Visa Requirements
Do American citizens need a visa for Kenya?
Official Requirement
eTA required
for United States citizens travelling to Kenya
All visitors, including infants and children, are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to Kenya. Applications must be submitted through the official ETA portal and are typically processed within three working days. It is recommended to apply at least two weeks before departure.
Checked 8 September 2026
We are not a government authority. Requirements change without notice. Always verify with the official consulate link before travel.
Masai Mara
The short answer
American citizens need an approved electronic travel authorisation to enter Kenya. An electronic travel authorisation has to be approved before boarding for Kenya. On arrival: an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation is required before the start of the journey, for all visitors including infants and children. Conditions: exemptions are set out in the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules 2025 and cover holders of Kenyan permanent residence, valid work permits and passes, re-entry passes, and a named list of nationalities. Passengers in transit who do not leave the airport precincts, and crew listed on a manifest, are also exempt. This covers tourist and short business visits only, not work, study or residence, and a border officer makes the final decision on entry in every case. This was last checked on 8 September 2026.
At a glance
Key facts for American citizens visiting Kenya
- Requirement
- eTA required
- On arrival
- An approved Electronic Travel Authorisation is required before the start of the journey, for all visitors including infants and children.
- Conditions
- Exemptions are set out in the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules 2025 and cover holders of Kenyan permanent residence, valid work permits and passes, re-entry passes, and a named list of nationalities. Passengers in transit who do not leave the airport precincts, and crew listed on a manifest, are also exempt.
- Official source
- Official source for this route →
Step by step
How American citizens enter Kenya
Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation before your journey starts. Immigration requires an approved one from every visitor, including infants and children.
Apply for each traveller separately. There is no family or group exemption from the requirement.
Check the exemption list first if you hold Kenyan permanent residence, a valid work permit or pass, or a re-entry pass.
Do not rely on transit being exempt unless you stay inside the airport precincts and leave on the same or a connecting aircraft.
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Avoid Some Regions
UK FCDO: Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Updated 2026-02-19
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Apply for your Kenya eVisa
Official eVisa application — processed in minutes with instant confirmation.
Questions
What American citizens ask about entering Kenya
Not a visa, but American citizens do need an approved electronic travel authorisation before boarding a flight to Kenya. This was last checked on 8 September 2026.
Through the official application page linked on this page. Yoogo does not process applications and takes no fee for them.
A passport valid for the trip, proof of onward or return travel, and proof of where you are staying. Officers can ask for evidence that you can support yourself for the visit. Entry is always the officer's decision, whatever the paperwork says.
Kenya uses KES. Check the rate before you exchange anything at the airport, where the spread is usually widest.
Safety is a judgement your own government makes, not Yoogo. This page links the official travel advice for your passport; read it before booking, because advice can change faster than entry rules.
Changes to this route
No changes recorded since the first check on 8 September 2026.
Full change history for this route →