Travel visa · Africa · 2026

Kenya visa for UAE residents (2026)

Kenya abolished regular visas in January 2024 and replaced them with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). Almost every foreign visitor, including all UAE residents regardless of passport, needs an approved eTA before boarding; only Kenyan citizens and a small exempt group, mainly from East African states, are excluded. Applications are submitted online on the official portal etakenya.go.ke.

Visas replaced by eTA: Since January 2024 Kenya switched from visas to an electronic travel authorisation for nearly all visitors.
Stay on eTA: Up to 90 days, single entry A new authorisation is needed for each entry after leaving Kenya.
Processing: Usually a few days Official advice is to apply at least two weeks before departure; the decision arrives by email.
Yellow fever certificate: Required from risk countries Mandatory for arrivals from endemic countries; many safari travellers carry it regardless.

Visas

Who needs this visa

UAE citizens — like other foreign visitors, they need an approved eTA before departure.
All residents — the eTA is nationality-neutral: holders of Indian, Pakistani, Filipino and any other passports apply the same way.
Exemptions — Kenyan citizens and a small group of exempt travellers, mainly from East African states.
Where to apply — online only, on the official portal etakenya.go.ke; there is no visa on arrival.

Document checklist

Passport valid for at least 6 months
Passport bio-page scan uploaded to the portal
Recent passport-style digital photo
Confirmed return or onward flight booking
Hotel booking or host contact and address in Kenya
Contact details (email and phone) for the eTA decision
Copy of the UAE residence visa (recommended supporting document)
Yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers arriving from risk countries

Process

How it works

Create a portal account
15-30 minutes

Register on etakenya.go.ke with your email; each traveller, including children, needs a separate application.
Complete the form
30-60 minutes

Fill in personal and travel details and upload the passport scan, photo, ticket and accommodation.
Pay online
Within the application

Pay the eTA fee by card during submission; the amount is shown at checkout.
Receive the decision
A few days

The approved eTA arrives by email; most cases are cleared within days, so apply at least two weeks ahead.
Show the eTA at check-in
Travel day

Airlines verify the approved eTA before boarding; keep a printed or offline copy for immigration in Nairobi or Mombasa.

Fees and rules checked September 2026 — confirm with the application center before booking.

Visa fees

Fee item	Amount
eTA, adult	Paid online at the official portal; the exact amount is shown at checkout
eTA, children	Separate application; the fee category is shown on the portal
Transit eTA	A separate, cheaper category on the portal for short transits
Visa on arrival	Not available — the authorisation must be approved before boarding

Government fees are set in local currency; service fees are set by the application center. Checked Sep 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Do UAE residents still need a visa for Kenya?

Kenya no longer issues visas; since January 2024 all foreign visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) approved before boarding. This applies to UAE citizens and to residents of every nationality.

Is there a visa on arrival in Kenya?

No, the on-arrival option was abolished together with the visa system. Airlines check the approved eTA at check-in, and travellers without one are refused boarding.

How long does the Kenya eTA take to process?

Most applications are decided within a few days, but the official recommendation is to apply at least two weeks before departure. Delays occur when documents are unclear or additional checks are triggered.

Can I use one eTA for Kenya and Tanzania on a safari circuit?

The Kenyan eTA is single entry, so returning to Kenya from Tanzania requires a new authorisation. Each country on the circuit — Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda — has its own entry system.