Published: 15 September 2026. Last reviewed: 15 September 2026. Our editorial team verified all Kenya eTA fees, processing times, and exemption tiers against the etakenya.go.ke portal and the Directorate of Immigration Services.
Kenya introduced its electronic travel authorisation on 1 January 2024, replacing the previous eVisa system. UK travellers can apply up to 90 days in advance through the etakenya.go.ke portal. Somalia operates an independent system managed by the Immigration and Citizenship Agency via etas.gov.so; fees, required documents, and validity periods for the Somalia eTA remain undisclosed as of September 2026.
For UK passport holders, an approved eTA is mandatory for both countries. Kenya’s system provides clear exemptions and multiple entry options, including a transit eTA for USD 20 (~£16) and a 5-year multi-entry option for USD 185 (~£148) available to American nationals only. Somalia’s eTA currently lists only specific exemptions, such as UN Laissez-Passer holders. UK tourists must apply for each authorisation separately.
Somalia eTA vs Kenya eTA: Side-by-Side Comparison
The most striking difference between the two systems is transparency: Kenya publishes a full fee schedule and processing timeline, whereas Somalia’s eTA discloses none of these details publicly.
| Feature | Kenya eTA | Somalia eTA |
|---|---|---|
| Managing authority | Directorate of Immigration Services | Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA Somalia) |
| Application portal | etakenya.go.ke | etas.gov.so |
| Standard fee | USD 30 (~£24) | Not publicly available |
| Transit fee | USD 20 (~£16) | Not publicly available |
| 1-Year Multi-Entry | USD 300 (~£240) | Not publicly available |
| 5-Year Multi-Entry | USD 185 (~£148) (US nationals only) | Not publicly available |
| Processing time | Within 3 working days | Not publicly available |
| Validity (standard) | 90 days, single entry | Not publicly available |
| Application window | Up to 90 days before travel | Not publicly available |
| Application deadline | At least 3 days before travel | Not publicly available |
| Required documents | Passport, photo/selfie, hotel booking, flight details | Not publicly available |
| Exemptions | EAC citizens (180 days), 90-day and 60-day exempt countries, diplomatic passport holders (fee-exempt), transit passengers | UNLP holders, multiple-entry visa holders, residence permit holders |
| Payment | Online debit card only; no cash | Not publicly available |
For regional context, Ethiopia and Rwanda operate visa-free policies for African visitors, removing the need for any electronic travel authorisation. The Somalia eTA remains a separate, independent system from the Kenya eTA, and approval of one never substitutes for the other.
How to Apply and Required Documents for Kenya and Somalia
Kenya eTA applications follow a documented online process via etakenya.go.ke. Somalia’s etas.gov.so portal provides minimal public application guidance for travellers.
Visit etakenya.go.ke and create an account
Access the etakenya.go.ke portal to start your application.
Complete the application form
Provide your personal and travel details.
Upload required documents
Include a valid passport, recent photo or selfie, hotel booking or invitation letter, and flight details.
Pay the fee
Pay USD 30 (~£24) online via debit card (cash not accepted).
Receive approval
Get your approval within 3 working days.
Third-party website submissions for the Kenya eTA are automatically denied. A mobile app, “Kenya Travel Authorisation,” saves travel documents for reuse. UK travellers flying directly from the UK do not need a yellow fever vaccination certificate, but it is required when arriving from WHO-endemic countries. Kenya eTA approval grants permission to travel but does not guarantee admissibility; immigration officers determine entry upon arrival. Travellers must present the approved eTA during check-in and boarding, and no longer need to fill out arrival forms on the plane.
The Somalia eTA portal at etas.gov.so is Cloudflare-protected and publishes no fee schedule, processing timeline, or required documents list. Given that ICA Somalia does not publish standard fees or processing times, travellers should verify current requirements by accessing etas.gov.so directly or contacting ICA Somalia before applying. Confirmed exemptions for the Somalia eTA include UN Laissez-Passer holders, multiple-entry visa holders, and residence permit holders.
Eligibility, Exemptions and the 2025 Security Waiver
UK passport holders require an eTA for both Kenya and Somalia. Kenya’s exemption structure spans three tiers: EAC citizens (Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda) may stay up to 180 days; 45+ countries including Ethiopia, Ghana and South Africa are exempt for up to 90 days; and 28 African nations such as Algeria, Nigeria and Morocco receive up to 60 days visa-free. Diplomatic passport holders on duty must still apply but are exempt from the fee. Transit passengers arriving and leaving by the same aircraft without leaving the airport are also exempt. Full eligibility details are available at etakenya.go.ke/eligibility.
