Kenya Tourist Visa
from India
Your complete guide to Kenya ETA — fees, requirements, processing time & expert assistance for a seamless online application.
Updated for 2026 Applications
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The Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a fully digital pre-arrival authorisation mandatory for all foreign visitors including Indian citizens. Since January 2024, Kenya has replaced the traditional eVisa and Visa on Arrival system with the ETA. No visa sticker is affixed to your passport — the authorisation is linked electronically to your passport number.
Indian citizens apply entirely online via the official portal at etakenya.go.ke. There is no in-person submission required — documents are uploaded digitally and the fee is paid by international card. The standard single-entry ETA allows a maximum stay of 90 days and is valid for 90 days from the date of approval.
The only official platform for Kenya ETA applications is etakenya.go.ke, operated by the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Services. All applications are lodged, processed, and decided online. Avoid third-party websites that claim to process Kenya visas — they charge unnecessary service fees and have no official standing.
Register at etakenya.go.ke with a valid email address. One account can cover multiple applicants in a family or group. Verify your email before proceeding.
Fill all sections — personal details, passport information, travel dates, accommodation, and purpose of visit. Upload a recent passport-size photograph. Save progress and return later if needed.
Upload all required documents as PDFs or JPEGs. Organise clearly — passport, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, bank statements, and cover letter. Maximum file size limits apply per document.
Pay USD 34.30 per applicant via international credit or debit card. A small card surcharge may apply. Payment is taken at lodgement — your application is officially submitted at this point.
For most Indian applicants, the entire application is completed online. There is no requirement to visit the Kenya High Commission in Delhi or any other Kenyan diplomatic mission.
Once approved, download your ETA approval letter from the portal. Carry a printed copy to present at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on arrival. No visa sticker is issued.
💡 Apply exclusively through etakenya.go.ke. Third-party websites charge extra service fees and have no official standing with the Kenya Immigration Services.
Go to etakenya.go.ke — the only official portal for Kenya ETA applications. Do not use third-party websites that charge extra service fees. Create your account with a valid email address and verify it before proceeding.
Complete all sections — personal details, passport information, travel dates, accommodation in Kenya, and purpose of visit. Upload a recent passport-size digital photograph. Double-check all entries as corrections after submission are difficult.
Upload scanned copies of your passport bio-page, return flight itinerary, hotel bookings or invitation letter, proof of funds (bank statements), and detailed travel itinerary. Include yellow fever certificate if applicable. A well-organised, complete document set is your best chance of quick approval.
Pay USD 34.30 per applicant via international credit or debit card. A small card surcharge may apply. The fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome. Your application is officially lodged at this point.
Log into your etakenya.go.ke account to check real-time status. Standard processing takes 3 working days. You will receive email notifications at key stages — application received, under review, and decision made.
Once approved, download your ETA approval letter from the portal. Verify all details — name, passport number, validity dates, and permitted stay duration. Carry a printed copy to present at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on arrival.
Present your printed ETA approval letter and passport at JKIA immigration. No visa sticker is affixed — your ETA is linked electronically to your passport number. Ensure you have your return flight ticket and accommodation details handy for immigration verification.
The Kenya ETA fee is payable in USD only via international credit or debit card through etakenya.go.ke. A small card surcharge (approximately 1–2%) may apply. All fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome. No children's discount — USD 34.30 applies to all applicants of all ages for the standard single-entry ETA.
| Service / Charge | Description | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple-Entry ETA | Multiple entries allowed during validity period | Higher fee [VERIFY] |
| East African Tourist Visa | Joint visa for Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda (90 days) | USD 100 |
| Travel Insurance | Recommended (USD 50,000+ cover) — not a legal requirement | ~₹1,500–3,000 |
| Yellow Fever Vaccination | At authorised vaccination centres — only if transit requires it | ~₹500–1,000 |
| Applicant Profile | Typical Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Application | 3 working days | Normal |
| Peak Season (Jul–Oct) | 5–7 working days | High Volume |
| First-Time Applicants | 3–5 working days | Standard Scrutiny |
| Repeat Travellers | 2–3 working days | Faster Turnaround |
| Incomplete Applications | 7+ working days | Delays Likely |
High application volumes during the Great Migration season and holiday periods. Processing stretches to 5–7 working days. Apply early with a complete, well-documented file to avoid being caught in the backlog.
