Kenya Tourist Visa
The Kenya Tourist Visa is no longer a traditional visa sticker or stamp. Since 5 January 2024, the Government of Kenya replaced its former visa and eVisa system with the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — a single, unified pre-travel clearance required for tourism, business, transit, and most other short visits. Travellers select “tourism” as their purpose when applying online at the official portal, etakenya.go.ke. The eTA is not a visa in the traditional sense; it is a security clearance confirming eligibility to travel, and the actual permitted length of stay is decided by an immigration officer at the port of entry, typically up to 90 days. As with every Kenya Visa category, the final decision on entry rests solely with Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services.
Eligibility
You may travel to Kenya for tourism under the eTA system if:
- You hold a valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity beyond your planned arrival date, and at least one blank page.
- You are travelling for tourism, sightseeing, or leisure purposes.
- You are not a citizen of an East African Community (EAC) member state (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, or the Democratic Republic of Congo), as EAC citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement.
- You are not a citizen of one of the African countries currently granted visa-free entry for stays of up to 60 days (note that Somalia and Libya remain subject to the eTA requirement despite the general African exemption, for security reasons).
Government Visa Fees
| Category | Fee |
| Standard eTA (all purposes, including tourism) | USD 30 per traveller |
| Additional payment processing/bank charges | Approximately USD 1.50–2.00 |
Every traveller, including infants and children, requires a separate eTA application and payment — there is no reduced fee for minors. All fees are non-refundable, whether the eTA is approved or denied.
Kenya Visa Processing Time
Standard eTA processing typically takes 24 to 72 hours (up to 3 working days), though this can take longer during busy periods or if additional verification is required. Applications can be submitted as early as 3 months before travel, and it is recommended to apply at least a few days to a week before departure to allow time for any delays. The approved eTA is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance, within which the traveller must complete their journey to Kenya.
Required Documents Checklist
Step-by-Step Application Process
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
Applying for a Kenya Tourist Visa requires accurate documentation, a genuine travel purpose, and compliance with the visa requirements prescribed by the Kenyan authorities. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide personalized guidance and end-to-end support, assisting you with tourist visa application forms, passport documentation, travel itinerary, hotel reservations, return flight bookings, financial documents, travel insurance (where applicable), and all required supporting paperwork. Our experienced consultants carefully review every application to help minimize errors, reduce delays, and ensure your documentation meets the applicable visa requirements. We are committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and client-focused assistance throughout your Kenya Tourist Visa application process. While the final decision on visa approval rests solely with the Kenyan immigration authorities, our goal is to help you submit a complete, accurate, and well-prepared Kenya Tourist Visa application with confidence.