts verified 19 August 2026). Visa rules change and depend on your passport, residence and purpose of travel — always confirm with the official source before booking, or use our visa checker. HolidaySG re-confirms current requirements at the time of your application.