Validity and Duration of Stay of Kenya eTA (eVisa)

Kenya eTA Validity and Duration Overview

Kenya eTA is a single-entry, short-term travel authorization used for tourists, business travelers, and transit passengers. The kind of entry for which it allows holders to enter Kenya, with specific purposes and having a stay of up to 90 days within a specified validity period.

Key Points of Kenya eTA include:

• Single entry for the holder in Kenya.
• Valid for: 3 months starting from the date of issue.
• Length of Stay: One can only stay in Kenya for a maximum of 90 days, starting from the date of entry.
• Extension: This can be extended for an additional 90 days with approval.

This e-visa will be valid for tourists, business travelers, or short-term visitors who would want to visit Kenya or attend meetings related to business affairs within the time limit.

Kenya eTA Validity Period

The Kenya eTA is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, meaning one has to enter Kenya within this period of 3 months from the date of issue. Upon entry into Kenya, the stay duration starts to be counted from the arrival date in Kenya, which is 90 days maximum.

Important Notes on Validity

Understanding the Validity Period:

• Activation: The eTA takes effect on the date you enter Kenya, not on the issuance date.
• Single Entry Only: The Kenya eTA allows entry to the country only once. When you leave Kenya before the end of the 90-day stay, the eTA expires and you should reapply for another one in case you will be visiting again.
• Unexpired Visa: You must arrive in Kenya within the 90-day validity period of the eTA. If not, your eTA will expire, and you will need to apply again.

Example: If an eTA is issued on 1st January, then it will be valid up to 31st March. You must enter Kenya before 31st March if you want to use it.

Duration of Stay Allowed Under the Kenya eTA

The Kenya eTA allows for a maximum of 90 days starting from the date of entry. This means, from the day one arrives in Kenya, such a period begins to run wherein they can continue enjoying the national parks, beaches, and cities of Kenya without having to leave the country until such time as this period has expired.

Duration of Stay Details:

Starting Point: The day one arrives in Kenya counts as Day 1.

Overstaying Penalties: If your stay exceeds the 90-day duration without an approved extension, there could be some penalties, fines, or problems with future travel to Kenya.

For those visitors who wish to stay for more than 90 days, there are varieties of options to extend the eTA's duration once they have arrived in Kenya.

Kenya eTA Extension Options

If you plan to stay in Kenya beyond the initial 90 days, the Immigration Department allows you to apply for a 90-day extension. This will double the stay period, totaling 180 days from the date of initial entry.

How to Apply for an Extension:

1. Visit Immigration Offices: Normally, extensions are processed at immigration offices in major cities like Nairobi and Mombasa.
2. Documents Required: Your passport with the current eTA, and also proof regarding your ability to support yourself with sufficient travel funds.
3. Extension Fees: Applying for an extension attracts some fees that need to be paid at the time of application.

Important Tips:

– Apply Early: The applicants must apply at least two weeks prior to the expiration date of the initial 90-day period to avoid last-minute problems.

– Single Extension Only: In general, the Kenya eTA is allowed to be extended only once, which will allow a stay for up to 180 days altogether.

Types of Kenya eTAs and Their Particular Validity and Duration

Kenya has different types of eTAs targeted towards various reasons for entering the country. Here is how each of them goes in regard to validity and length of stay:

• Single-Entry Tourist Visa:

  Validity: It is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.

  The stay duration shall not exceed 90 days; however, this may be extended for an additional period of 90 days, totaling 180 days.

• Transit Visa:

  Validity: 72 hours from the time of entry.

  Stay Duration: This visa is specifically designed for travelers who are transiting through Kenya on the way to another destination and shall stay up to 3 days in the country. The visa type is non-extendable.

• East Africa Tourist Visa:

  This multiple-entry visa will have a validity period of 90 days, enabling visitors to travel between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.

  Duration of Stay: Up to 90 days across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Reentry within this period is allowed, as long as the visa is valid, but not extendable.

If you plan to visit multiple countries, the East Africa Tourist Visa provides flexibility in moving from Kenya to Uganda to Rwanda without requiring additional visas.

Tips to Handle Kenya eTA Validity and Length

To ensure a smooth and hassle-free trip to Kenya, here are some tips to manage your eVisa validity and length of stay:

• Keep Tab of the Entry Date: Knowing your exact date of entry helps you keep tabs better on the 90-day duration of your stay and avoid overstaying.
• Verify Dates of Validity: When you receive your electronic visa, confirm the date of validity. Then, you should plan accordingly for your entry into Kenya.
• Plan Ahead for Extensions: If you feel you will need more than 90 days in Kenya, set plans for an extension by paying a visit to the immigration office before the expiration date of your stay.
• Overstays are to be avoided: leaving Kenya after your eTA or the period of time granted through extension has expired may result in fines and could lead to problems with your future Kenya visa application.

Example: If you enter Kenya on April 1, your 90-day stay will allow you to stay until June 30. You would need to apply for an extension by mid-June if you want to stay past June 30.

Frequently Asked Questions

can i enter anytime within the 90-day validity of the eta? if i am leaving kenya before my 90 days are up, am i allowed entry with the same eta? what if i overstay my kenya eta? how long does the extension process for an eta take? when should i apply for the kenya eta?

Content Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general guidance and subject to change. For current information, refer to the official websites before lodging an application. Please note that this page was last updated in January 2025; thus, some visa rules and traveling norms might change.