The Somalia eTA, managed via etas.gov.so, confirms exemptions for United Nations Laissez-Passer holders, travellers with multiple-entry visas, and residence permit holders. Somalia’s system publishes no full eligible nationalities list or eligibility criteria.
On 22 January 2025, Kenya’s Cabinet dropped eTA requirements for nearly all African countries, explicitly excluding Somalia and Libya due to security concerns linked to al-Shabab, the jihadist militant group originating from Somalia. The directive was formally amended on 30 May 2025. Kenya had fallen to 46th out of 54 nations on the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index, dropping 17 places. UK travellers transiting through Somalia en route to Kenya must therefore hold a separate, approved Kenya eTA, as the two systems are entirely independent.
UK Traveller Support and Multi-Country Planning
UK travellers can seek Kenya eTA support at the Kenya High Commission in London. Those visiting both Kenya and Somalia must obtain separate authorisations.
45 Portland Place, Marylebone, London W1B 1AS, United KingdomThe Passport and ID Section operates Monday to Friday, 09:30 to 13:00, on an appointment-only basis. The High Commission does not issue eTAs on-site; all applications must go through etakenya.go.ke. Kenya eTA support is available via email at [email protected] and [email protected], or by phone at +254 110 922 062, +254 110 922 063, and +254 110 922 064 (WhatsApp available on the last number). An alternative contact is +254 717 436 070.
The Kenya eTA permits re-entry if the authorisation remains valid and the traveller visited other EAC countries (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, South Sudan). The Somalia eTA is an entirely separate system; approval for one country does not cover the other. For those weighing different entry options, a detailed comparison of the Somalia eTA versus visa-on-arrival may help clarify which route suits your trip.
The East African Tourist Visa (EATV), priced at USD 100 (~£80) for 90 days with multiple-entry access, is listed as “COMING SOON” on the Kenya eTA portal. Until it launches, the Somalia eTA and Kenya eTA remain independent applications.
Frequently Asked Questions: Somalia eTA vs Kenya eTA
Do children need an eTA for Kenya?
Yes, all visitors including infants must hold an approved Kenya eTA. A legal guardian, parent, or accompanying adult must submit the application. Families are recommended to apply as a group through the etakenya.go.ke portal.
Can I re-enter Kenya after visiting Uganda or Rwanda?
Yes, if your Kenya eTA remains valid and you visited another EAC country (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, South Sudan), re-entry is permitted. The Somalia eTA does not grant re-entry to Kenya.
What happens if my Kenya eTA is denied?
You will not be allowed to travel. You must reapply through etakenya.go.ke. Applications submitted through third-party websites are automatically denied. For support, contact the Kenya High Commission in London at 45 Portland Place.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Kenya?
Only if arriving from a WHO-endemic country. UK travellers flying directly from the UK do not need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Somalia eTA health requirements are not publicly available.
Is there a transit eTA for Kenya?
Yes, there is a transit Kenya eTA costing USD 20 (~£16) for travellers on a transit flight through Kenya. Transit options for the Somalia eTA are not publicly available.
Can I use my Kenya eTA to enter Somalia?
No, the two systems are entirely separate. You must apply for the Somalia eTA independently via etas.gov.so. Approval for one country does not grant entry into the other.
How much does the Kenya eTA cost for UK travellers?
The standard Kenya eTA costs USD 30 (~£24). A 1-year multi-entry costs USD 300 (~£240). A 5-year multi-entry costs USD 185 (~£148) and is available to American nationals only. The Somalia eTA fee is not publicly available; check etas.gov.so.
What is the processing time for the Kenya eTA in 2026?
The standard processing time is within 3 working days. An enhanced system with potential instant approval was reported in 2025, but the standard 3-day window should be expected. Somalia eTA processing times are not publicly available.
Are Ethiopia and Rwanda eTA systems similar to Kenya’s?
No, Ethiopia and Rwanda currently have visa-free policies for many African visitors, unlike the Kenya eTA which requires a USD 30 (~£24) fee. The Somalia eTA operates separately from all these regional systems.
