Kenya Visa for Indians: eTA Requirements & How to Apply
Every Indian passport holder needs an approved travel authorisation before landing in Kenya. There is no visa stamp on arrival anymore, so the paperwork has to be sorted before you board.
This guide walks through who needs a Kenya visa for Indians, which documents to keep ready, what the whole process costs, and how long it takes, so nothing holds up your safari dates.
Key takeaways
Every Indian traveller needs an approved eTA before departure, including infants
The standard fee runs about USD 30 to 34, roughly ₹2,700 to ₹2,900
Most applications clear in three working days, so apply at least two weeks out
Your passport needs six months of validity and one blank page
An approved eTA is valid for entry within 90 days, and stay length is set at the airport
What is the Kenya eTA and do Indians need one?
Yes. Every Indian citizen needs a Kenya visa for Indians in the form of an eTA, applied for online before travel, since Kenya scrapped visa-on-arrival and folded its old e-visa system into one electronic authorisation.
The Kenya eTA for Indians replaced the previous evisa.go.ke platform in January 2024, under a directive that moved Kenya toward a fully digital entry system for all nationalities.
It is not optional paperwork. Airlines can deny boarding to anyone without an approved eTA, and immigration officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport check it before you clear the counter.
The eTA itself does not guarantee entry. It confirms you may travel, and the immigration officer still makes the final admissibility call on arrival.
What documents do you need for a Kenya e-visa application?
You need six things ready before you open the form: a passport bio-page scan, a recent photo, your travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, contact details, and proof of onward or return travel.
Passport valid for at least six months from your entry date, with one blank page
A clear digital photo or scan of the passport bio page
A passport-style photograph against a plain background
Confirmed return or onward flight details
Hotel booking confirmation or a host’s invitation letter
A working email address, since your result and the eTA PDF arrive there
Business travellers add an invitation letter from the Kenyan host company and a covering letter from their Indian employer. Keep scanned copies as clear PDFs or JPEGs, since blurry uploads are a common reason applications stall.
How much does the Kenya visa for Indians cost?
Kenya visa fees for Indians sit around USD 30 to 34 per traveller for the standard single-entry eTA, which works out to roughly ₹2,700 to ₹2,900 depending on the day’s exchange rate and card processing charges.
That fee is the same whether you book a Kenya visa for Indians as a solo tourist or as part of a family group application, since the portal charges per traveller rather than per form.
Every traveller pays individually, children and infants included. There is no discount for group applications, only a shared form that saves you re-entering repeated details.
How do you apply for Kenya e-visa from India?
Knowing how to apply for Kenya e-visa from India removes most of the guesswork: the whole process happens on one government portal without an embassy visit, and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes once your documents are ready.
Go to the official Kenya eTA portal and create an account with your email
Select individual or group application, then choose India as your country of residence
Fill in passport, contact and trip details exactly as they appear on your passport
Upload your passport scan, photo and supporting documents
Review every field, since mismatched names or dates are a top rejection reason
Pay by debit or credit card and wait for the email confirmation
Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services runs the eTA system directly, and using any unofficial mirror site risks a wasted fee. Bookmark the real government domain before you start.
How long does Kenya eTA processing take, and how long is it valid?
Most Kenya visa for Indians applications clear within three working days, though the portal allows submissions up to 90 days ahead of travel. Applying two weeks before departure leaves room for any follow-up requests.
Once approved, the eTA stays valid for entry within 90 days of issue. It is not a stay duration. The actual number of days you are permitted to remain in Kenya is decided by the immigration officer at your port of entry, based on your stated travel plan.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indian citizens need a visa to enter Kenya?
Yes. Every Indian passport holder, including children and infants, needs an approved Kenya eTA before departure, with no exemption for short tourist visits.
Is visa on arrival available for Indians travelling to Kenya?
No. Kenya discontinued visa on arrival, so the eTA must be approved before you fly, not applied for after landing.
How long does it take to get Kenya eTA approval?
Standard processing is around three working days. Apply at least two weeks before travel in case of delays or document queries.
How long can Indians stay in Kenya on an eTA?
The eTA allows entry within 90 days of approval. Your actual permitted stay length is set by the immigration officer when you arrive, not by the eTA itself.
Can a family apply for the Kenya eTA together?
Yes. Up to six travellers, such as a family or close group, can use the group application option, though each traveller still pays the fee individually.
What happens if you enter Kenya without an approved eTA?
You risk denied boarding at your origin airport or refused entry on arrival. Airlines are required to check for an approved eTA before check-in.
What should you do next?
Sort your Kenya visa for Indians at least two weeks before departure, since a delayed eTA can derail flights and safari dates. Travel Unbounded’s Kenya safari packages build visa guidance into the itinerary, alongside the Masai Mara game drives that make the admin worth it.
For wider East Africa options, browse the wildlife safari packages or contact the planning team before you apply.