Kenya Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Nationals of these countries may enter Kenya without any prior electronic authorisation and receive a free stay stamp at the border.
The 90-day allowance is cumulative. If you exit to Tanzania and return the same week, remaining days are deducted from the original quota.
All travellers not on the visa-free list, including those transiting airside for more than 24 h, must apply online for an ETA.
Cost: Mid-range government fee (≈ USD 32) plus small card handling charge
The ETA is tied to the passport number you used. If you renew your passport you need a new ETA.
A small number of states whose citizens cannot use the electronic system must apply in person at a Kenya diplomatic mission.
List can change without notice, confirm on the immigration site if your country is redirected to embassy processing.
Arrival Process
Most passengers arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Follow the signs marked 'Immigration' straight after disembarking. Baggage claim lies behind the immigration hall.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Kenya Revenue Authority enforces strict limits on duty-free imports. Anything above the allowance is taxed at 25, 50 % at the airport counters before you exit.
Prohibited Items
- Plastic carrier bags, environmental ban enforced with on-the-spot fines
- Toy guns that resemble firearms, confiscated at baggage scan
- Pornographic material in print or digital form, heavy penalties
Restricted Items
- Drone imports, require prior approval from Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. Airport storage fee applies until permit shown
Health Requirements
Yellow-fever vaccination is the only universally required shot. But several others are recommended to avoid disruptions to your itinerary in Kenya.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow fever (for arrivals from endemic countries or transiting >12 h through those airports)
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
- Polio booster
- Hepatitis B
- Meningitis (if visiting northern Kenya)
- Rabies (for long-stay volunteers)
- Routine MMR & DPT updates
Health Insurance
Kenya does not mandate travel insurance. But medical evacuation to Nairobi or South Africa is expensive; a mid-range policy that includes air-ambulance cover is strongly advised.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Quote from World NomadsRead our complete Kenya Travel Insurance Guide →
Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Bring the child's passport and a certified copy of their birth certificate. If only one parent is present, carry a notarized consent letter from the absent parent; Kenya border officials look closely at child trafficking safeguards.
Obtain an import permit from the Directorate of Veterinary Services at least 30 days in advance, plus a rabies vaccination certificate and an ISO-compliant microchip. Pets enter only through Jomo Kenyatta airport cargo section or the Namanga land border.
Apply for a Class K residence permit (for retirees or remote workers) or a Class I work permit before the 90-day tourist stamp expires. Submit applications online at the Foreign National Service portal and expect 8, 10 weeks processing inside Kenya.
Know What to Pack
Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.
View Kenya Packing List →Ready to plan your trip to Kenya?
Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.