This article contains step-by-step instructions on how to apply for the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
Please note that entry requirements are always subject to change. For the most current and accurate information, we recommend checking the U.S. Department of State's website, the Government of Canada's website or getting in touch with the respective country's consulate or embassy.
What you need
To enter Kenya, all U.S. and Canadian passport holders will need to apply for an ETA. You will need your hotel information (learn how to find your hotel details) and your flight itinerary to apply.
When to apply
You can begin applying for your ETA once your hotel details have been released, around 30 days prior to departure. We recommend applying no later than 2 weeks prior to departure to allow time for processing.
How to apply
While our team is dedicated to keeping visa information up to date, please be aware that consulate applications are subject to change. As a result, your application may differ slightly from this guide. In such cases, use this guide as a reference, but follow your application’s instructions.
How to check a completed application’s status
You will be emailed an application reference number; you can use it to check the status of your application on the home page. You may also validate your ETA on the home page using your passport number.
For any questions regarding the application, please refer to their FAQs: https://etakenya.go.ke/faqs
You can also contact the government directly: etakenya@ecitizen.go.ke or WhatsApp at +254 110 922 064 or call at +254 717 436 070
Please note international calling may incur international service fees, please check with your service provider.
Walkthrough:
To fill out your application, the correct website address is: https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en. Navigate there and click “Apply Now.” This is for USA and Canadian passport holders.
Select “Tourists & Visitors” for your application purpose.
Read through the “How to Apply” disclosure and press “Continue.” Read through the “Declaration of Consent” and confirm the “I have read and agreed to the above.” You do not need to opt-in to giveaways or special offers. Press “Continue.”
Select your country of residence, the United States of America shows as a frequently selected option. For Canadian residents, you may search “Canada.” The “Continue” button will turn blue when confirmed, then click it.
If you are filling out the application on behalf of just yourself, you may select individual. If you are filling out the application on behalf of yourself and at least one other person, please select group.
To put a photo of your passport page, you may upload a photo. The page will be scanned for the information of the photo inputted. If the photo does not meet the requirements, you will get an error message. After inputting photo of passport photo, you must check off the box of reviewing the name and date of birth as scanned identity document.
The selfie you upload or take should be on a plain or white background, similar to the photo used for your passport picture. If the photo used does not match the passport bio page picture, you will get an error. It is recommended to NOT select “Use this photo.” You should re-take the selfie until the system matches the photo, it may take a few tries. You should try to re-create the passport bio page picture.
Fill in your contact information. The “Continue” button will open once the inputted information is valid
The reason for travel is Tourism.
You will put in information about your tour, including your flight information. Please input the day you arrive into and depart from Kenya, not the day you leave and arrive in the US/CA. You are arriving by air.
The flight you are arriving into Kenya on may be with an operating airline. Please input your airline first and then the corresponding flight number from the dropdown menu of flight number options. For example, you may be on Delta 8681 but the operating airline is Air France 814. If you do not see your flight information in any of the drop downs, you can select the “Can’t find your airline or flight number?” in blue to manually enter your information.
You will be flying into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the country of origin will be the United States. The “Continue” button will open when the inputted information is valid.
Do the same for the departure from Kenya. If you are returning home at the end of the Kenya tour (and NOT continuing to Tanzania), enter the flight details for your return flights. The departure airport will be Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
If you are continuing to Tanzania on your tour, enter the date you are entering Tanzania. You can find the date in your itinerary in your online account (U.S. travelers/Canadian travelers). You will select “Departing by Land” and enter the following information:
If you are continuing to Zanzibar, select “Departing by Air” and enter the details of your flight home as you will be returning to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport back in Kenya to fly home after Zanzibar. Country destination of your trip will be your home country.
For addresses in Kenya, you may put in each of your Kenya hotels on tour by pressing “add another.” You will need your hotel information and dates (learn how to find your hotel details). Press “save” after adding each hotel.
You will input your general information, including country of birth, nationality at birth, marital status, previous travels to Kenya, and any previous convictions. You may select “no” to your trip being financed by a third party.
You will be asked if you are bringing more than $10,000 into Kenya, opt “NO."
You will be prompted to put in a copy of your hotels and your airline information. Both of these can be found in your Go Ahead Tours Online Account or Mobile App starting at 30 days before departure. Learn how to find your hotel details You can screenshot your flight itinerary from your account or through the airline website. If you have booked your own flights, you will need to provide this information independently.
Read through the Confirmation and select your confirmation. Continue to payment, you may select either a Normal (typically 72 hour processing time) or Expedited (if you are within 7 days of departure). You may select a standard single-entry application for your tour, even if you are continuing to Tanzania/Zanzibar.
You will input your payment information. Visa & Mastercard are accepted.
Continue through payment and confirmation. You will receive confirmation of the application payment to your email.