Indian citizens need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to visit Kenya. There is no visa on arrival option. The eTA costs $30 for standard processing (up to 72 hours) and is applied for entirely online at etakenya.go.ke. Indian passport holders must apply at least 3 days before their travel date and can submit applications up to 90 days in advance.
India is one of Kenya’s top source markets for tourism and business travel. Every year, tens of thousands of Indian travelers visit Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kenya’s world-famous safari parks. Since January 1, 2024, when Kenya replaced its traditional visa system with the eTA, Indian citizens have had a simpler, fully digital application process. This guide explains everything Indian passport holders need to know: required documents, fees, step-by-step application instructions, processing times, and answers to common questions.
Do Indian Citizens Need a Visa for Kenya?
Yes, Indian citizens need authorization to enter Kenya. Since January 1, 2024, Kenya abolished traditional visas for all nationalities and replaced them with the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Indian passport holders are not exempt from this requirement.
The eTA is mandatory regardless of the purpose of your visit – tourism, business, family visit, medical travel, or transit. There is no visa-on-arrival option at Kenyan airports or border crossings. You must obtain approval before boarding your flight.
India is not part of the East African Community (EAC), and no special bilateral visa exemption exists between India and Kenya. Therefore, every Indian citizen, including children and infants, must apply for their own individual eTA.
For a full overview of how the eTA system works, see our complete Kenya eTA guide.
Kenya eTA Requirements for Indian Citizens
Indian passport holders must have the following documents ready before starting their eTA application:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid Indian passport | Minimum 6 months validity from date of arrival in Kenya, with at least 1 blank page |
| Passport-size photograph | Recent color photo, white background, JPEG or PNG format |
| Return or onward flight ticket | Proof that you intend to leave Kenya before your eTA expires |
| Hotel reservation or accommodation proof | Booking confirmation for your stay in Kenya, or an invitation letter if staying with friends or family |
| Yellow fever vaccination certificate | Required if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic country (India is not endemic, but required if transiting through endemic zones) |
| Sufficient funds proof | Bank statement or credit card showing ability to cover expenses during your stay |
| Email address | Active email to receive your eTA approval confirmation |
| Digital payment method | Credit card or debit card to pay the $30 processing fee |
Passport Validity Rules
Your Indian passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned arrival date in Kenya. For example, if you plan to arrive in Nairobi on March 1, 2027, your passport must not expire before September 1, 2027. Indian passports with less than six months of remaining validity will result in an automatic eTA rejection.
If your passport is damaged, has torn pages, or has been reported lost and later found, apply for a fresh passport before starting your Kenya eTA application. Kenyan immigration authorities are strict about passport condition.
For a full list of required documents by nationality, visit our Kenya visa requirements page.
How to Apply for Kenya eTA from India (Step by Step)
The Kenya eTA application is entirely online. Indian citizens do not need to visit an embassy, consulate, or visa application center. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Go to etakenya.go.ke and create an account using your email address. If you already have an eCitizen account, you can log in with those credentials.
Step 2: Select Your eTA Type
Choose the appropriate eTA category:
| eTA Type | Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | $30 | Tourism, short business trips, family visits (single entry, valid 90 days) |
| Transit eTA | $20 | Connecting flights requiring exit from international transit area (single entry, valid 72 hours) |
| 1-Year Multi-Entry | ~$100 | Frequent visitors, regular business travel to Kenya |
| East Africa Tourist Visa | ~$100 | Visiting Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda on a single visa |
Most Indian tourists will need the Standard eTA ($30). If you are transiting through Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and need to change terminals or exit the transit area, you need the Transit eTA ($20).
For details on all available eTA types, see our Kenya visa types guide.
Step 3: Fill in the Application Form
Complete the online form with your personal details, passport information, travel dates, and accommodation details in Kenya. Double-check every field – spelling errors or mismatched passport numbers are the most common reasons for delays.
Step 4: Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies or clear photos of your passport bio page and passport-size photograph. The photo must be recent and taken against a white background.
Step 5: Pay the Fee
Pay the eTA fee using a credit card, debit card, or mobile money. The fee for Indian citizens applying for a Standard eTA is $30 USD (approximately INR 2,500). Payment is processed immediately.
