Kenya eTA vs Old eVisa and Visa on Arrival: What US Travelers Should Use
Short answer: For an ordinary visit on a US passport, plan to obtain an approved Kenya electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before your journey. Kenya’s “visa-free” language describes the policy under which the eTA system was introduced; it does not mean a US visitor can simply arrive without the required authorisation. The current government application channel is etakenya.go.ke. The former eVisa portal was replaced on 5 January 2024. As of 24 September 2026, an ordinary US visitor should not plan on obtaining a visa on arrival instead.
Navigation: ← Kenya hub · Kenya eTA guide · Explore optional eTA assistance
Two paths at a glance
For a typical US visitor, the meaningful choice is how to file for the current eTA, not whether an old eVisa or an arrival counter is more convenient. Kenya’s embassy in Washington says the eTA system replaced the former eVisa portal, while both the embassy and Kenya’s immigration directorate say visitors must have an approved eTA before starting their journey, subject to the listed exemptions.
| Question | Kenya eTA before you fly | Old eVisa, VoA, or skip paperwork |
|---|---|---|
| Current route for an ordinary US visit | Apply through the government eTA channel and have approval before departure. Optional private eTA filing help is available here. | The former eVisa portal is no longer the current application channel. Do not treat visa on arrival or “visa-free” wording as a substitute for the pre-travel eTA requirement. |
| When to make the decision | Before beginning the journey, allowing time for a decision. | Waiting until arrival does not meet the stated pre-journey approval rule for a traveler who needs an eTA. |
The table describes the ordinary US visitor case. A traveler who may qualify for one of Kenya’s listed exemptions needs to check that specific category against the Kenya Embassy’s eTA guidance before relying on it.
Kenya eTA before you fly
Kenyan authorities say visitors who need an eTA must have it approved before the start of the journey. This includes infants and children unless an exemption applies. An application or payment alone is therefore different from an approval: check the decision before traveling. The official eTA website is the direct filing route.
Kenya’s immigration directorate says eTA applications are processed within three working days; the embassy cautions that some cases can take longer. Build that uncertainty into your travel plans rather than treating three working days as a guaranteed turnaround. For application documents and timing in more detail, see the Kenya eTA guide.
Old eVisa, visa on arrival, and “visa free”
The names reflect a change in system, not three interchangeable ways to enter Kenya. The Kenya Embassy says the government implemented eTA under its Visa Free Regime and that etakenya.go.ke replaced the previously operational evisa.go.ke platform effective 5 January 2024. If you find an older instruction pointing to evisa.go.ke, use the current eTA channel for a new ordinary visit.
“Visa free” can sound like “no advance paperwork,” but the embassy’s eTA guidance and the U.S. Department of State’s Kenya entry information both point to an electronic travel authorisation requirement. US nationality is not among the exemptions listed by the Kenya Embassy. The practical conclusion for an ordinary US visitor is to secure the eTA before travel, rather than count on a visa on arrival or an exemption inferred from the policy’s name.
Which path fits your trip?
For an ordinary visit on a US passport, the route is the current eTA unless you qualify for a listed exemption. Obtain an approval before starting your journey, and check each family member’s status separately: Kenya’s pre-travel eTA rule expressly includes infants and children. An application in progress does not meet that approval requirement.
If you plan to work, study, or travel for another purpose beyond an ordinary visit, first confirm with Kenyan authorities which immigration permission fits that purpose. The ordinary visitor’s eTA decision does not settle whether your intended activity needs separate permission. If you may be exempt from the eTA requirement, check the specific category in the Kenya Embassy’s eTA guidance. For help finding the relevant Kenya route guide, start at the Kenya hub before choosing an application.
Shared entry notes
An eTA approval is a travel authorisation, while the length of your permitted stay is determined at entry. The Kenya Embassy says an eTA is valid for travel within 90 days of issue. That 90-day travel window is not a promise of a 90-day stay, so check the terms of the authorisation and the decision given at the border.
Check your passport early. The Kenya Embassy’s eTA application guidance calls for a passport valid for at least six months after the planned arrival date and at least one blank page. The U.S. Department of State’s entry guidance lists six months’ validity, a Kenyan eTA, and at least two blank pages. These figures describe different source contexts: one is the embassy’s application requirement, and the other is the State Department’s entry advice for US travelers. Having two blank pages addresses the more cautious entry guidance; a traveler with fewer should resolve the discrepancy before departure rather than assume the application minimum settles entry readiness.
FAQ
Do US citizens still need an eTA if Kenya is visa free?
Yes, for an ordinary visit on a US passport. Kenya introduced eTA under its Visa Free Regime, but the embassy requires pre-travel approval for visitors who are not exempt, and US nationality is not on its exemption list. Check the current eTA guidance if another exemption category may apply to you.
Can I get a Kenya visa on arrival?
Do not plan on that for an ordinary US visit. Kenya’s stated route is an approved eTA before the journey. A traveler with a distinct immigration status or purpose should confirm the applicable route with Kenyan authorities before traveling.
What happened to evisa.go.ke?
According to the Kenya Embassy, the current eTA portal replaced evisa.go.ke effective 5 January 2024. Use the current portal for a new eTA application.
Which path can my-evisas.com help with?
The optional assistance route is for a supported electronic eTA application. You can also file directly through the government portal. Kenyan authorities make the eTA and admission decisions.
How my-evisas.com can help
You can apply directly on Kenya’s government eTA website. If you prefer filing support for a supported electronic application, review my-evisas.com’s Kenya eTA assistance. The service is private and optional; Kenyan authorities decide whether to approve an eTA and whether to admit a traveler.
| Assistance available | Outside this service |
|---|---|
| Optional help with a supported electronic eTA filing. | The former eVisa route, visa on arrival, and consular submission or embassy appointments. |
Sources
- Kenya Embassy Washington, D.C. — Electronic Travel Authorisation (accessed 24 September 2026).
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services — Electronic Travel Authorisation (accessed 24 September 2026).
- U.S. Department of State — Kenya International Travel Information (accessed 24 September 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: 24 September 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://www.etakenya.go.ke/