Travelling to Kenya is a unique, rich and particularly attractive experience for foreigners. Between its breathtaking natural landscapes, diverse wildlife and heavenly beaches, there are many reasons why tourists should visit this East African country. However, before embarking on such a wonderful trip, it is imperative to obtain the compulsory authorisation, known as the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), allowing foreign visitors to set foot on Kenyan soil.
What is Electronic Travel Authorisation?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation or ETA is an official document required for all foreigners wishing to enter Kenya for short periods, such as tourism, holidays or business. This online authorisation aims to secure the country's borders against the various potential threats posed by non-Kenyan nationals. It also facilitates customs clearance on arrival in Kenya, which has decided to abolish visas on 1 January 2024.
Who should apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation?
All foreign nationals wishing to stay temporarily in Kenya need to obtain an ETA. However, citizens of East African Community (EAC) member countries benefit from an exemption and will not need this authorisation to enter Kenya.
Steps to follow to obtain Electronic Travel Authorisation
To apply for an ETA for Kenya, the following steps must be followed:
- Fill in an online form You will need to fill in a questionnaire providing all the information required about the traveller, their passport, e-mail address and travel plans. Ideally, this should be done 3 days before the planned departure date.
- Make your payment online Following the previous step, payment must be made by international credit card to validate the request.
- Receive confirmation of authorisation by email : Once the application has been processed , it is forwarded to the competent authorities. After approval, the applicant will receive their granted ETA by email.
- Print out the authorisation and present it when entering Kenya : On arrival, it is essential to show the printed document to the immigration officers in order to pass through the checks quickly.
Time taken to obtain Electronic Travel Authorisation
The time taken to obtain electronic authorisation varies according to demand and the influx of travellers wishing to visit Kenya. However, it is strongly recommended to make this request at least 72 hours before the planned date of departure to guard against possible unforeseen circumstances such as delays in approval or resolution of technical problems.
Usual deadlines
In most cases, ETAs are issued the day after the online payment is made. However, some authorisations can take up to 7 working days to be approved by the Kenyan authorities. It is therefore essential to plan ahead to avoid any last-minute difficulties.
What happens if authorisation is refused?
The reasons for refusal of Electronic Travel Authorisation are many and varied. Most of the time, this is due to an error made when filling in the online form or to a technical problem. If you are refused, you can reapply, taking particular care to avoid making the same mistakes.