Step 6: Wait for Processing
Standard processing takes 24 to 72 hours. Some applications are approved within minutes, while others may take up to 3 business days. Apply at least one week before your travel date to allow for any unexpected delays.
Step 7: Receive Your eTA
Once approved, you will receive your eTA as a PDF attachment via email. Print this document or save it on your phone. Present it at the airline check-in counter and at Kenyan immigration on arrival.
Kenya eTA Fees for Indian Citizens in 2026
| Fee Component | Cost (USD) | Cost (INR approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA application fee | $30 | INR 2,500 |
| Transit eTA application fee | $20 | INR 1,670 |
| 1-Year Multi-Entry eTA | ~$100 | INR 8,350 |
| 5-Year Multi-Entry eTA | ~$160 | INR 13,360 |
| East Africa Tourist Visa | ~$100 | INR 8,350 |
All fees are payable in USD. Indian credit and debit cards with international transaction capability are accepted. Some banks may levy a small foreign currency conversion fee (typically 1-3%). For a complete breakdown of all eTA fees and additional costs, see our Kenya eTA fee guide.
Note: There is no separate “service charge” or “agent fee” when applying directly through etakenya.go.ke. If you use a third-party visa agency, they will charge additional service fees on top of the official eTA fee.
How Long Does the Kenya eTA Take for Indian Citizens?
Most Indian citizens receive their Kenya eTA within 24 to 72 hours. In practice, many approvals come through within a few hours of submission. However, Kenya’s Department of Immigration Services recommends applying at least 3 business days before your travel date.
The processing time depends on several factors:
- Accuracy of application: Incomplete or incorrect information triggers manual review, which can add 1-2 extra days.
- Peak travel seasons: During major holidays (Christmas, Easter, Indian festival periods), processing volumes increase and delays are more common.
- Weekend submissions: Applications submitted on Friday evening or over the weekend may not be processed until Monday.
For Indian travelers who need faster processing, expedited options may be available for an additional fee. Some third-party services offer 24-hour priority processing, though the official portal’s standard processing is usually sufficient if you apply one week early.
If your eTA has not been approved within 72 hours, check your spam or junk email folder first. If you still cannot find it, log back into your etakenya.go.ke account to check the application status. You can also contact the Kenya Department of Immigration Services for assistance.
For detailed timelines and tips, see our Kenya eTA processing time guide.
Kenya eTA Process for Indian Families Traveling with Children
Every Indian child traveling to Kenya needs their own individual eTA, including infants and newborns. There is no child exemption. Each child must have their own valid Indian passport to apply for an eTA.
Parents or legal guardians can submit eTA applications on behalf of their children using the same etakenya.go.ke portal. The process is identical to an adult application – you need the child’s passport details, a passport photo, and proof of accommodation.
Children traveling with one parent may need a notarized consent letter from the other parent, particularly if the child has a different surname from the traveling parent. While this is not always enforced at Kenyan immigration, carrying the letter avoids potential delays.
Transit eTA When Flying from India to Nairobi
Many Indian travelers transit through Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) on their way to other destinations within Africa. Whether you need a transit eTA depends on your itinerary:
- Staying in the international transit area: If your connecting flight departs from the same terminal and you do not pass through immigration, you do not need an eTA.
- Exiting the international transit area: If you need to collect and re-check baggage, change terminals, or leave the airport, you need a Transit eTA ($20, valid for 72 hours).
- Multi-day layover in Nairobi: If you plan to leave the airport and spend one or two nights in Nairobi, you need a Standard eTA ($30). The Transit eTA only allows transit, not tourism.
Common airlines flying from India to Kenya via Nairobi include Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and IndiGo with codeshare connections. Indian citizens flying from Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore can find direct and one-stop flights to Nairobi.
Yellow Fever Certificate Requirements for Indian Travelers
India is not classified as a yellow fever endemic country. However, Indian travelers who are transiting through or have recently visited a yellow fever endemic country (such as certain countries in Africa or South America) must carry a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.
If your travel itinerary includes a layover in a yellow fever risk country – for example, a stopover in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) or Lagos (Nigeria) – you may be required to present a yellow fever certificate upon arrival in Kenya. To avoid any issues, check your specific route and consult the latest Kenyan immigration guidelines before traveling.
