KENYAN ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS AND PERSONS EXEMPTED FROM eTA

In January 2024, the Kenyan Government abolished Visa requirements for foreigners visiting the country and replaced it with the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This was a positive milestone that made Kenya stand out as one of the few countries in Africa (joining Rwanda, Benin, Seychelles and Gambia) that are now Visa free. In this article we look at the requirements before applying for a Kenyan Electronic Travel Authorization and persons exempted from eTA.

It is worth noting that the requirement for an eTA is applicable to all persons coming into Kenya and thus as per the direction of the office of Immigration Services, all visitors including infants and children who intend to travel to Kenya must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before the start of their journey. However, as per the service, the following persons are exempted from obtaining the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

  1. Holders of valid Kenya Passports or one-way Emergency Certificate issued by Kenya Missions abroad.
  2. Holders of Kenya Permanent Residence, valid Work Permits and Passes.
  3. Holders of valid United Nation Conventional Travel Document issued by the Government of Kenya.
  4. Members of the Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations Accredited to Kenya.
  5. Citizens of the East African Partner States: These countries include Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. (Citizen from these countries are Exempted for Six (6) months beginning January 2024).
  6. All passengers in transit through Kenya arriving and leaving by the same aircraft or transferring to another aircraft and who do not leave the precincts of Airports in Kenya.
  7. All passengers arriving and leaving by the same ship, and who do not leave the ship.
  8. Members of crew of any ship, aircraft, train, vehicle or carrier; whose name and particulars are included in the crew manifest of the ship, aircraft, train, vehicle or carrier; and who is proceeding in such ship, aircraft, train, vehicle or carrier to a destination outside Kenya. and
  9. Owners of private aircraft stopping over for refueling in Kenya and who do not leave the precincts of the airport.

For other persons not in the above categories, the following documents are required for the application of an eTA.

For all travellers

Valid passport with at least one blank page.

Passport photograph.

Contact information: email address and phone number.

Details of your arrival and departure itinerary

Accommodation booking confirmation(s)

Credit card, debit card or other means of payment.

Based on your country of residence and citizenships the following may also be required:

  1. Financial assets / banks letter(s).

Based on your purpose of visit the following may also be required:

  1. Letter and/or appointment letter from the referring doctor/hospital.
  2. Conference invitation/participation letter.
  3. Employment contract.
  4. Supporting documents for resettlement.
  5. Vaccination(s) or test results certificates.
  • For travellers arriving for business
  • Invitation letter from company.
  • Copy of registration of the company.
  • For travellers visiting family
  • Invitation letter from family/host.
  • Identity card/Passport/Alien card/Entry permit of the family member/host.
  • For Diplomatic travel
  • A Diplomatic, Official and Service passport.
  • An official letter from the Country of Origin/Organization/ Foreign Affairs.

eTA processing time is three (3) working days but in some cases it may take longer.

For assistance in processing your Electronic Travel Authorization please contact us on info@aowangaadvocates.com or +254794600191

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