How foreigners will apply for ETA before visiting visa-free Kenya

The Kenyan ETA is a semi-automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to Kenya. 

Amid pending communication from the government on when the system will be rolled out, the state has announced the requirements an intending visitor needs to obtain the ETA by providing biographic information and answering eligibility questions.

In a step-by-step guideline listed on the ETA website, all visitors - including infants - will need:

• Valid passport for at least six (6) months after their planned date of arrival into Kenya with at least one blank page.
• Selfie or passport-type photo
• Contact information (Email address and phone number)
• Details of arrival and departure itinerary 
• Accommodation booking confirmation(s)
• Credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or other means of payment

The state adds that some visitors will also be required to provide financial assets and return flight ticket details based on their citizenship and country of residence.

Also based on citizenship and travel history, visitors will also need to provide their yellow fever certificates and other vaccination(s) or test results certificates.

If a visitor is making a business visit they will be required to show an invitation letter from the company and a copy or registration of the company.

Those making family visits will need invitation letters from their hosts and an identity card/Passport of the host.

A Diplomatic passport will be needed from those who are making diplomatic visits and an official letter from their origin country.

It is worth noting that all partner states in the East African Community (EAC) are exempted from ETA.

Visitors have been advised to submit applications at least 3 days before travel to ensure adequate time for authorisation. 

Travellers can also submit their applications up to 3 months before travel. 

"It is highly recommended that travellers apply as soon as they have booked their accommodations and transport tickets," reads part of the advisory.

Visitors have also been encouraged to download the Kenya Travel Authorisation mobile app that will be made available in January.

The application will enable one to securely save their profile and travel documents on their devices which can be reused for future travel.

Steps to apply

• One will have to visit www.etakenya.go.ke
• Click “Apply Now” and follow the instructions
• Make sure that all the data has been entered correctly
• Submit the application
• An email confirming receipt of your application and payment will be sent to you
• Upon decision by the Immigration officer, an email confirming Approval / Refusal will be sent to you
• If your application has been approved, print the PDF document that has been attached to the email or save it in the Kenya Travel Authorisation mobile app. The ETA needs to be shown at all departure and arrival points.
• If your application has been denied, you will not be able to travel to Kenya for the moment and you will need to contact support@etakenya.go.ke to report your situation and obtain further details. 
• You can check the status of your application at any time by visiting the following URL: https://www.etakenya.go.ke

Meanwhile, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has said that visitors will still need to apply for Visas to enter Kenya as the government is set to roll out the ETA system.

As of the time of this publication, the website indicates that issuance of ETA will start Thursday morning, January 4. 

Visa and ETA fees

In a gazette notice in November 2023, the government through the Ministry of Interior announced that ETA charges will be $30 (approximately Ksh.4,500) from January 2024.

The gazette notice also highlighted changes in visa fees, where a Single Entry Visa would cost $ 100 (Ksh.15,700), $500 (Ksh.78,500) for a Multiple Entry Visa, $160 (Ksh.25,120) for a 5-year Multiple Entry Visa and $200 (Ksh.31,400) for an extension of visa after six months.

Additionally, Sanctions for overstaying will cost $100, Referral/Multiple Entry Visa processing fees will cost $100, a Transit Visa for $50 (Ksh.7,850) and an East African Tourism Visa for $100. The changes were meant to be effective on January 1, 2024.

Road to stronger bilateral ties

Before the presidential declaration, Kenya had waived visa requirements for a number of countries.

According to Immigration information on eCitizen, nationals of 42 countries ranked as Category 1 had been exempted from obtaining a Visa.

Nationals from 144 other countries ranked as category 2, may be issued with e-Visas upon application on eCitizen platform.

While 25 groups have been exempted from the visa requirement, nationals from 16 other countries are not allowed to make e-Visa applications on eCitizen.

Visa-free policies are commonly applied only for tourist or business purposes and allow short stays between 30-90 days in a country. Importantly, visitors still need a valid travel document such as a passport to enter a visa-free state.

Nations establish visa-free entries to establish good diplomatic relationships or to achieve economic development.

As a proponent of free trade in Africa, President Ruto has on numerous occasions called on African nations to abolish visa requirements for its population.

This, Ruto says, will support the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which seeks to create a borderless market for African entrepreneurs and businesses.