Demand dips outside the safari peak season. Processing is faster — many complete applications receive decisions in 2–3 working days. The best window to apply if your travel dates are flexible. Repeat travellers often see near-instant processing.
The single biggest factor controlling your processing speed is the completeness and quality of your file at lodgement. Incomplete applications get parked while immigration writes to you for missing documents — extending processing by weeks. A well-prepared, complete application is your only legitimate fast-track.
Submit on a weekday morning IST — your application enters the Kenya immigration queue during Nairobi business hours (IST is 2.5 hours behind EAT), reducing effective wait time.
Do not submit incomplete applications — a parked file waiting for missing documents is counted in your processing time. Every day you take to respond adds to your total wait.
Total portal session time: Allow 60–90 minutes for first-time applicants to complete the form, upload all documents, and pay the fee. Do not attempt in one rushed sitting — the portal saves progress automatically.
Every Kenya ETA officer evaluates your application through one lens: "Is this person a genuine tourist who will leave Kenya before their ETA expires?" The assessment focuses on three questions: Why Kenya, why now? (purpose and itinerary) — Can you fund the trip? (financial proof) — and Why will you return to India? (employment ties, property, family dependents, ongoing commitments).
A strong application does not just prove you want to visit Kenya — it proves you have compelling reasons to return home. That is the mindset to keep while assembling every document in your file.
The Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has become the primary pathway for Indian travellers visiting Kenya for safari, beach holidays, and family visits since its introduction in January 2024. Replacing the traditional eVisa and Visa on Arrival system, the ETA is a fully digital pre-arrival authorisation applied for exclusively through the official portal at etakenya.go.ke.
Kenya's transition to the ETA system was designed to streamline border control, enhance security, and reduce wait times at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. For Indian travellers, this means you must obtain your authorisation before departure — arriving without an approved ETA will result in denial of boarding by your airline or refusal of entry at the Kenyan border. The good news is that the process is straightforward, entirely online, and typically decided within 3 working days.
Kenya immigration does not publish a fixed minimum bank balance requirement. However, a general benchmark is approximately USD 1,500–2,500 for a standard 7–10 day safari trip. More important than the raw balance is 3–6 months of consistent account history showing organic income. Sudden large deposits made just before applying raise red flags and often trigger additional scrutiny or refusal.
The yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if you are arriving from or have transited through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. This includes most sub-Saharan African countries and some South American nations. If your flight from India connects through Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, or similar countries, carry your yellow fever certificate to avoid being denied entry or vaccinated at the airport. If flying directly from India with no such transit, the certificate is generally not required.
The peak safari season (July to October) coincides with the Great Migration in the Masai Mara and sees the highest application volumes. During this period, processing can stretch to 5–7 working days. Apply at least 3–4 weeks before travel during peak season. The off-peak months (November to March, April to June) offer faster processing — often 2–3 working days — and lower safari lodge rates.
If you are travelling as part of a Destination To Plan group safari package, your ETA application is still submitted individually via etakenya.go.ke. Your cover letter should reference the group tour, include the tour operator's itinerary, and explain that accommodation and transport are pre-arranged as part of the package. Group travel is viewed positively by immigration as it reduces itinerary ambiguity.
Visa rules, fees, and processing timelines change frequently. All information on this page is provided for general guidance only and was last verified for 2026. Always confirm requirements directly with the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Services at etakenya.go.ke before applying. Destination To Plan is a tour operator — we do not provide visa services and cannot be held responsible for application outcomes.
Our assistance covers document review, checklist guidance, itinerary feedback, cover letter review, and appointment support. We do not submit applications on your behalf or guarantee processing times. All official fees are payable directly to the issuing authority.
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