How do I apply for the Kenya ETA?

You must apply for the Kenya ETA online through the official government portal. You will need your passport details, travel itinerary, accommodation information, and potentially a recent photograph. Apply well in advance of your trip.

How long can Irish citizens stay in Kenya with an ETA?

With an ETA, Irish citizens can typically stay in Kenya for up to 90 days. It may be possible to extend this once for an additional 90 days, subject to approval by Kenyan immigration authorities.

What are the passport requirements for Irish citizens travelling to Kenya?

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of departure from Kenya and should have at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.

Do I need a return ticket to enter Kenya?

Yes, it is generally required to have a confirmed return or onward ticket as part of your ETA application and upon arrival in Kenya to demonstrate your intention to leave the country.

Is the ETA a guaranteed entry to Kenya?

No, an approved ETA grants you permission to travel to Kenya, but the final decision on entry rests with the immigration officer at the port of entry. They may ask for proof of funds, accommodation, and your onward journey.

What if I'm transiting through Kenya?

Even if you are only transiting through Kenya, you will likely need an ETA, especially if you plan to leave the transit area or have a long layover. Always check the latest requirements on the official ETA portal.

Visa Panic· Official Dispatch

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Current DossierSubject · Irish (EU) passportFile · KENYA

Does Kenya require a visa for Irish (EU) citizens?

Straight answer, official source, and how long it takes.

ETA Req

UK US EU CA AU

Last checked 22 Jul 2026Source · Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) PortalHow we source this →

Visa Panic answer

ETA/ESTA requiredLow panic

Do Irish (EU) citizens need a visa for Kenya?

Yes, Irish (EU) citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for travel to Kenya.

Apply on the official siteKenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Portal — last checked 22 July 2026

Always confirm with the official source before you travel.

Your panic level

When are you travelling?

Add your travel date and we'll tell you exactly how much to panic, based on typical processing times.

ETA/ESTA usually approved within a few days.

Travel date

Health FileSubject · KenyaChecked · 22 Jul 2026

Vaccinations for Kenya

Book a travel clinic appointment 6–8 weeks before you fly.

Conditional

Only if arriving from a risk area

Required only if you're travelling from — or transiting through — a country with active transmission.

Yellow Fever
Certificate required if arriving from (or transiting) a country with yellow fever transmission risk.

Recommended on health grounds

Not required for entry — advised by NHS / CDC for most travellers.

Hepatitis A
Recommended — food & water borne.
Typhoid
Recommended, especially for longer stays or rural travel.
Rabies
Consider for rural travel, cyclists, and long trips.
Malaria prevention
No vaccine — antimalarials + bite avoidance recommended for risk regions.
Yellow Fever
Also recommended on health grounds for most travellers.

Official health sources

NHS Fit for Travel · Kenya ↗CDC Travelers' Health · Kenya ↗

→ Read the Yellow Fever briefing

Which countries require the certificate, timing, cost, and the 10-day validity rule.

Not medical advice. Always confirm with your GP, travel nurse, or a Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre — requirements change and can vary based on where you're arriving from.

Colour KeyCalm— no visaMedium— ETA / eVisaPanic— full visa

Deep breath. Here's the answer.

Irish citizens planning a trip to Kenya for tourism or short business will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online before their journey. This new system replaces the previous eVisa requirement. Ensure you apply well in advance of your travel date.

Key facts

For Irish (EU) passport holders, tourism or short business trips.

Passport	Irish (EU) passport
Purpose	Tourism / short business trip
Visa required	Yes — ETA/ESTA
Maximum stay	Up to 90 days, extendable once for a further 90 days
Passport validity	At least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Kenya, with at least two blank pages
Return/onward ticket	Yes, generally required
Arrival form	No specific arrival form mentioned beyond ETA application
Last checked	22 July 2026

You may need a visa if…

The ETA system is mandatory for all non-exempt visitors, including Irish citizens.
Apply for your ETA several days, or even weeks, before your travel date to allow for processing time.
Ensure all information on your ETA application matches your passport exactly.
A successful ETA application does not guarantee entry; ultimate approval rests with immigration officers upon arrival.
Different requirements may apply for other travel purposes (e.g., work, study).
Check for any health declaration forms or vaccine requirements, especially for Yellow Fever if coming from an endemic country.

Before you travel

Apply for your Kenya ETA online well in advance.
Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your departure and has two blank pages.
Book your return or onward ticket.
Have proof of accommodation for your stay.
Check if any specific health requirements (e.g., Yellow Fever vaccination) apply to your travel history.
Make copies of important documents (passport, ETA approval, flights, accommodation).

Common questions

An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is a mandatory digital travel document that all non-exempt foreign nationals, including Irish citizens, must obtain before travelling to Kenya. It replaces the previous eVisa system.

Related briefings for Kenya

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No, Irish (EU) citizens do not need a visa for tourism or short business trips to Morocco.

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Yes, Irish (EU) citizens need a visa for Egypt.

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No, Irish (EU) citizens do not need a visa for Tunisia for tourism or short business trips.

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Field Report Provenance

Human-checked

Every dossier is written from official government sources, then re-checked on 22 Jul 2026.

Auto-monitored

An hourly job re-scans official sources for changes. Anything fishy triggers a manual review.

Not legal advice

Always cross-check with the linked official source before you book. Read our methodology and disclaimer.

Official site