Deep breath. Here's the answer.

U.S. citizens need an electronic travel authorization (ETA) from etakenya.go.ke before travelling to Kenya. An ETA is not a visa. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after arrival with 2 blank pages. We have not confirmed a permitted stay length — check the official source. For an ordinary U.S. tourist who is not otherwise exempt and will stay less than three months, Kenya's official eCitizen portal requires separate local inbound travel health insurance, purchased before travel. Overseas travel insurance does not replace it. Confirm any claimed residence or special-status exemption with Kenyan authorities. Travellers coming from specified Ebola-impacted or elevated-risk countries also need the separate health surveillance form before disembarkation; see the route list below.

Key facts

For United States passport holders, tourism or short business trips.

You may need a visa if…

• Get your ETA at etakenya.go.ke before travel — an ETA is not a visa.
• Your passport needs 6 months' validity after arrival and 2 blank pages.
• Exercise increased caution due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, health risks, and traffic safety.
• Parts of Kenya are designated 'Do Not Travel' due to high risks.
• Emergency medical and fire services are limited, and hospitals may require payment before treatment.
• Be aware of potential requests for bribes from officials, and property disputes can turn violent.
• For an ordinary U.S. tourist who is not otherwise exempt and will stay less than three months, Kenya's official eCitizen portal requires separate local inbound travel health insurance, purchased before travel. Overseas travel insurance does not replace it. Confirm any claimed residence or special-status exemption with Kenyan authorities.
• The U.S. State Department requires travellers arriving from DRC, South Sudan, Uganda, Angola, Burundi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania or Zambia to complete an Electronic Traveler Health Surveillance Form before disembarking in Kenya. Obtain its QR/link from the airline or port of entry; temperature screening may apply. Travellers from DRC, South Sudan or Uganda should confirm current entry restrictions with their airline or the U.S. Embassy.
• The insurance portal contains contradictory refugee/stateless exemption statements. This page does not determine those cases, diplomatic/resident exceptions or longer stays; confirm with the Kenyan authorities.

Before you travel

• ✓Apply for your ETA at etakenya.go.ke before you travel.
• ✓Check your passport is valid 6 months after arrival with 2 blank pages.
• ✓Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages.
• ✓Obtain comprehensive medical evacuation insurance valid for travel to Kenya.
• ✓Consult the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information.
• ✓Prepare a plan for emergency situations and make backup plans to leave the country if necessary.
• ✓Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and entry stamp, keeping originals in a secure location.
• ✓Review the Country Security Report for Kenya for detailed risk information.
• ✓For an ordinary U.S. tourist who is not otherwise exempt and will stay less than three months, Kenya's official eCitizen portal requires separate local inbound travel health insurance, purchased before travel. Overseas travel insurance does not replace it. Confirm any claimed residence or special-status exemption with Kenyan authorities.
• ✓The U.S. State Department requires travellers arriving from DRC, South Sudan, Uganda, Angola, Burundi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania or Zambia to complete an Electronic Traveler Health Surveillance Form before disembarking in Kenya. Obtain its QR/link from the airline or port of entry; temperature screening may apply. Travellers from DRC, South Sudan or Uganda should confirm current entry restrictions with their airline or the U.S. Embassy.

Common questions