Indian citizens traveling directly from India to Kenya (e.g., a non-stop Mumbai-Nairobi flight) generally do not need a yellow fever certificate. However, vaccination is always recommended as a health precaution.
Common Reasons for Kenya eTA Rejection for Indian Applicants
Understanding the common pitfalls that lead to eTA rejection can save Indian travelers time and money. Here are the most frequent issues:
- Passport validity less than 6 months: This is the number one reason for rejection. Check your passport expiry date before applying.
- Poor quality document scans: Blurry passport scans or photos with glare lead to rejections. Upload clear, well-lit images.
- Incorrect passport number: A single digit error in your passport number will cause the application to fail. Double-check the number on your passport bio page.
- Incomplete travel itinerary: Missing return flight details or accommodation proof leads to delays or rejection.
- Name mismatch: Ensure your name on the eTA application matches your passport exactly, including middle names and surname order.
- Previous visa overstays: If you have overstayed a visa in Kenya or any other country in the past, your eTA may be denied.
If your eTA is rejected, you can reapply with corrected information. There is no waiting period, but you will need to pay the fee again. Rejections due to name mismatches or passport validity issues require resolving the underlying document problem before reapplying.
What Happens at the Airport When Flying from India?
When departing from India for Kenya, the airline check-in counter will verify that you have a valid eTA before allowing you to board. Carry a printed copy of your eTA approval PDF and have the digital version on your phone as a backup.
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Indian travelers proceed through immigration. Present your passport and printed eTA to the immigration officer. They will scan your passport and verify your eTA status electronically. The process is usually quick – 5 to 15 minutes for most travelers.
At immigration, you may be asked to show:
- Your return or onward flight ticket
- Hotel reservation or host invitation letter
- Proof of sufficient funds for your stay
After clearing immigration, collect your luggage and proceed through customs. Kenya uses a red/green channel system. Declare items if required or proceed through the green channel if you have nothing to declare.
FAQs About Kenya eTA for Indian Citizens
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Kenya in 2026?
No, Indian citizens no longer need a traditional visa for Kenya. Since January 1, 2024, Kenya replaced all visas with the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Indian passport holders must apply for a Kenya eTA online at etakenya.go.ke before traveling. The eTA costs $30 for standard processing.
How much does the Kenya eTA cost for Indian citizens?
The Standard Kenya eTA costs $30 USD (approximately INR 2,500) for Indian citizens. The Transit eTA costs $20 USD. Multi-entry options are available at around $100 USD for a 1-year validity and $160 USD for a 5-year validity. All fees are payable by international credit or debit card through the official portal.
How long does it take to get a Kenya eTA from India?
Most Indian applicants receive their Kenya eTA within 24 to 72 hours. Kenya’s immigration service advises applying at least 3 business days before travel. Many approvals are issued within a few hours. During peak travel seasons, processing may take longer, so applying one week in advance is recommended.
Can Indian citizens get a visa on arrival in Kenya?
No. Kenya abolished visas on arrival for all nationalities on January 1, 2024. The only way for Indian citizens to get authorization to enter Kenya is by applying for an eTA online before departure. Airlines will not allow Indian travelers to board without an approved eTA.
What documents do Indian citizens need for a Kenya eTA?
Indian citizens need a valid passport (minimum 6 months validity), a recent passport-size photo, return or onward flight ticket, hotel booking confirmation or invitation letter, proof of sufficient funds, and a valid email address. A yellow fever certificate is required if transiting through an endemic country.
Do Indian children need their own Kenya eTA?
Yes. Every Indian traveler, including infants and children of any age, must have their own individual eTA. Each child must also have their own valid Indian passport. Parents can submit applications on behalf of their children through the same online portal.
Can I work in Kenya with a Standard eTA?
The Standard eTA allows short-term business meetings and conferences but does not authorize employment in Kenya. If you are an Indian citizen planning to work in Kenya, you need a separate work permit issued by the Kenyan Department of Immigration Services. Consult Kenya’s immigration portal for work permit details.
What if my Kenya eTA is rejected?
If your eTA is rejected, you can reapply immediately with corrected information. There is no waiting period, but you must pay the $30 fee again. Common rejection reasons include passport validity less than 6 months, incorrect passport numbers, and name mismatches. Resolve the underlying issue before reapplying.
