Kenya eTA vs Old eVisa (and VoA Myths) for US Travelers
Short answer: Kenya’s current electronic path for most visitors is the eTA, applied on etakenya.go.ke. The Kenya Embassy in Washington, D.C. states that this portal replaces the old evisa.go.ke platform effective January 5, 2024. “Visa Free Regime” language on official pages still sits alongside a requirement for an approved eTA before travel (including infants and children), subject to listed exemptions. Treat visa on arrival claims for typical US tourism as outdated or DIY-to-confirm — this page does not invent VoA fee tables. The sellable path on my-evisas.com is the Kenya eTA. Start Kenya eTA help. Stand: 29 July 2026.
Navigation: ← Kenya hub · eTA guide · Start eTA help
Short answer
- Current name: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — official portal etakenya.go.ke.
- Retired name/site: old eVisa branding / evisa.go.ke (replaced 5 Jan 2024).
- “Visa free”: regime label ≠ skip authorisation for typical US tourism.
- VoA myths: confirm with Embassy / immigration if you still hear airport-counter stories; prefer eTA when unsure.
- my-evisas.com: helps with eTA only → /visas/kenya.
Side-by-side comparison
| Kenya eTA (current) | Old eVisa portal | VoA-style claims (DIY) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status (Embassy) | Current electronic authorisation | Replaced by etakenya.go.ke on 5 Jan 2024 | Not a verified fee/eligibility table on the Embassy eTA page used here |
| When you arrange it | Before the journey | Do not use as apply CTA | Often discussed as airport counter — confirm live if you rely on it |
| Official channel | etakenya.go.ke (Embassy-encouraged) | evisa.go.ke — retired | Embassy / immigration DIY |
| On my-evisas.com | Yes — assisted eTA | No | No |
What “Visa Free Regime” means for US travelers
The Embassy links the eTA system to the Presidential Directive on a Visa Free Regime and Gazette Supplement No.1 of January 2, 2024. In practice, that still means most visitors complete an eTA — not that U.S. tourists board without authorisation. Embassy wording: all visitors including infants and children must have an approved eTA before the start of their journey, subject to listed exemptions (for example certain Kenya permit holders, some EAC short stays, airside transit who do not leave airport precincts). Typical US tourism is not presented as a blanket skip-eTA case on that page.
When the Kenya eTA fits
Choose eTA when you want the decision settled before boarding, need the current government portal, or want assisted electronic filing. Allow usually three working days (may take longer), keep passport rules in mind, and travel within 90 days of issuance — details in the eTA guide or https://my-evisas.com/visas/kenya.
Old eVisa portal and VoA myths (DIY)
- Old eVisa site: www.evisa.go.ke is the previously operational platform; Embassy: replaced effective January 5, 2024. Do not pay on lookalike “eVisa Kenya” domains that are not etakenya.go.ke.
- VoA / “get it at the airport” stories: common in older guides. The Embassy eTA page used for this article does not give us a verified current VoA fee or eligibility table for US tourism to reprint. If you are considering any airport-counter process, confirm eligibility, ports, and fees with Kenyan authorities before you fly — and check airline boarding rules. When unsure, use the eTA path.
my-evisas.com does not lodge VoA or retired-portal applications for you.
Shared entry notes
- Official process detail: Embassy encourages etakenya.go.ke.
- Validity / stay / documents: see eTA guide (90-day travel validity; stay at entry; passport six months + blank page).
- Transit airside: possible eTA exemption if you never leave airport precincts — confirm itinerary; details in the pillar.
- Hub index: Kenya hub.
FAQ
Is Kenya eTA the same as Kenya eVisa?
eTA is the current electronic authorisation name and process. Old eVisa branding and evisa.go.ke are the retired portal path (replaced 5 Jan 2024). Prefer etakenya.go.ke / assisted eTA help.
Is Kenya visa-free for US citizens?
Do not read “Visa Free Regime” as “no application.” Embassy: approved eTA before travel for visitors (with listed exemptions).
Can US citizens get a Kenya visa on arrival?
Do not rely on third-party VoA reprints on this page. Confirm any counter process with Kenyan authorities. When unsure, complete a Kenya eTA before travel.
Which path can my-evisas.com help with?
Only the Kenya eTA. Start help.
How my-evisas.com can help
- Provided: Kenya eTA help → https://my-evisas.com/visas/kenya
- Not provided: Old eVisa portal filing; VoA counter products; sticker / multi-country visa lodging as a product
→ Start on my-evisas.com · eTA guide · Kenya hub
Sources
- Kenya Embassy Washington D.C. — Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (accessed 2026-07-29)
- Government of Kenya eTA portal — etakenya.go.ke (encouraged by Embassy; accessed 2026-07-29)
Disclaimer
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: 29 July 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/ and https://www.etakenya.go.ke