Kenya eTA for Pakistanis: US$30 Fee, Documents and 8 Steps to Apply Online From Pakistan
Kenya eTA for Pakistanis: US$30 single entry, US$20 transit, US$300 for a year. Documents, 8 online steps, 3 day wait, status check and who is exempt.
Pakistanis need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before they fly to Kenya. Apply only on the official site, etakenya.go.ke, or the official "Kenya Travel Authorisation" app. A standard single-entry eTA costs US$30, a transit eTA US$20 and a one year multiple-entry eTA US$300. A decision usually comes within 3 working days, and an expedited option costs US$100 more.
Pakistan is not on Kenya's list of exempt countries, so every Pakistani passport holder needs an approved eTA, including babies and children. The eTA is not a visa stamp. It is permission to travel, and the immigration officer at the Kenyan airport still decides on entry.
Kenya eTA fees for Pakistanis
Kenya's Directorate of Immigration Services lists these eTA types and fees on its eligibility page. Pay online by credit or debit card. The fee is per person.
| eTA type | What it allows | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Transit eTA | Transit through Kenya on the way to another country | US$20 |
| Standard eTA | One entry into Kenya | US$30 |
| One Year Multi-Entry eTA | Many entries over one year | US$300 |
| Expedited processing | Immediate processing, on top of the eTA fee | US$100 extra |
A five year multi-entry eTA at US$185 is listed for American nationals only, so it does not apply to a Pakistani passport. An East African Tourist eTA is marked "coming soon".
Your card bank may add its own charge for a payment in US dollars. Check with your bank before you pay. Our guide to foreign currency limits when travelling from Pakistan covers how much cash you can carry out of the country.
Documents you need for the Kenya eTA
Keep these ready before you open the form. The application asks for them online.
- A Pakistani passport valid for at least 6 months, with at least one blank page
- A selfie or a passport-type photo
- Your email address and phone number
- Your travel itinerary, with arrival and departure dates
- A hotel or accommodation booking confirmation
- A credit or debit card for payment
Extra papers depend on why you are going:
| Purpose | Extra document |
|---|---|
| Business | Invitation letter from the company and a copy of its registration |
| Family visit | Invitation letter from the host, plus the host's ID, passport, alien card or entry permit |
| Medical treatment | Referral letter from the hospital |
| Conference | Invitation or participation letter |
| Employment | Contract document |
Some travellers are also asked for vaccination or test certificates. Pakistan has its own rule for people leaving the country: see our guide to the polio vaccination certificate before travel from Pakistan.
How to apply for the Kenya eTA from Pakistan
- Go to etakenya.go.ke, or install the official "Kenya Travel Authorisation" app.
- Click "Apply Now". If several people are travelling together, choose "Apply as a Group". Each person still needs their own eTA.
- Enter your passport details exactly as they appear on the passport, then your travel dates, accommodation and contact details.
- Upload your photo and any extra documents for your purpose of travel.
- Check every field, then submit and pay by card.
- Wait for two emails: one confirming the application and one confirming payment.
- When the decision arrives, download the PDF from the approval email, or save it in the app.
- Show the approved eTA at check-in in Pakistan and on arrival in Kenya.
You may apply for someone else, such as a parent or child. Tick the option that you are applying on their behalf when you finish the form.
Kenya eTA processing time and when to apply
Kenya's immigration department says applications are usually processed within 3 working days, or 72 hours, and can take longer when extra checks are needed. It advises applying at least 2 weeks before you travel. Expedited processing, at US$100 extra, is processed immediately.
Do not travel until you have the approval email. Kenya says you may travel only after the Government of Kenya approves the application. Airlines check this at the counter, so a pending eTA can mean a missed flight. Read our guide to checking a foreign visa before flying from Pakistan to see what FIA immigration looks at on departure.
Check your Kenya eTA status
Open etakenya.go.ke and click "Check Status". Enter the reference number from the email you got after applying. The same page shows whether the eTA is approved, still in process or refused.
If the application is refused, Kenya says you cannot travel for the moment and should email the eTA support desk to report your situation and ask for details. The portal also lists a WhatsApp line, +254 110 922 064, and a phone number, +254 717 436 070.
Use only the official site. Search results often show lookalike agent sites that charge more for the same form. Our guide on spotting fake embassy listings shows how to check a site is real.
Who does not need a Kenya eTA
The exemptions under Kenya's Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules 2025 cover a short list of groups. The ones most likely to matter to a Pakistani reader are:
- Holders of Kenyan permanent residence or a valid Kenyan work permit or pass
- People whose passport carries a valid Kenyan re-entry pass
- Passengers in transit who stay inside the airport and leave on the same or a connecting flight
- Airline and ship crew on the crew list
Pakistani ordinary passports are not on the visa-free country lists. If you are transiting through Nairobi and will pass through immigration, for example to change airports or stay overnight, buy the US$20 transit eTA.
Pakistanis already living in Kenya can find passport services at the High Commission in our guide to Pakistani passport renewal in Kenya.
Common questions
Do Pakistanis need a visa for Kenya?
Pakistanis need an approved Kenya eTA before travel. It replaced the old visa for most visitors and is applied for online.
How much is the Kenya eTA for Pakistanis?
US$30 for a standard single entry, US$20 for transit and US$300 for one year of multiple entries. Expedited processing costs US$100 extra.
How long does the Kenya eTA take?
Usually 3 working days. Apply at least 2 weeks before your flight to be safe.
Does my child need a separate Kenya eTA?
Yes. Every traveller, including infants and children, needs their own approved eTA.
Can I enter Kenya with an approved eTA for sure?
No. The eTA lets you travel, but the immigration officer at the port of entry makes the final decision.
How do I check my Kenya eTA status?
Click "Check Status" on etakenya.go.ke and enter the reference number sent to your email.
How we verified this
What we checked and where we read it.
Last checked 14 November 2026. Fees, eTA types and the five year rule are from the Kenya eTA eligibility page. Documents, exemptions and processing advice are from its General Information and How to Apply pages, and the application steps, status check and refusal advice from its FAQs, all run by Kenya's Directorate of Immigration Services. The portal showed planned maintenance on Saturday 14 November 2026 from 22:00 to 05:00 East Africa Time.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
