Kenya is a popular destination for travellers with its extraordinary wildlife, national parks and heavenly beaches. If you wish to travel to this magnificent African country, you must first obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Let's take a look at the essential information concerning the length of stay possible with this authorisation and the conditions to be met.
What is an ETA authorisation?
The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is an electronic document allowing foreign travellers to enter Kenya without the need for a traditional visa. It is a simplified and dematerialised process that greatly facilitates formalities for entering the country.
To obtain an ETA authorisation, simply fill in an online form with the required information and pay the associated fees. Once the application has been validated, the authorisation is usually sent by e-mail within a few days.
How long can I stay in Kenya with an ETA permit?
The authorised length of stay in Kenya with an ETA varies according to the type of authorisation obtained and the purpose of the trip. In general, the maximum authorised duration is 90 days per visit. However, certain special conditions may apply. It is therefore vital to find out everything you can before planning your trip.
ETA for tourism
This is the most common category of authorisation for travellers wishing to discover the attractions of Kenya. Tourist ETAs generally allow a maximum stay of 90 days in Kenya.
ETA for business
This type of permit is intended for people making business trips to Kenya, such as business meetings, conferences or training courses. As with tourism, the authorised length of stay is generally a maximum of 90 days.
Total period of validity of the ETA authorisation
It is important to note that the maximum authorised duration of 90 days relates only to the duration of the stay on site. In reality, the ETA authorisation itself has an identical validity period of three months from the date of issue. This means that it is not only the number of days spent on Kenyan territory that must be taken into account, but also ensuring that the ETA authorisation is still valid when entering Kenya.
It is therefore essential to check the validity dates on the document and to travel to Kenya on time to avoid any problems at border controls.
Possible extension of your stay in Kenya
In certain situations, it may be possible to extend your stay in Kenya by holding an ETA permit. However, this is subject to a number of conditions and must be done before the initial period expires.
Conditions for requesting a stay extension
- have valid reasons for extending their stay in Kenya (e.g. professional project, job search, voluntary work)
- have behaved in accordance with Kenyan laws and regulations during the initial stay
- Have sufficient financial resources to cover the additional period
- Provide a copy of your return flight ticket or proof that a later departure will be organised.
Procedure for extending your stay
Travellers who meet the conditions mentioned above should go to the Kenyan Immigration Department to apply for an extension of stay. It is wise to do this early enough, but not too early either, so that the authorisation is still valid when the application is processed.
It should be noted that the outcome of this procedure is not guaranteed and that each application is dealt with individually. We therefore recommend that you do not make any firm commitments to extend your stay before receiving official confirmation of authorisation.
What should I do if I exceed the number of authorised days?
It is strongly inadvisable to overstay your ETA permit, as this can have serious consequences. In particular, it is possible to be fined, temporarily or permanently banned from travelling to Kenya or even deported.
To avoid unpleasant situations of this kind, it is essential to comply with the conditions laid down in the ETA authorisation and to take the necessary steps to extend the stay in good time if this proves necessary.
