Kenya Transit eTA: Airside Layover vs Leaving the Airport
Short answer: Kenya lists an eTA exemption for passengers in transit who arrive and leave on the same aircraft, or transfer to another aircraft, and who do not leave the precincts of airports in Kenya. The same lists cover staying on board the same ship. If you will leave those precincts or enter Kenya, you need an approved eTA before the journey starts (including infants and children), unless another published exemption applies. Start Kenya eTA help when you will enter. Stand: 19 August 2026.
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Do you need a Kenya eTA in transit?
| Your connection | What the exemption lists say |
|---|---|
| Same flight out, or a transfer to another aircraft, and you stay inside airport precincts | Exempt from eTA |
| You leave airport precincts or otherwise enter Kenya | You need an approved eTA before the journey, unless another listed exemption applies |
| Same ship, you do not leave the ship | Exempt |
Visitor fees, timing, and who needs an eTA when you are not in this exemption: Kenya eTA for US travelers.
Staying inside airport precincts
Kenya Embassy Washington D.C. and the government’s eTA general-information page (Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules, 2025) both list this exemption:
All passengers in transit through Kenya arriving and leaving by the same aircraft or transferring to another aircraft and who do not leave the precincts of Airports in Kenya.
So a change of planes can still be exempt — if you remain inside those precincts. The published lists do not spell out which doors, terminals, or bag-claim areas count as leaving. If your airline or airport cannot confirm an airside connection, plan on an eTA.
If you leave the precincts
The default visitor rule still stands: all visitors, including infants and children, who intend to travel to Kenya must have an approved eTA before the start of the journey, unless they match a published exemption.
Going into Nairobi (or any Kenyan city) is leaving the airport. Apply on the official eTA portal, or use Kenya eTA help.
Ship and other listed cases
Also on the same exemption lists:
- Passengers arriving and leaving by the same ship who do not leave the ship
- Owners of private aircraft stopping over for refueling who do not leave the precincts of the airport
Crew on a published crew manifest proceeding to a destination outside Kenya is a separate listed case — confirm with the carrier.
FAQ
Do I need a Kenya eTA for a layover?
Not if you are in transit on the same aircraft or transferring to another aircraft and you do not leave airport precincts. Otherwise you need an approved eTA before you travel, unless another exemption applies.
I am changing planes — is that still exempt?
It can be. The lists include transferring to another aircraft, with the same condition: do not leave the precincts of airports in Kenya.
What if I go into Nairobi or collect bags landside?
Nairobi (or any city visit) means you have left the airport — get an eTA before the journey. Landside bag claim is not defined on the exemption pages; if that step takes you out of airport precincts, you are not on this exemption. Confirm the connection with your airline.
Does my-evisas.com file a Kenya transit visa?
No. There is no separate transit-visa product here. If you will enter Kenya, my-evisas.com assists with the eTA. Airside-only transit is the official exemption above — not a filing we submit.
How my-evisas.com can help
| Provided | Kenya eTA electronic help if you will enter Kenya — Start Kenya eTA help |
| Not provided | A Kenya transit-visa filing · airside escort or airport pass |
Stay-airside connections follow the official exemption. If you will pass through immigration into Kenya, use the eTA product page.
Sources
- Kenya Embassy Washington D.C. — Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (accessed 19 August 2026)
- Kenya eTA — General Information (accessed 19 August 2026)
Important Notice
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. my-evisas.com is a private service provider and not a government authority, embassy, or consulate.
Visa requirements and entry regulations can change at short notice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. Only the official regulations in force at the time of your application are authoritative.
As of: 19 August 2026
Binding and up-to-date information is provided exclusively by the relevant official authorities. Please verify the currently applicable requirements before your application or travel: https://kenyaembassydc.org/eta/