3.1 eTA Instead of a Traditional Visa
Since the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), a traditional visa is no longer required for entry into Kenya; instead, all travelers (with the exception of certain groups) must apply for an eTA before entry. The Federal Foreign Office notes that applications must be submitted exclusively online and should be filed no earlier than three months and no later than 72 hours before departure.[^8][^2]
At the same time, the East African Tourist Visa remains available, which is valid for Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda; this is applied for through the respective national e-visa systems (e.g., Uganda or Rwanda) and allows for multiple entries within 90 days.[^10][^20][^8]
3.2 Kenya eTA – Scope and Jurisdiction
The eTA is an electronic travel authorization for the pre-screening of travelers; it is applied for via the official portal www.etakenya.go.ke or via linked government portals. The Kenyan Immigration Service is responsible; the traveler’s personal information, travel details, proof of accommodation, and, if necessary, additional documents are requested.[^9][^21] [^22]
Important Note: Certain groups of people—e.g., citizens of certain African countries or holders of certain service IDs—are partially exempt from the eTA requirement; Germans do not belong to the eTA-exempt groups and therefore generally require an eTA.[^23] [^9]
3.3 Visa Categories / Purposes Covered by the eTA
The eTA covers various travel purposes, including:[^24][^9]
- Tourism (vacation, sightseeing, safari).
- Business travel (meetings, conferences, contract negotiations).
- Visiting family/friends.
- Medical treatment.
- Transit (passing through).
Depending on the purpose, additional documents may be required (e.g., invitation letter, medical certificates, employment contract).[^9]
3.4 eTA Application Process (from a German Perspective)
The standard process for German citizens:[^21][^22][^9]
- Access the official portal (www.etakenya.go.ke or via the ecitizen portal) and, if necessary, create a user account.[^22][^9]
- Select the purpose of travel and fill out the online form with personal information, passport details, travel information, and contact details.[^23][^9]
- Upload the required documents, typically:
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry, with at least one blank page).
- Digital passport photo.
- Flight details (outbound/return flight numbers, travel dates).
- Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation or invitation letter).[^9][^23]
- Online payment of the eTA fee (credit card, etc.; current fee approx. $30 for the Tourism/Standard eTA, approx. $20–$30 depending on category; as of May 2026). Citizens of numerous African countries are exempt from the eTA fee.[^24][^22]
- Review by Kenyan authorities; delivery of the approval via email as a PDF/e-document; printing or saving to a mobile device is recommended.[^22][^9]
Processing time: usually 1–3 business days, longer in individual cases; the Federal Foreign Office therefore recommends applying at least a few days before departure.[^8][^22]
3.5 East African Tourist Visa (Kenya – Uganda – Rwanda)
For round-trip tours through East Africa, an East African Tourist Visa can be applied for, which is valid for Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda and permits multiple entries within 90 days. It carries a standard fee of $100, is valid exclusively for tourist purposes, and cannot be extended.[^20][^10][^8]
Key Points:[^10][^20]
- Applications are submitted via the e-visa system of the country of first entry (e.g., Uganda or Rwanda).
- The visa allows entry into all three countries as long as the 90-day validity period is not exceeded.
- Working is not permitted; national visas are required for business or long-term stays.
3.6 Long-term stays in Kenya (work, study)
For activities such as work, study, or longer project-related stays, in addition to the eTA, a corresponding Work Permit or Student Pass is required, which must be applied for directly with Kenyan authorities. These procedures are significantly more complex and go beyond the scope of this overview; they generally require: [^25][^26]
- An employer/sponsor in Kenya.
- Extensive documentation (employment/study contracts, proof of qualifications, health certificates).
- Issuance by the Department of Immigration Services.