Kenya eTA for Indians 2026: Fees, Documents, Yellow Fever

Quick answer

Indian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) for Kenya, which replaced the visa in 2024. Apply on the official eTA portal, pay about USD 30 plus card charges, and expect approval within about three working days. It allows a stay of up to 90 days. Carry a yellow fever certificate, which India checks when you return.

At a glance

Visa type: Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
Stay allowed: Up to 90 days
Fee: About USD 30 plus processing charges (roughly ₹2,700–3,100 in total)
Processing: Usually within 3 working days (72 hours)
Validity: 90 days from issue, single entry
Apply at: Official portal

Documents checklist

Passport valid at least six months, with a blank page
Passport bio-page scan and a selfie or passport-style photo
Return or onward ticket
Hotel, lodge or safari camp bookings for every night
Safari operator's itinerary, if travelling with one
Yellow fever vaccination certificate (India checks it when you return)
Card for online payment, and an email and phone number for the approval

Common mistakes that get Indians refused

India requires a valid yellow fever certificate from travellers returning from Kenya; without it you can be quarantined on arrival home.
Each traveller, including infants, needs their own eTA.
Apply only on the official portal; third-party sites charge USD 50–100 for the same eTA.
The eTA is single entry; crossing into Tanzania and back into Kenya can need a fresh eTA.

Do Indians need a visa for Kenya?

Indians no longer apply for a Kenyan visa; they apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), which replaced visas for most nationalities in January 2024. It is fully online, costs about USD 30 plus card charges, and is usually approved within three working days.

How to apply, step by step

Use only the official eTA portal. Third-party sites charge USD 50–100 for the same authorisation.
Have ready: a passport bio-page scan, a selfie or passport-style photo, your return ticket, hotel or safari camp bookings for every night, and an email address and phone number.
Fill the form, including your arrival flight and the address of each lodge. Safari travellers can follow their operator's itinerary.
Pay by card: about USD 30 plus processing charges, roughly ₹2,700–3,100 in total.
Wait for the approval email, usually within 72 hours. Print it.

The eTA is valid for 90 days from issue for a single entry and allows a stay of up to 90 days. Do not apply too early: it must still be valid when you land.

What immigration actually checks

At Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, officers check the eTA, passport validity (at least six months) and sometimes your return ticket. Safari travellers rarely face questions if they can name their camp and operator.

The yellow fever rule that catches Indians

India requires travellers returning from Kenya to show a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Without it, you can be held in quarantine on arrival in India. Get the vaccine at a government-authorised centre at least 10 days before departure and keep the certificate with your passport. The certificate is valid for life.

Combining Kenya with Tanzania

The Maasai Mara and Serengeti sit side by side, and many itineraries cross between them. Tanzania needs its own visa, and because the Kenyan eTA is single entry, coming back into Kenya can mean a fresh eTA. Ask your operator to route the trip so you cross only once where possible.

Tips for families and seniors

Every traveller, including infants, needs their own eTA.
Mara game drives involve hours on bumpy dirt tracks. Older travellers with back problems should consider flying from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to the Mara airstrips instead of driving.
Safari camps cater well to vegetarians and Jain diets if told in advance.

For costs and timing, see the Kenya trip cost guide, the best time to visit Kenya for the migration months, and things to do in Kenya. Our visa assistance team can file eTAs for the whole group, and our travel insurance desk can cover the safari.

Frequently asked questions

Do Indians need a visa for Kenya?

Indians need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) rather than a traditional visa. Apply on Kenya's official eTA portal before you fly, pay about USD 30 plus card charges, and expect approval in about three working days. The eTA allows a single entry and a stay of up to 90 days.

How much does the Kenya eTA cost for Indians?

At the time of review, about USD 30 plus processing charges, which works out to roughly ₹2,700 to ₹3,100 per traveller. Third-party websites charge far more for the same eTA, so apply directly on the official Kenyan government portal.

Is yellow fever vaccination required for Kenya?

India requires it for your return: travellers arriving in India from Kenya must show a valid yellow fever certificate or risk quarantine. Get vaccinated at a government-authorised centre at least 10 days before departure. The certificate is valid for life.

Can I visit the Serengeti from the Maasai Mara on a Kenya eTA?

Not on the eTA alone. Tanzania requires its own visa, and since the Kenyan eTA is single entry, re-entering Kenya can need a new eTA. Plan the route with your safari operator so you cross the border only once where possible.

How early should I apply for the Kenya eTA?

Apply at least two weeks before travel, though most approvals come within 72 hours. Do not apply too early either: the eTA is valid for 90 days from issue, so it must still be valid on the day you arrive.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.