THINGS TO KNOW REGARDING TRAVELING TO KENYA

As of November 2025, Kenya maintains a relatively open travel policy under its Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system, introduced in January 2024 as part of a broader “visa-free” initiative for most visitors. {NOTE: If you have or had an E-Visa before this new program, it is no longer valid and will not work as an entry into the country anymore.} This replaced traditional visas and allows stays up to 90 days for tourism or business without a physical visa stamp. However, the eTA is mandatory for pre-approval and functions like a digital visa. Rules are uniform for most nationalities (with exemptions for many African and select other countries), and there are no active COVID-19 entry restrictions. Health risks remain high, so vaccinations and precautions are essential.

Requirements can vary slightly by nationality, purpose of travel, and point of origin. Always verify with official sources like the Kenyan Directorate of Immigration (etakenya.go.ke) or your home country’s travel advisory before booking. Overstaying an eTA incurs fines (starting at ~USD 30/day) and may bar future entry.

Visa and Entry Requirements

Kenya’s policy emphasizes online pre-approval for security and efficiency. Here’s a breakdown:

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)– Mandatory for all non-exempt visitors.
– Apply online at etakenya.go.ke (or via services like iVisa for assistance).
– Processing: 3-7 business days (apply 2-4 weeks in advance).
– Types: Single-entry (90 days, ~USD 34) or multiple-entry (up to 5 years/90 days per visit, ~USD 51).
– Print the approval email; present it at immigration.
– Extensions: Possible in-person at Nairobi Immigration HQ for another 90 days (~USD 51), but easier to exit/reapply.

– East African Community (EAC) citizens (e.g., Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda): Up to 180 days.
– Most African nationals (except Libya and Somalia): Up to 90 days (expanded May 2025 for regional tourism).
– Select others (e.g., some Caribbean nations per July 2025 updates): Up to 90 days.EAC citizens; most Africans; limited others.

Passport- Valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival date.
– At least 2 blank pages.
– Carry a photocopy; lost/stolen passports lead to denial.All travelers.

Proof of Onward Travel– Return/onward ticket required at check-in/immigration.

Other- No HIV/AIDS restrictions.
– Minors: Birth certificate if traveling without both parents; notarized consent if one parent is absent.
– Customs: Declare valuables; bans on ivory, plastics, certain meds (e.g., non-compliant healthcare imports).

Health and Vaccination Requirements

Kenya has no COVID-19 mandates, but tropical diseases are prevalent. Consult a travel clinic 4-6 weeks before departure. Medical facilities are limited outside major cities (Nairobi, Mombasa); evac insurance is essential. The health and Vaccine requirements are HIGHLY important, especially if you are planning travel to other East African countries while here, and specifically the coasts, where there is a lot more exposure to mosquitoes and other infectious species.

Yellow Fever

if arriving from an endemic country (e.g., parts of South America, Africa, like Angola). Certificate for ages 1+; denied entry without it. (CDC/WHO Recommended) YES, for all travelers to high-risk areas (e.g., below 2,500m elevation, except Nairobi/Coast).Exempt: Infants <9 months. The vaccine is valid for life.

Routine Vaccines

Up-to-date on MMR, DTaP, polio, flu, varicella, pneumococcal, COVID-19. Global outbreaks (e.g., measles, polio) make these critical.

Travel-Specific

Hepatitis A/B, typhoid, rabies (if animal exposure risk, e.g., safaris), cholera (outbreaks in 2025), chikungunya/dengue (mosquito-borne). Malaria prophylaxis is required for most areas (no vaccine; use meds like atovaquone-proguanil). This is recommended, but has caused a lot of extreme side effects with guests. Please consult your Physician or infection specialist before starting treatment for exposure to Malaria.

Outbreaks (Nov 2025):

Ongoing chikungunya (Mombasa), mpox (clade I), cholera (236 cases since Oct). Mosquito repellent, long clothing, and DEET are essential. Drink bottled water; avoid street food. (THESE ARE EXPERT-recommended preventions. However, when traveling, if food is your thing, DEFINITELY eat the street foods, but as a foreigner, be aware of how the food is prepared and cleanliness. If it looks like something you wouldn’t try in your home country, maybe avoid it in another.

Safety and Other Travel Rules

• U.S. State Dept Advisory (Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution): Due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, health. Do not travel to border areas (e.g., Somalia frontier, Lamu north of Malindi). Reconsider Eastleigh/Kibera in Nairobi.
• Crime/Terrorism: High risk of mugging, carjacking, al-Shabaab attacks on tourist sites. Avoid crowds, after-dark travel; use registered taxis/Uber.
• Protests: Frequent; can turn violent—monitor local media.
• Roads/Transport: Poor conditions; avoid night drives, matatus (buses), boda bodas (motos). Drink-driving limit: 0.08% BAC.
• LGBTQ+ Travelers: Homosexuality legal but stigmatized; caution advised.
• Digital Nomads: New 1-2 year visa (Oct 2024) for remote workers (min income ~USD 24K/year proof required).
• Currency/Tech: Kenyan Shilling (KES); USD widely accepted. SIM cards at airport (~USD 3). Power: 240V, Type G plugs.