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US passport · Kenya

Do US citizens need a visa for Kenya?

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 1 Nov 2026

In brief

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

Kenya eTA fee for US citizens: A standard single-entry eTA costs USD 30. Official fee. Source: Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Kenya), official eTA portal, checked .

Kenya eTA processing time for US citizens: Applications are usually processed within 3 business days (72 hours); an expedited option, processed immediately, costs USD 100 extra. Source: Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Kenya), official eTA portal, 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 US 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
StayNot stated by the official source
Validity and entriesUS citizens can instead get a five-year multiple-entry eTA, offered to American nationals, for USD 185.2
Official feeA standard single-entry eTA costs USD 30.2Applications are usually processed within 3 business days (72 hours); an expedited option, processed immediately, costs USD 100 extra.3
Official processingApplications are usually processed within 3 business days (72 hours); an expedited option, processed immediately, costs USD 100 extra.3
Where to applyApply only on etakenya.go.ke or the official Kenya Travel Authorisation app, with a separate application for each traveller.3Official site: etakenya.go.ke

Do US citizens need a visa for Kenya?

The US 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

Kenya visa types for US citizens

How to apply

  1. Apply only on etakenya.go.ke or the official Kenya Travel Authorisation app, with a separate application for each traveller.

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

  2. Kenya recommends applying at least 2 weeks before travel; an eTA does not guarantee entry, which is decided at the border.

    Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Kenya), official eTA portal · 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. Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.

FAQ

Is Kenya visa-free for US citizens now?

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

How much does a Kenya visa cost for US citizens?

A standard single-entry eTA costs USD 30. Applications are usually processed within 3 business days (72 hours); an expedited option, processed immediately, costs USD 100 extra.

Can I get a Kenya visa in 7 days?

Applications are usually processed within 3 business days (72 hours); an expedited option, processed immediately, costs USD 100 extra.

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), official eTA portal: fees and visa typesetakenya.go.ke · checked
  3. Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Kenya), official eTA portal: processing time and how to applyetakenya.go.ke · checked
  4. Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Kenya), official eTA portal: how to applyetakenya.go.ke · 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.