For most visitors, Kenya has replaced the tourist visa with an online travel authorization. Most visitors, including Emirati, Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, British and American passport holders, need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before they travel. A standard single-entry eTA costs USD 30 and is usually processed within 3 working days. Egyptian, Moroccan, Tunisian, Sudanese and Nigerian passport holders are exempt for up to 60 days. Ethiopian, Ghanaian, South African, Malaysian and Singaporean passport holders are exempt for up to 90 days, under Kenya’s Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules, 2025.
Your UAE residence visa does not affect any of this. This guide covers who needs an eTA, what each type costs, the documents to prepare, and how to apply from the UAE.
Key Takeaways
- Kenya’s entry rules depend on your passport. UAE residence does not change them.
- Everyone who is not exempt needs an approved eTA before the journey starts, including infants and children.
- A standard single-entry eTA costs USD 30. A transit eTA costs USD 20, and a one-year multiple-entry eTA costs USD 300.
- Processing usually takes 3 working days. Expedited processing costs an extra USD 100 and is immediate.
- Kenya recommends applying at least 2 weeks before you travel.
- Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan, Nigeria and about 20 other African countries are exempt for up to 60 days.
- Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore and about 40 other countries are exempt for up to 90 days.
- Apply only on etakenya.go.ke or the official “Kenya Travel Authorisation” app.
Do You Need an eTA for Kenya?
All visitors to Kenya must hold an approved eTA unless they fall into an exempt group. Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services lists the exemptions. For the passports most common in the UAE, it works out like this:
| Passport | What you need |
|---|---|
| UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain | eTA |
| India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Philippines | eTA |
| UK, US, Canada, EU countries, Australia | eTA (US citizens can also choose a 5-year multiple-entry eTA) |
| Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Somalia | eTA |
| Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, Djibouti | No eTA for stays of up to 60 days |
| Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore, Maldives, Cyprus | No eTA for stays of up to 90 days |
| Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, South Sudan (East African Community) | No eTA for stays of up to 180 days |
The full lists of 60-day and 90-day exempt countries are on the eTA general information page. Holders of Kenyan permanent residence, valid work permits and passes, and re-entry passes are also exempt. So are passengers in transit who stay within the airport and leave on the same or a connecting flight.
Diplomatic and service passports follow separate rules. For example, Indian diplomatic, official and service passport holders are exempt for up to 90 days, but ordinary Indian passport holders are not.
Kenya eTA Types and Fees
| eTA type | What it allows | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Transit eTA | For travelers on a transit flight through Kenya | USD 20 |
| Standard eTA | One entry into Kenya | USD 30 |
| One Year Multi-Entry eTA | Multiple entries for one year | USD 300 |
| Five Year Multi-Entry eTA | Multiple entries for five years, for American nationals | USD 185 |
| Expedited processing | Immediate processing | USD 100 extra |
Fees are from the eTA eligibility page and the eTA FAQs. An East African Tourist eTA is listed as “coming soon.” Because passengers who stay within the airport and connect onward are exempt, the transit eTA mainly matters if you leave the airport during a stopover.
Documents for a Kenya eTA
Have these ready before you start the form. The Directorate of Immigration Services asks for:
- a passport valid for at least 6 months, with at least one blank page
- a selfie or passport-type photo
- your email address and phone number
- your travel itinerary, with arrival and departure details
- an accommodation booking confirmation
- a credit or debit card for payment.
Some trips need more. Business travelers add an invitation letter and a copy of the company’s registration. Family visits need an invitation letter from your host and a copy of the host’s ID, passport, alien card or entry permit. Medical visits need a hospital referral letter, and conference visits need an invitation or participation letter. Vaccination or test certificates may also be requested.
How to Apply for the Kenya eTA
- Go to the official site, etakenya.go.ke, or the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” app, and select Apply Now. Families and groups need one eTA per person, so choose Apply as a Group.
- Complete the form and check that every detail matches your passport.
- Pay the fee by card and wait for the confirmation emails for your application and payment.
- Wait for the decision. An immigration officer approves or refuses the application, and you get an email either way.
- Save the eTA. Print the PDF, save it to your phone or keep it in the app. You must show it at departure and on arrival.
You can check your status at any time with the reference number from your email, according to the eTA FAQs. Do not travel until your eTA is approved. An approved eTA is permission to travel, not a guarantee of entry. The immigration officer at the border makes the final decision.
Timing
Standard applications are usually processed within 3 working days, but verification can take longer. The Directorate recommends applying at least 2 weeks before you travel. If you are short of time, the expedited option costs an extra USD 100 and is processed immediately.
Before You Travel
- Make sure nothing in the UAE stops you leaving by checking your UAE travel ban status online.
- Planning to drive on safari? Read our guide to the international driving permit in the UAE.
- For other short trips from the UAE, see our guides to the Turkey visa for UAE residents and the Georgia visa for UAE residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UAE residents need a visa for Kenya?
Most need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) rather than a visa. Whether you need one depends on your passport, not your UAE residence.
Do Emiratis need an eTA for Kenya?
Yes. The UAE is not on Kenya’s exemption lists, so Emirati passport holders apply for an eTA before traveling.
Do Indians in Dubai need a Kenya eTA?
Yes, if they travel on an ordinary Indian passport. The standard single-entry eTA costs USD 30.
Do Egyptians in the UAE need an eTA for Kenya?
No, for stays of up to 60 days. Egypt is on Kenya’s list of exempt African countries.
How much is the Kenya eTA?
USD 30 for a standard single-entry eTA, USD 20 for transit, USD 300 for a one-year multiple-entry eTA, and USD 185 for the five-year eTA for US nationals. Expedited processing costs an extra USD 100.
How long does the Kenya eTA take?
Usually 3 working days, though it can take longer. Apply at least 2 weeks before you travel, or pay for immediate expedited processing.
Do children need a Kenya eTA?
Yes. All visitors, including infants and children, need their own approved eTA unless their passport is exempt.
Do I need an eTA to transit through Nairobi?
Not if you stay within the airport and leave on the same or a connecting flight. If you leave the airport, you need a transit eTA, which costs USD 20.
Official Sources
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services: eTA General Information and exemptions
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services: How to Apply
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services: eTA Eligibility and fees
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services: eTA FAQs
Exemptions, eTA types, fees, documents and processing times checked on Kenya’s official eTA website in October 2026. The maximum length of stay on a standard eTA, and any vaccination certificate required on arrival, were not published on the pages checked.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Kenyan entry rules and fees are set by the Government of Kenya and are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the relevant official authority before proceeding with any application or transaction.
