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Kenya Visa for Canada Citizens 2026

e-Visa / eTA

Canadian citizens must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before flying to Kenya — Kenya replaced its e-Visa with a mandatory eTA system, applied for online in advance with typical approval within a few business days.

Guide last updated September 29, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date, with at least one blank page
  • A completed online eTA application (all applicants, including infants, need their own eTA)
  • Digital passport-style photo, uploaded during the application
  • Scanned copy of the passport bio page
  • Proof of accommodation and a return/onward ticket may be requested during review
  • Yellow fever certificate required only if arriving from or having transited a yellow-fever-endemic country
  • No in-person biometrics for the eTA itself; biometric photo/fingerprints are captured on arrival at the airport as part of standard immigration

Visa types

  • Tourist/visitor eTA: single entry, valid for use within 3 months of issue, permits a stay of up to 90 days, fee approximately USD 34
  • Transit eTA: for travelers transiting Kenya, shorter validity, lower fee
  • Business eTA: same online process, requires an invitation letter from the host company in Kenya
  • Longer-term work, study, or residence permits are handled separately through Kenya's Directorate of Immigration Services and cannot be obtained via the eTA portal

How to apply online

  • Apply at Kenya's official eTA portal (etakenya.go.ke) — avoid third-party sites that charge extra markup
  • Steps: create an account, complete the applicant form, upload passport bio page and photo, pay the fee online by card, and submit
  • Fee: approximately USD 34 per applicant, paid in USD by credit/debit card
  • Processing time: typically within 48–72 hours, though it can take longer during peak season — apply at least a week before travel
  • Approval arrives by email as a PDF eTA authorization; print or save a copy to present at check-in and on arrival

Fees & processing time

  • eTA fee: approximately USD 34 per person (no separate local-currency fee)
  • No VFS/BLS service fee — the portal is Kenya's own government system
  • Total cost estimate: USD 34 plus any card processing fee from your bank
  • Standard processing time: 48–72 hours
  • Express processing is not officially offered — applying early is the only way to reduce risk of delay

Tips for Canada travelers

  • Apply as soon as your flights are booked — while approvals are often fast, allow at least a week of buffer before departure
  • Double-check the spelling of your name and passport number against your passport exactly as printed; mismatches are a common rejection reason
  • Use only the official etakenya.go.ke portal; several unofficial sites mimic it and charge inflated fees
  • Carry a printed copy of the eTA approval along with your passport — airlines may check it before boarding
  • If arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or transiting one for more than 12 hours), bring your vaccination certificate to avoid delays at the airport health desk

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.