Countries and Foreign Nationals Exempt from Kenya's Electronic Travel Authorization

Learn which countries, citizens, and international organizations are exempt from the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) in Kenya. Understanding these exemptions and duration of stay is important for those planning to visit Kenya.

May 12, 2025 - 16:38
Aug 23, 2025 - 21:52
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1. Foreign Nationals with Official Kenyan Documents

Exemption from the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is applicable to specific groups of people in Kenya. These include:

  1. A person with a valid Kenyan Passports or a one-way Emergency Travel document issued by a Kenyan Missions abroad.
  2. Those holding Kenya Permanent Residence, valid Work Permits, and Passes.

2. Foreign Nationals in the Following Situations

  1. Passengers transiting through Kenya on the same aircraft or transferring to another without leaving the airport precincts.
  2. Ship passengers who arrive and depart on the same vessel without disembarking.
  3. Owners of private aircraft stopping over for refueling in Kenya without leaving the airport precints.
  4. Crew members of ships, aircraft, trains, and vehicles, listed in the manifest and continuing to travel outside Kenya.

3. East African Community (EAC) Member States

Citizens of East African Partner States do not need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter Kenya and they can stay for a period of up to 6 months (180 days). This exempted countries includes;

  1. Burundi
  2. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
  3. Rwanda
  4. South Sudan
  5. Tanzania, and 
  6. Uganda.

4. United Nations Travel Documents and Official Representatives

  1. Holders of a valid United Nations Conventional Travel Documents issued by the Government of Kenya.
  2. Members of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations accredited to Kenya.

5. Countries Permitted to Stay Up to 2 Months

Citizens from these african countries are permitted to stay for a period not exceeding 2 months (60 days). The table below contains the list.

List of Countries

Algeria

Chad

Guinea Bissau

Nigeria

Angola

Cote d'Ivoire

Liberia

Sao Tome and Principe

Benin

Djibouti

Madagascar

Senegal

Burkina Faso

Egypt

Mali

Seychelles

Cape Verde

Equatoria Guinea

Mauritania

Sudan

Cameroon

Gabon

Morocco

Togo

Central African Republic

Guinea

Niger

Tunisia

6. Countries Permitted to Stay Up to 3 Months

Citizens from these specified countries are permitted to stay for a period not exceeding 3 months (90) days.The table below contains the list.

List of Countries

Barbados

Fiji Island

Maldives

San Marino

The Bahamas

Belize

Gambia

Malawi

Sierra Leone

The Gambia

Botswana

Ghana

Mauritius

Singapore

Tonga

Brunei

Grenada

Mozambique

South Africa

Trinidad and Tobago

Cyprus

Guyana

Namibia

St. Kitts and Navis

The Republic of Congo

Dominica

Jamaica

Nauru

St. Lucia

Tuvalu

Eritrea

Kiribati

Papua New Guinea

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Vanuatu

Eswatini

Lesotho

Union of Comoros

Swaziland

Zambia

Ethiopia

Malaysia

Samoa

Seychelles

Zimbabwe

7. Foreign Nationals and Diplomats Applying for eTA but Exempt from Payment

Diplomats, foreign delegates (including United Nations officials), and holders of a Laissez Passer document are exempt from paying the standard fee for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). However, if you require expedited processing, you have the option to pay for faster service.

Here is a list of holders exempt from paying the eTA service fee.

  1. A person possessing Diplomatic, Official, or Service Passports while on official duty.
  2. A person holding specific Laissez Passers for official business purposes and associated with international and regional organizations. These include;
    • United Nations Organization 
    • African Union
    • African Development Bank
    • Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa
    • African Development Bank
    • Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa
    • International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa
    • Desert Locust Control Organization
    • COMESA
    • International Monetary Fund and World Bank
    • Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
    • African Airlines Travel Association (IATA)
    • Environment Liaison Centre International (ELCI)
    • Union of Radio, Television Network of Africa (URTNA)
    • International Labour Organization (ILO)
    • European Union
    • CIP (International Potato Centre)
    • African Reinsurance Corporation (ARC)
    • African Housing Fund (AHF)

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