Kenya Documents & Entry Requirements Checklist

This is a hard requirement enforced at check-in and on arrival. Airlines will deny boarding if your passport does not meet the 6-month rule. The 2 blank pages are needed for entry and exit stamps.

The eTA replaced traditional visas in January 2024. Cost: USD 30 (non-refundable). Processing time: up to 3 business days (72 hours). Apply at least 1 week before travel to allow for delays. Valid for 90 days from issue, allowing a stay of up to 90 days. All travelers including infants need an approved eTA. Official website: https://www.etakenya.go.ke

Immigration officers at JKIA and Moi International Airport will scan or check your eTA. Have the approval email or PDF accessible even without internet — screenshot it or print it.

Immigration may ask for proof that you plan to leave Kenya within the 90-day eTA period. A return flight booking or onward travel itinerary satisfies this requirement.

Immigration officers may ask where you are staying. A printed or digital hotel confirmation is sufficient. If staying with friends or family, carry a letter of invitation with their address and phone number.

Not required for the eTA application itself, but useful if you need to register for M-Pesa at a Safaricom shop, apply for any local permits, or deal with an emergency passport replacement.

EAC nationals enter with just a valid passport or national ID card. No eTA or fee required.

These countries were visa-exempt before the eTA system and remain exempt. Check the full list at etakenya.go.ke for your nationality.

Expanded in May 2025 to include most African countries for up to 60 days without an eTA. Nationals of Libya and Somalia are excluded from this exemption.

There are no exceptions — even infants and children from non-exempt countries need their own approved eTA.

Endemic countries requiring this certificate include: Angola, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya's neighbors Uganda and Tanzania, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, and approximately 40 others. NOT required if flying direct from the US, UK, Canada, EU, Asia, or Middle East. The vaccine must be given at least 10 days before arrival. The certificate is valid for life (WHO ruling since July 2016). Children under 9 months are exempt.

Kenya removed all COVID-19 entry requirements in 2023. No vaccination proof, no PCR test, no antigen test, and no health declaration form related to COVID-19 is needed as of March 2026.

Not a border requirement but critical for your health. Kenya is a high-risk malaria zone — the coast, lake regions, and safari parks are all endemic areas. Nairobi itself is low-risk due to altitude (1,600m). Common prophylaxis options: Malarone (atovaquone-proguanil), Doxycycline, or Mefloquine. Start medication before departure per your doctor's instructions.

None of these are legally required for entry, but travel clinics strongly recommend them. Rabies vaccination is particularly advisable if you plan to visit wildlife conservancies or rural areas where post-exposure treatment may be hours away.

Kenya customs may inspect medications. Having prescriptions in their original pharmacy packaging with your name on the label avoids complications. Bring enough for your entire trip plus a few extra days in case of travel delays.

Cards work at hotels, supermarkets (Carrefour, Naivas), upmarket restaurants, and ATMs. Amex and Discover have very limited acceptance in Kenya. Tell your bank you are traveling to avoid fraud blocks on your card.

Bring clean, undamaged notes printed after 2006 — older or damaged bills may be rejected by forex bureaus. Exchange a small amount at JKIA on arrival, then use city forex bureaus on Biashara Street (Nairobi) for better rates (3-5% difference).

Foreign passports require processing at an official Safaricom shop — not an agent kiosk — under Kenya's KYC (Know Your Customer) rules. Registration is free and takes about 15 minutes. The name on your SIM must match your passport exactly. The JKIA arrival hall has a Safaricom stand. M-Pesa is essential for daily payments across Kenya.

If your phone is lost or stolen, you will need your PIN and the Safaricom helpline (100) to lock your M-Pesa wallet and prevent unauthorized transactions.

Immigration officers rarely ask for this, but it is technically within their authority. Having a recent bank statement accessible on your phone provides peace of mind.

If your passport is lost or stolen, a digital copy speeds up the replacement process at your embassy. Store copies in email, cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud), and on your phone.

Airport WiFi at JKIA can be unreliable. Having the eTA saved offline on your phone and backed up in the cloud ensures you can show it regardless of connectivity.

In an emergency, you need your policy number and the insurer's emergency contact immediately accessible — not buried in email.

Police may ask for ID at roadblocks. A photocopy is accepted for routine checks. Carry the original only when you need it for airport check-in, hotel registration, or official business.

Most major countries have embassies or high commissions in Nairobi. In an emergency — lost passport, arrest, serious illness — your embassy is your first call.

