Travelling to Kenya
What you need for Kenya, by passport.
- US passportGet an eTA ($30) and Kenyan health cover ($44)Action needed
- UK passportGet an eTA ($30) and Kenyan health cover ($44)Action needed
- Irish passportGet an eTA ($30) and Kenyan health cover ($44)Action needed
- Canadian passportGet an eTA ($30) and Kenyan health cover ($44)Action needed
- Australian passportGet an eTA ($30) and Kenyan health cover ($44)Action needed
- New Zealand passportGet an eTA ($30) and Kenyan health cover ($44)Action needed
Quick answers
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
It depends on your passport. US passport: Get an eTA ($30) and Kenyan health cover ($44). UK passport: Get an eTA ($30) and Kenyan health cover ($44). Irish passport: Get an eTA ($30) and Kenyan health cover ($44). Canadian passport: Get an eTA ($30) and Kenyan health cover ($44). Australian passport: Get an eTA ($30) and Kenyan health cover ($44). New Zealand passport: Get an eTA ($30) and Kenyan health cover ($44).
Good to know
Health insurance is compulsory. Since 5 October 2026 most visitors must have Kenya's own Inbound Travel Health Insurance, even if you already have travel insurance. It costs up to $44 per person and covers 90 days. You buy it during the eTA application; if your eTA was approved before then, buy it on insurance.ecitizen.go.ke. Airlines can check it before you board.
Use only the official eTA site. Apply only on etakenya.go.ke or Kenya's official eTA app. Sites that look similar aren't run by the Kenyan government. Your eTA must be approved before you set off.
Plastic bags are banned. Kenya bans plastic carrier bags. Leave plastic bags, including duty-free bags, on the plane or at the airport when you arrive. Fines for breaking the ban can be very high.
Yellow fever and Ebola checks. If you're coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever, including a stop of 12 hours or more in one, carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate. You can be refused entry without it. Because of the Ebola outbreak centred on the DRC, arrivals are being health-screened, especially people coming from Uganda, Ethiopia or the DRC.
Checked 28 October 2026 against Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya, eCitizen, Government of Kenya, Ministry of Health, Kenya, Kenya Airports Authority, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya and Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Kenya.
See the 13 official sources
- How to Apply: Terms of Application (Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya (official eTA site))
- General Information (Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya (official eTA site))
- Kenya ETA Eligibility (eTA types and fees) (Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya (official eTA site))
- FAQs (Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya (official eTA site))
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) (Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya)
- Extension of Visitor's Pass (Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya)
- Directorate of Immigration Services Service Delivery Charter 2025 (Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya)
- Kenya Inbound Travel Health Insurance (eCitizen, Government of Kenya)
- Incoming Travellers: health requirements for arriving travellers (Ministry of Health, Kenya)
- Before you fly (Kenya Airports Authority)
- Arriving and connecting (Kenya Airports Authority)
- Plastic Bags (ban on plastic carrier bags) (National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya)
- Kenya Assures Diplomatic Community as Ebola Response Intensifies (8 October 2026) (Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Kenya)