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British passport · Kenya

Do British citizens need a visa for Kenya?

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 1 Nov 2026

In brief

No visa, but an online authorisation: British passport holders need an online travel authorisation before they travel to Kenya.

Kenya eTA fee for British citizens: A standard eTA, valid for one entry, costs USD 30; a one-year multiple-entry eTA costs USD 300 and a transit eTA USD 20. USD 30 ≈ GBP 22, USD 300 ≈ GBP 224, USD 20 ≈ GBP 15 at the ECB rate of . Official fee. Source: Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration, checked .

Kenya eTA processing time for British citizens: Applications are usually processed within 3 working days (72 hours); the expedited option is processed immediately and costs USD 100 more. Source: Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration, checked .

All visitors including infants and children who intend to travel to the Republic of Kenya must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before the start of their journey.Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Kenya)

Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Kenya)Apply only at etakenya.go.keReport a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. At a glance
  3. Do British citizens need a visa?
  4. Visa types
  5. How to apply
  6. Fee
  7. Processing time
  8. Documents
  9. What changed
  10. FAQ
  11. Sources

At a glance

AccessETA
StayYour visitor's pass is issued at the port of entry and can be extended up to a maximum of 6 months by applying online on fns.immigration.go.ke.6
Validity and entriesNot stated by the official source
Official feeA standard eTA, valid for one entry, costs USD 30; a one-year multiple-entry eTA costs USD 300 and a transit eTA USD 20.2Applications are usually processed within 3 working days (72 hours); the expedited option is processed immediately and costs USD 100 more.3
Official processingApplications are usually processed within 3 working days (72 hours); the expedited option is processed immediately and costs USD 100 more.3
Where to applyApply only on etakenya.go.ke or the official Kenya Travel Authorisation app, one application per traveller, and show the approved eTA (printed or on your phone) at departure and on arrival.3Official site: etakenya.go.ke

Do British citizens need a visa for Kenya?

The UK is not on the exemption lists, and the Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Kenya) says that all other nationals need an online travel authorisation before they travel.

“All visitors including infants and children who intend to travel to the Republic of Kenya must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before the start of their journey.”

Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Kenya) · checked

Conditions and exceptions

  • No eTA is issued on arrival: travellers, children included, must get it before travelling, at least 72 hours ahead.

    travelers including children (below 18 years) other than those exempted from ETA requirements, must apply and obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), at least, 72 hours prior to their travel. ... Please note that there are no eTAs issued on arrival.High Commission of the Republic of Kenya in London · checked

  • Serving members of the British military are exempt from the eTA under Kenya's 2025 exemption rules.

    Persons who are exempt from obtaining the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) as per the KENYA CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION(AMMENDEMENT) RULES, 2025 ... Serving Members of the British Military.Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration · checked

  • If you only change planes in Kenya and stay in the airport, you need no eTA.

    If I am on transit in Kenya and don't leave the airport would I require a transit ETA? NO:On arrival, proceed to the transit lounge and wait for your connecting flight.High Commission of the Republic of Kenya in London · checked

  • If you visit Tanzania or Uganda and come back to Kenya while your visitor's pass is still valid, you do not need another eTA.

    If a visitor has a valid visitor's pass and visits Tanzania or Uganda, then returns to Kenya within the validity, would they need another ETA? NoHigh Commission of the Republic of Kenya in London · checked

  • British citizens living in the UK or Europe do not need a yellow fever vaccination to travel to Kenya.

    Do British citizens require yellow fever vaccinations before travelling to Kenya? NO: if residents of United Kingdom and/or EuropeHigh Commission of the Republic of Kenya in London · checked

Kenya visa types for British citizens

How to apply

  1. Apply only on etakenya.go.ke or the official Kenya Travel Authorisation app, one application per traveller, and show the approved eTA (printed or on your phone) at departure and on arrival.

    Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration · checked

Fee

These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.

Processing time

Documents and entry checks

What changed

  1. Since 5 October 2026 every visitor staying less than 12 months, children included, must hold Kenyan government travel health insurance, bought on etakenya.go.ke as part of the eTA application (Legal Notice No. 11492 of 29 July 2026). High Commission of the Republic of Kenya in London · checked
  2. Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.

FAQ

Is Kenya visa-free for British citizens now?

There is no visa, but British citizens need an online travel authorisation before they travel.

How much does a Kenya visa cost for British citizens?

A standard eTA, valid for one entry, costs USD 30; a one-year multiple-entry eTA costs USD 300 and a transit eTA USD 20. Applications are usually processed within 3 working days (72 hours); the expedited option is processed immediately and costs USD 100 more.

Can I get a Kenya visa in 7 days?

Applications are usually processed within 3 working days (72 hours); the expedited option is processed immediately and costs USD 100 more.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Kenya): entry rule, documents and entry conditionsetakenya.go.ke · checked
  2. Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Kenya eTA official portal): feesetakenya.go.ke · checked
  3. Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Kenya eTA official portal): processing time and how to applyetakenya.go.ke · checked
  4. High Commission of the Republic of Kenya in London: entry conditionskenyahighcom.org.uk · checked
  5. High Commission of the Republic of Kenya in London: changeskenyahighcom.org.uk · checked
  6. Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Kenya): visa typesimmigration.go.ke · checked
  7. High Commission of the Republic of Kenya in London: entry conditionskenyahighcom.org.uk · checked
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Visa Almanac is an independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.