High commission
British High Commission, Nairobi
Nairobi
Kenya visa requirements for British citizens
British citizens need an eTA, a short online form, before flying to Kenya.
Passport
GBR
United Kingdom
Going to
KEN
Kenya
eTA needed
An eTA lets tourists and other short-term visitors travel to Kenya.
- Visa
- eTA
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Valid for
- 90 days
- Fee
- US$30
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Special rules for British citizens in Kenya
- Visitors can also be entered on an East Africa tourist visa issued by Rwanda or Uganda.
What to do
Apply for the eTA on Kenya's official government website, never a reseller.
Apply before you book non-refundable travel; most approvals come back quickly.
The eTA links to your passport number, so travel on the same passport.
Get your Kenya visa sorted
A visa expert checks the rules and helps you apply. No payment now.
Ways into Kenya
Apply online unless exempt. Border staff decide your stay.
eTA requiredSingle-entry travel approvalAn eTA lets tourists and other short-term visitors travel to Kenya.
- Valid for
- 90 days
- Fee
- US$30
- Processing
- 3 days
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Check whether you need an eTA.
- Apply on the official eTA website and upload documents.
- Pay and buy required Kenyan insurance unless exempt.
- Wait for approval before travel.
- Save or print your approved eTA.
Documents required
- Passport valid 180 days after arrival
- At least 1 blank passport page
- Selfie or passport photo
- Email and phone number
- Arrival and departure travel plans
- Place-to-stay booking
- Payment method
- Hotel booking
- Processing usually takes 3 working days; allow at least 14 days before travel.
- Border staff decide entry and stay length; each traveller, including children, needs separate approval.
eTA required365-day repeat travel approvalThis eTA allows repeated trips during its 365-day validity.
- Valid for
- 365 days
- Fee
- US$300
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Check eligibility for repeated trips on the eTA website.
- Complete the form and upload documents.
- Pay and buy required Kenyan insurance unless exempt.
- Wait for approval before travel.
Documents required
- Passport valid 180 days after arrival
- At least 1 blank passport page
- Selfie or passport photo
- Contact details
- Travel plans
- Place-to-stay booking
- Hotel booking
- Validity does not mean you can stay for 365 days.
- The website gives no maximum stay per visit or full list of eligible travellers.
Sources (38)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Directorate of Immigration Services
- Directorate: Electronic Travel Authorisation
- Official Kenya eTA portal
- eTA types, eligibility and fees
- eTA exemptions and required documents
- eTA general information and exemptions
- eTA frequently asked questions
- Kenya Embassy Washington: Electronic Travel Authorization
- Kenya Embassy Washington: replacement of e-visa by eTA
- Kenya High Commission London: eTA and exemptions
- Kenya High Commission New Delhi: official eTA and permit links
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Foreign Nationals; no substantive visa guidance was displayed
- Kenya Embassy Berlin: mandatory inbound travel health insurance, 4 November 2026
- Work permits and passes: online applications and endorsement
- Class A requirements and fees
- Student’s Pass
- Internship/Research Pass
- Special Pass
- Dependant’s Pass
- Class D employment permit
- Class G business permit
- Class K ordinary residence
- eFNS student, internship and research information pack
- eFNS Special Pass information pack
- eFNS Dependant Pass information pack
- Official permit-class index
- Class A prospecting and mining
- Class B agriculture and animal husbandry
- Class C prescribed profession
- Class F manufacturing
- Class G trade, business or consultancy
- Class I religious activities
- Class K ordinary residence
- Class M refugees
- Class N digital nomads
- Class P staff posted to neighbouring hardship countries
- Class Q professionals in religious or charitable organisations
- Class R East African Community nationals
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Trips to Kenya
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Coming from United Kingdom
- Plugs GAdapter for some
- MoneyKES Sh
- Time+11h
- DrivingOn the leftSame as home
- LanguageEnglishSpoken at home too
- Emergency112 or 999 or 911 police
Planning your Kenya trip
Best time to go: Wildlife viewing is best from mid-June to October and late December to mid-March, during the dry seasons. Long rains fall from April to June, and short rains from October to December.
- Wildlife reservesKenya's reserves are known for lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, wildebeest and buffaloes.
- Maasai Mara migrationLarge herds of wildebeest migrate between the Maasai Mara and Serengeti. Book months ahead because demand is high and lodging is limited.
- Coast and beachesDiani Beach is a major beach destination. Lamu and Malindi are other coastal towns worth visiting.
- Rift Valley and lakesThe Rift Valley offers dramatic scenery, while Lake Naivasha is known for bird life.
Scams to watch for in Kenya
- Pickpocketing in crowds and on busesThieves take money, phones or wallets from pockets and bags. In Nairobi, they may watch people withdrawing cash before targeting them.
- Higher souvenir prices for visitorsSellers often start with a much higher price for foreigners. Asking in English can also lead to a higher quote. Prices at Akamba Handicraft are higher in the tourist hall than on the wholesale side.
- Inflated taxi and local transport faresDrivers quote visitors inflated fares. This can affect taxis, tuk-tuks, boda-bodas and matatus. Without agreeing a fare first, it is harder to challenge the price.
About Kenya
Kenya is an East African republic on the Indian Ocean, crossed by the equator and Rift Valley.
- Capital
- Nairobi
- Money
- Kenyan shilling (Sh)
- Languages
- English, Swahili
- Time zone
- UTC+03:00
- Cars drive on the
- left side
- Calling code
- +254
Other Europe passports
Going to Kenya
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Kenya with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Are there special rules for British citizens visiting Kenya?
Do british citizens need a visa for Kenya?
British citizens need an eTA, a short online form, before flying to Kenya.
How long can british citizens stay in Kenya?
Up to 90 days each visit with the eta needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Where do I apply online for Kenya?
Only on Kenya's official government website. Avoid agents and look-alike sites that add fees. Apply before you book anything you can't cancel.
Do kenyan citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?
Kenyan citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Europe passports get easier entry to Kenya?
Cyprus, San Marino, Albania, Andorra Austria, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Kenya are easier for british citizens?
Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles Zambia, and 3 more let british citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Kenya?
Apply for the eTA on Kenya's official government website, never a reseller. Apply before you book non-refundable travel; most approvals come back quickly.
What money is used in Kenya?
Kenyan shilling (Sh). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Kenya?
English and Swahili.
How strong is the United Kingdom passport?
It ranks #7 and reaches 155 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck