Can you Enter Kenya Port of Entry with eTA?

The Kenya Online eTA or Kenya e eTA has made it much convenient for travellers worldwide to enter and stay in the country without visiting an embassy or consulate. But, if you have an eTA, it is essential to note that you can enter Kenya via selected entry points.

The Kenyan government has provided a list of designated seaports, airports, and land border crossings for eTA holders to enter Kenya. Using any other port of entry is not allowed. This is why you need to read this article till the end to find out which port of entry you can use to enter Kenya with an eTA.

Designated Seaports and Airports:

In total, there are 9 airports and 10 seaports from where visitors can enter with an eTA. Other seaports and airports will not accept electronic eTA, and the travellers may have to deal with unwanted complexities.

International Airports:

A majority of Kenyan airports are used for domestic flights. Therefore, they won’t accept travellers entering Kenya with an eTA. Most visitors enter the country through these three international airports.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport:

Kenya’s busiest airport is located at a distance of 15km in the southeast of Nairobi. There are three terminals at this airport, out of which two are international.

Moi International Airport:

This is Kenya’s 2nd busiest airport, located 9km away from Mombasa. It is used for domestic and charter flights mainly.

Wilson Airport:

The 3rd busiest airport in Kenya is located 6km in South Nairobi.

You can use the Kenya eTA to enter via the following six airports, but they aren’t so commonly used:

Seaports

You may enter the country via sea, but it is pretty uncommon. The Kenyan government plans to launch a new cross-lake ferry service to allow sea-based travels between Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Some travellers, however, can charter boats privately. The following seaports in Kenya allow Kenya eTA holders.

Kenya Land Border Crossings

Ethiopia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Somalia, and Uganda all these countries share borders with Kenya. However, you can only use Tanzania and Uganda border crossings to enter Kenya by land. Kenya-Somalia border crossings don’t exist, and South Sudan and Ethiopia border officials do not accept eTA.

Tanzania-Kenya border crossings

You can easily cross the Kenya-Tanzania border as a regular bus service operates over almost all the border crossings. Using a Kenya eTA, you can enter the country from Tanzania via the following five border crossings.

Lunga Lunga

It connects Mombassa with Tanga and also dar es Salaam. The crossing is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is the closest border crossing to the coast, and regular coaches are available. However, keep in mind that at Lunga Lunga, you won’t find any official money changers.

Loitokitok

If you want to travel from Amboseli National Park to Marangu, opt to cross the border via Loitokitok. It remains open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, public transport isn’t allowed to pass through this crossing so, don’t expect to hop on a coach or bus and arrange for your transport. It is around a two-hour drive from the border to Moshi.

Taveta

Taveta links Moshi with Mombasa and Voi. It is also open between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., and buses and coaches are available daily to transport travellers. If you intend to use your own vehicle, please make sure to complete the paperwork between 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Isebania

It connects Sirari with Isebania, and the border remains open between 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.. if you want to travel to west Kenya, this is the crossing you should choose. However, direct bus service over the border is unavailable. You can easily walk over the border and get on a bus on the other side.

Namanga

Namanga links Nairobi and Arusha and remains open throughout the day. Regular bus service is available at the border from different locations.

• Kenya– border crossing is the busiest of all.

Kenya-Uganda border crossings

Two land-border crossings allow travellers to enter Kenya and Tanzania. Busia and Malaba.

Malaba

It connects Uganda and Eldoret, and there are regular coaches/buses available at the border. However, the border posts are just 1 km away, so travellers can easily walk between them.

Busia

This border crossing connects Nairobi and Kampala. Regular bus service is available at the crossing, but you can easily pass through the border on foot.

Please note that Kenya eTA allows you to enter through any of these borders mentioned above. But you can exit the country via any border crossing.

Document to be Presented at Kenyan Ports of Entry

If you want to enter Kenya with an eTA, you will need to present the following document upon arrival at any port of entry:

• A print of your approved Kenya eTA

  ---

• A valid passport. Make sure that the passport is the same you used to complete the eTA application form online and has a minimum of six months validity date from the date of your arrival in Kenya.

  ---

• Travel itinerary- It includes details of the sites/cities you will be visiting during your stay in Kenya.

  ---

• Proof of accommodation, including hotel bookings or any other place where you intend to stay.

  ---