Kenya eTA for Children & Infants: How to Apply

Kenya eTA for Children & Infants: How to Apply (2026)

Every child, including newborns and infants, needs their own Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Kenya. Since January 1, 2024, Kenya requires individual eTAs for all travelers regardless of age. Parents or guardians submit applications on behalf of minors through the same portal at etakenya.go.ke. The fee for a child eTA is the same $30 USD as for adults.

Do Children Need an eTA for Kenya?

Yes. Since Kenya abolished traditional visas on January 1, 2024, and introduced the eTA system, every traveler must have their own authorization – regardless of age. This includes:

• Infants and newborns
• Toddlers and young children
• Teenagers under 18
• Children included on a parent’s passport

Even if your child is listed on your passport, they still need a separate eTA. Kenya’s entry system tracks each traveler individually. Without their own eTA, a child will be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at Kenyan immigration.

The only exception applies to citizens of eTA-exempt countries (mostly African nations and select Caribbean countries). If your nationality is exempt, your child is also exempt.

Child eTA vs Adult eTA: What’s Different?

The application process for children is almost identical to adults. Here is a side-by-side comparison:

The fee, processing time, and validity period are identical for children and adults. The key difference is that a parent or guardian must complete the application on behalf of the child.

Requirements for Kenya eTA for Children

Prepare the following documents before starting your child’s eTA application:

• Child’s valid passport – Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Kenya. The child must have their own passport, even infants.
• Digital passport photo of the child – Recent photo with a white background in JPEG format. For infants, the photo can be taken while the baby lies on a white sheet.
• Parent or guardian’s passport – You will need the parent’s passport details during the application.
• Child’s birth certificate – Recommended but not always required. Useful if the child’s surname differs from the parent’s.
• Proof of accommodation – Hotel booking or host’s invitation letter covering the child’s stay.
• Return or onward ticket – For the child or the family’s combined itinerary.
• Yellow fever certificate – Only required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country.
• Email address – The approved eTA will be sent to this email.
• Credit or debit card – To pay the $30 USD application fee.

For full document specifications, see our Kenya eTA requirements guide and photo requirements.

How to Apply for Kenya eTA for a Child: Step-by-Step

Follow these steps to submit a child’s eTA application:

Step 1: Go to the official portal. Visit etakenya.go.ke and click “Apply Now.” Use the same portal you would use for an adult application.

Step 2: Create or log into an account. The parent or guardian registers with their email address. You can use the same account to submit multiple applications (one for each family member).

Step 3: Select the traveler type. When filling in personal details, enter the child’s information – not the parent’s. Fill in the child’s full name, date of birth, nationality, and passport number exactly as they appear on the child’s passport.

Step 4: Enter parent or guardian details. The form will ask for the accompanying adult’s information. Provide the parent’s full name, passport number, and relationship to the child.

Step 5: Upload documents. Upload a scanned copy of the child’s passport bio page and a digital passport photo. Make sure the photo meets Kenya’s specifications – white background, clear face, JPEG format.

Step 6: Provide travel details. Enter the intended arrival date, port of entry, and accommodation details. These can match the parent’s application if traveling together.

Step 7: Pay the fee. Pay $30 USD for a standard single-entry eTA using a credit or debit card. Each child application requires its own payment.

Step 8: Wait for approval. Standard processing takes up to 72 hours. Check the status by logging into your etakenya.go.ke account. The approved eTA arrives by email as a PDF.

Step 9: Print or save the eTA. Print the child’s eTA or save it on your phone. Present it along with the child’s passport at check-in and immigration.

For a detailed walkthrough of the general application process, see our step-by-step Kenya eTA application guide.

Tips for Infant and Baby eTA Photos

Getting a passport photo for a baby or infant can be challenging. Here are practical tips:

• White background is essential. Lay the baby on a white sheet or blanket and photograph from above.
• Eyes do not need to be open. For newborns and very young infants, closed eyes are acceptable.
• No other people in the frame. Make sure no hands, arms, or other faces appear in the photo.
• Face must be visible. The baby’s full face should be clearly visible, facing the camera.
• JPEG format. Save or convert the image to JPEG before uploading.
• Avoid shadows. Use even lighting to prevent shadows on the baby’s face or background.

Many parents find it easiest to take the photo while the baby is sleeping on a white surface. The key requirement is a clear, unobstructed view of the child’s face against a white background.

eTA Fees for Children

Kenya eTA fees are the same for children and adults. There is no reduced rate for minors.

For a family of four (two adults, two children), the total eTA cost is $120 USD for standard single-entry authorizations. Budget for this per-person fee when planning your Kenya trip. See our complete Kenya eTA fee breakdown for all pricing details.

Traveling to Kenya as a Single Parent with a Child

Kenya does not require a specific parental consent letter for children traveling with one parent, but airlines and immigration officers may ask for documentation. To avoid delays, carry:

• The child’s birth certificate (showing the parent’s name)
• A signed consent letter from the non-traveling parent (if applicable)
• A court order granting sole custody (if applicable)
• Death certificate of the other parent (if applicable)

These documents are not always checked, but having them available prevents potential problems at check-in or immigration. Requirements can vary by airline and country of departure.

Unaccompanied Minors Traveling to Kenya

If a child under 18 is traveling to Kenya without a parent or legal guardian, additional documentation is typically required:

• A notarized consent letter from both parents or legal guardians
• Contact details of the person meeting the child in Kenya
• Copies of both parents’ passports or IDs
• The child’s birth certificate

Airlines have their own policies for unaccompanied minors, including age limits and supervision requirements during the flight. Contact your airline in advance to arrange unaccompanied minor service if needed.

The eTA application for an unaccompanied minor still follows the same process – a parent or guardian submits the application online through etakenya.go.ke.

Common Mistakes When Applying for a Child’s eTA

Avoid these frequent errors that delay or reject child eTA applications:

• Using the parent’s passport details for the child – Each application must use the child’s own passport information. Even if the child is listed on the parent’s passport, they need their own eTA tied to their individual record.
• Not having a separate passport for the child – Kenya requires each traveler to have their own passport. Children included on a parent’s passport may still need their own passport for the eTA system. Check with your country’s passport authority.
• Poor quality infant photos – Blurry, dark, or cropped photos are rejected. Follow the white background guidelines above.
• Applying too late – Standard processing takes up to 72 hours. Apply at least one week before travel for the whole family, not just the adults.
• Forgetting the child’s eTA entirely – The most common mistake is assuming children can enter on a parent’s authorization. Every traveler, including newborns, needs their own eTA.
• Using the wrong passport number – Double-check that you entered the child’s passport number, not a sibling’s or parent’s.

Processing Time for Child eTA Applications

Child eTA applications follow the same processing timeline as adult applications:

• Standard processing: Up to 72 hours
• Expedited processing: Faster turnaround for an additional fee (when available)

Apply for all family members at the same time to ensure everyone receives approval before departure. During peak travel seasons like December holidays and July-August, allow extra time. Check application status by logging into your etakenya.go.ke account.

For current processing time details, see our Kenya eTA processing time guide.

Kenya eTA Application Status for Children

After submitting a child’s eTA application, you can track its status through the etakenya.go.ke portal:

1. Log into the account used to submit the application
2. Navigate to “My Applications” or “Check Status”
3. Find the child’s application in the list
4. Check the current status: Pending, Approved, or Rejected

If approved, download and print the eTA PDF. If rejected, review the rejection reason, correct the issue, and resubmit. Common rejection reasons include incorrect passport information, poor photo quality, or missing details. The fee is non-refundable on rejection, so verify all information before submitting.

See our Kenya eTA status check guide for detailed instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions