Kenya Transit Visa
The Kenya Transit Visa covers travellers passing through a Kenyan airport, such as Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, en route to a third country. Since 5 January 2024, transit is one of the purposes covered under Kenya’s unified Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system, applied for online at etakenya.go.ke, rather than a separate transit visa category. All foreign visitors except citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states are generally required to submit the relevant immigration information in advance, in compliance with Section 48 of the Kenya Citizenship & Immigration Act, regardless of whether they are visiting Kenya or transiting through it. As with every Kenya Visa category, the final decision on entry rests solely with Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services.
Eligibility
You may need a Kenya Transit eTA if:
- You are connecting through a Kenyan airport en route to a third country.
- You hold a valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity beyond your planned arrival date, and at least one blank page.
- You are not a citizen of an East African Community (EAC) member state, as these citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement.
Whether you need to formally clear Kenyan immigration during your layover — and therefore require the eTA — depends on your specific booking and whether you need to collect baggage, change terminals, or leave the airport during your connection. Confirm your specific routing requirements with your airline or the Kenya eTA portal before travelling.
Government Visa Fees
| Category | Fee |
| Standard eTA (all purposes, including transit) | USD 30 per traveller |
| Additional payment processing/bank charges | Approximately USD 1.50–2.00 |
Some older third-party sources cite a separate “Transit Visa” fee of around USD 21, reflecting the pre-2024 eVisa fee schedule — this has been superseded by the flat USD 30 eTA fee that now applies to all purposes, including transit. All eTA fees are non-refundable, whether the application 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 extend during busy periods or where further verification is needed. Since transit is tied to a specific flight connection, applicants should apply well ahead of their travel date — up to 3 months in advance, and at least a few days to a week before departure — to avoid disruption to their onward journey.
Required Documents Checklist
Step-by-Step Application Process
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
Applying for a Kenya Transit Visa requires accurate documentation, a confirmed onward journey, and compliance with the transit visa requirements prescribed by the Kenyan authorities. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide personalized guidance and end-to-end support, assisting you with transit visa application forms, passport documentation, confirmed onward travel tickets, destination visa (where applicable), travel itinerary, 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 transit visa requirements. We are committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and client-focused assistance throughout your Kenya Transit 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 Transit Visa application with confidence.