Nairobi Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
-
Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
- Who
- All visitors, including infants and children. Citizens of East African Community partner states are exempt
- When
- Before the journey. Normal processing takes up to 72 hours
- Cost
- From USD 30 (expedited processing costs more)
Apply only on the official website or the official "Kenya Travel Authorisation" app.
Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Kenya runs on the Electronic Travel Authorisation. The eTA replaces older visa systems for most nationalities. Eligibility and stay length vary by passport. Check the official immigration website before booking.
East African Community partner state citizens enter Kenya without an eTA. No prior authorization required.
This exemption covers only EAC partner state citizens. Everyone else needs an eTA before landing in Nairobi.
Every visitor to Kenya needs an Electronic Travel Authorisation. Infants and children included. This is the standard entry route for most Nairobi arrivals.
Cost: The standard eTA fee starts from USD 30. Expedited costs extra. Check current rates on the official portal.
Avoid unofficial websites. They inflate prices and may deliver nothing valid. The official portal and the official Kenya Travel Authorisation app are your only safe options.
Some nationalities need more than the standard eTA. Application steps may differ by travel purpose.
Business visitors, long-term stays, and special purpose trips need extra checks. Confirm whether different documentation or authorization categories apply.
Arrival Process
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport runs reasonably well. Busy periods slow things down. Know the steps. Move faster.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Kenya's customs regulations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport follow standard East African patterns, though a few rules surprise travelers. The nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags is strictly enforced at entry points. Carrying one in can trigger a fine. Declare anything exceeding duty-free allowances or falling under restrictions through the red channel.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances carry severe penalties in Kenya. Avoid entirely.
- Counterfeit goods including pirated media and fake branded merchandise
- Single-use plastic bags are banned nationwide and enforced at entry points. Do not pack them.
- Pornographic material in any format
- Firearms, ammunition, and explosives require prior authorization from Kenyan authorities. Leave them home.
- Ivory, rhino horn, and products from endangered wildlife species are prohibited under CITES and Kenyan wildlife protection law.
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications beyond personal-use quantities need a doctor's letter and original labeled packaging. Pack smart.
- Plants, seeds, and soil require a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin. Arrange this in advance.
- Live animals need import permits and health documentation from Kenya's Directorate of Veterinary Services. Plan ahead.
- Radio communication equipment may need licensing from the Communications Authority of Kenya. Check requirements.
Health Requirements
Kenya's health entry requirements focus mainly on yellow fever, though Nairobi-bound travelers should consider broader East African health precautions. Health situations shift with outbreaks and seasons. Verify latest requirements through official health channels before departure.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow fever vaccination is required for travelers arriving from or transiting through countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. You will need to present a valid International Certificate of Vaccination showing yellow fever immunization given at least ten days before arrival. Health staff check this at the screening desk before or alongside immigration at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A, given the risk from contaminated food and water
- Typhoid, worth considering if you plan to eat outside of major hotels and established restaurants in Nairobi
- Hepatitis B, recommended for longer stays or situations where medical treatment might be needed
- Tetanus-diphtheria booster if not currently up to date
- Routine vaccinations should be current, including measles-mumps-rubella
- Malaria prophylaxis is worth discussing with a travel health specialist. Nairobi's altitude reduces mosquito-borne risk compared to lower-lying parts of Kenya. But it does not eliminate it entirely, and you may well travel to areas where the risk is higher.
Health Insurance
Kenya does not formally require proof of health insurance for entry. But traveling without coverage that includes medical evacuation is a significant financial gamble. Nairobi has capable private hospitals. But treatment costs can accumulate rapidly, and evacuation to another country for specialized care is expensive. Most travel insurance policies are straightforward to arrange before departure. This is one area where being covered matters more than most travelers expect.
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Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children, including infants, need their own passport and an approved eTA to enter Kenya. If a child is traveling with one parent, immigration officers may ask to see a certified letter of consent from the other parent or legal guardian, along with the child's birth certificate. For children traveling with someone other than a parent, a notarized authorization letter from both parents, copies of their identification documents, and the child's birth certificate are advisable. While Kenya's enforcement of these requirements can vary, having the documentation available avoids potential complications at the immigration desk in Nairobi.
Bringing a pet into Kenya requires an import permit from Kenya's Directorate of Veterinary Services, applied for well in advance. Your pet will also need a current rabies vaccination certificate, a veterinary health certificate issued shortly before travel, and in some cases additional testing or quarantine depending on the country of origin. Airlines have their own pet transport requirements on top of the Kenyan government's, so allow plenty of lead time for the paperwork.
If you wish to stay in Kenya beyond the period granted on your eTA, you can apply for an extension through the Department of Immigration Services before your current authorization expires. Overstaying carries fines and can complicate future travel to Kenya. For those planning to work, study, or reside in Nairobi long-term, different permit categories exist, each with its own application process and eligibility criteria. Consult the official immigration website or a Kenyan immigration lawyer to identify the right category for your situation before arriving.
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Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.
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