Useful while waiting for your local SIM to activate, in areas with poor coverage (rural safari areas), and as a backup if your data runs out.

The immigration queue at JKIA can take 30-60 minutes during peak arrivals. Having your documents ready speeds up your processing.

This is a paper form declaring items you are bringing into Kenya. Declare any items exceeding the duty-free allowance: 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine, 200 cigarettes, and goods valued up to USD 500. Undeclared items above these limits may be confiscated or taxed.

Gifts and personal electronics (laptop, camera, phone) for your own use are generally not counted toward the USD 500 limit, but professional filming equipment may require a permit.

Kenya's immigration system captures biometric data (fingerprints and a photograph) from all arriving foreign nationals. This is a standard quick process.

Drones require a Remote Pilot License and operational authorization from the KCAA before import. Unauthorized drones may be confiscated at customs. National parks and game reserves also prohibit drone use.

Since October 2025, Kenya Wildlife Service parks operate a cashless system. All entry fees must be paid in advance through the KWSPay portal on eCitizen. Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, or M-Pesa. No cash or card payments are accepted at park gates. Non-resident adult fees: USD 50-80+ per day depending on the park.

KWS uses a four-tier pricing system: East African Citizens, Kenya Residents, African Citizens (non-EAC), and Non-Residents. You need your passport to prove which category you fall into. East African citizens pay KES rates; non-residents pay USD rates.

The digital receipt includes a QR code that rangers scan. Have it accessible offline in case of poor connectivity at remote park gates.

Most private conservancy fees are bundled into lodge rates. Confirm with your lodge or tour operator whether conservancy fees, game drives, and walking safaris are included or charged separately.

If traveling with a tour operator, they typically handle all KWS payments. Carry your tour confirmation document showing the operator's name and permit details in case of questions at the gate.

Your home license is the primary driving credential. It must be valid (not expired) and in English or accompanied by a certified translation.

The IDP is required under Kenya's Traffic Act for foreign drivers. Cost: USD 15-20 from your home country's automobile association (AAA in the US, AA in the UK, CAA in Canada). Valid for 1 year. While English-language licenses are often accepted in practice, an IDP prevents problems at police roadblocks and rental company desks. Apply before you leave home — IDPs cannot be obtained in Kenya.

Rental desks photocopy your passport for their records. Some operators also require a deposit (KES 30,000-195,000 depending on vehicle type) held on a credit card.

Most reputable rental companies require a Visa or Mastercard credit card for the damage excess deposit. Debit cards may not be accepted. The hold amount depends on the vehicle: economy cars KES 30,000-65,000, SUVs KES 65,000-100,000, Land Cruisers KES 100,000-195,000.

Kenyan police at roadblocks check vehicle documents. Reputable operators include third-party liability insurance (legally mandatory) and CDW in base rates. Verify these documents are in the car before driving off the lot.

Speed cameras are active on Thika Superhighway, Mombasa Road, and the Southern Bypass since late 2024. Fines are sent via SMS and posted to your NTSA TIMS account. Some rental operators have night-driving clauses (no driving 6 PM - 6:30 AM) that void insurance coverage.

Airlines and airport security require original photo ID for boarding. Kenyan nationals can use a national ID card, but foreign visitors must use their passport. A photocopy is not accepted.

An email confirmation, SMS from the airline, or digital boarding pass on your phone is accepted. For small bush airstrips (Masai Mara, Samburu, Lamu), airlines like Safarilink and AirKenya email boarding passes — have them ready on your phone.

Small aircraft to safari destinations (Safarilink, AirKenya) enforce strict 15 kg limits with 5 kg cabin allowance. Bags must be soft-sided to fit in the cargo hold. Leave excess luggage at your Nairobi hotel. Larger airlines (Kenya Airways, Jambojet) on the Nairobi-Mombasa route allow 20-23 kg in any bag type.

Dive operators in Diani and Watamu will check your certification level before allowing you to join dives. If you are not certified, most operators offer PADI Open Water courses (3-4 days, from USD 350-450).

If your last dive was more than 6-12 months ago, operators may require a refresher dive (typically USD 50-80) before joining open-water dives.

Healthy divers under 45 generally do not need a medical certificate, but operators may ask you to sign a medical questionnaire. If you answer yes to any conditions (asthma, heart conditions, epilepsy), a doctor's clearance letter is required.

The nearest hyperbaric chamber is in Mombasa. Dive insurance from Divers Alert Network (DAN) costs approximately USD 40-75/year and covers emergency evacuation and recompression treatment.