Kenya ETA vs. Old eVisa: The Definitive 2026 Transition Guide

The year 2024 marked a "tectonic shift" in how the world enters Kenya. After decades of traditional paper visas and a successful decade-long run of the eVisa system, the Kenyan government took a bold step: they abolished visas entirely. However, as many travelers discovered at the boarding gate, "Visa-Free" does not mean "Document-Free."

1. The Death of the Sticker: Why the Change?

For years, the "Kenya Visa" was a source of both pride and frustration. Travelers loved the physical sticker in their passports—a badge of honor from their African adventures. But for the Kenyan government, the system was aging.

The move to a "Visa-Free" status was intended to position Kenya as a global leader in tourism and open-border diplomacy. By replacing the eVisa with a semi-automated Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), Kenya has shifted the burden of security screening from the arrival hall to the pre-departure phase.

“In the 2026 ETA system, the authorization is a 'security clearance.' It tells the airline and the Kenyan border authorities that you have been pre-vetted against global security databases before you ever board your flight.”

2. Key Differences: Old eVisa vs. 2026 ETA

Many travelers make the mistake of using old blogs or outdated government PDF forms. Here is the side-by-side reality of travel in 2026.

The "Everyone" Rule

Under the old system, children under 16 from many countries were exempt. That is no longer true. In 2026, the rule is simple: if you have a passport, you need an ETA. This includes infants and newborn babies.

3. The Application Process: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Applying for a Kenya ETA in 2026 is a highly visual process. The system relies heavily on OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to read your passport.

The standard government processing fee is $30 USD, but keep in mind that bank "convenience fees" and processing charges often bring the total closer to $34-$35.

4. The "EAC Loophole": Traveling to Neighboring Countries

A common question for 2026 travelers is: "If I go to Tanzania for a three-day safari and come back to Kenya, do I need a second ETA?"

The Answer: No, provided you stay within the East African Community (EAC). If you visit Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, or Tanzania, your single-entry ETA remains valid for your return to Kenya, provided your initial 90-day window hasn't expired.

5. Common Pitfalls and Why Rejections Happen

Avoiding these errors will save you from a stressful "Denied Boarding" situation at the airport.

The "Typo" Trap

The ETA system is automated. If your passport says "Jonathon" but you type "Jonathan," the system may approve the ETA, but the airline's check-in system will flag the mismatch. In 2026, airline agents are instructed to be "zero-tolerance" on name mismatches.

Yellow Fever Requirements

While the ETA focuses on security, health requirements haven't changed. If you are arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic country, you must have your "Yellow Book" ready. The ETA application will often ask you to upload this if your itinerary shows a stop in a high-risk zone.

6. How Our Assistance Service Simplifies Your 2026 Journey

The new digital portal is an improvement, but it is not perfect. Server timeouts and cryptic rejection emails are still common.

7. Final Checklist Before You Fly

Kenya remains one of the most beautiful and welcoming destinations on earth. By mastering the ETA system now, you ensure that your only focus upon landing is the incredible sunrise over the savannah.