This page lists exactly what documents you need for a Kenya visa in 2026 — the paperwork immigration actually checks, drawn from Kenya's official requirements. Prepare these correctly and you remove the most common cause of delays and refusals.
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 visa documents checklist
For the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
- Passport valid ≥6 months
- Photo / selfie
- Return ticket
- Hotel booking / host details
- Yellow fever certificate if arriving from endemic country
- Card payment
For the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Passport bio-page scan
- Passport-style photo
- Return/onward ticket
- Accommodation details
- Yellow fever certificate if arriving from endemic area
For the eTA Exemption (Singapore & listed countries)
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Return ticket
- Proof of funds/accommodation may be checked
- Yellow fever certificate if applicable
For the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Passport bio-page scan
- Passport-style photo
- Return/onward ticket
- Accommodation details
- Yellow fever certificate if arriving from endemic area
For the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Passport bio-page scan
- Passport-style photo
- Return/onward ticket
- Accommodation details
- Yellow fever certificate if arriving from endemic area
Photo and passport specification
Most Kenya rejections at the document stage are avoidable: use a recent colour photo with the correct size and background, no glasses or headwear (unless religious), and a passport with at least six months of validity and free pages. Names and dates must match exactly across your form, passport and bookings.
Kenya visa for children and families
Children usually need their own visa or entry authorisation, even infants. For family applications, prepare each traveller's passport and photo, and add birth certificates for minors and, where a child travels with one parent or a guardian, a consent letter. Applying for the whole family together keeps travel dates and reference numbers consistent.
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.
Requirements by Kenya visa type
| Option | Official fee | Max stay | Processing | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) | US$30 (+ small processing charge; ~US$34 total) | Up to 90 days | 24–72 hours (apply ≥3 days before travel) | etakenya.go.ke (official) only |
| Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) | 30 USD | 90 days | Advised to apply at least 3 days (72h) before travel | https://www.etakenya.go.ke |
| eTA Exemption (Singapore & listed countries) | Free | 90 days | On arrival | https://www.etakenya.go.ke |
| Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) | 30 USD | 90 days | Advised to apply at least 3 days (72h) before travel | https://www.etakenya.go.ke |
| Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) | 30 USD | 90 days | Advised to apply at least 3 days (72h) before travel | https://www.etakenya.go.ke |
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.