Kenya eTA Application from Dubai: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

The first step is creating an account on the official Kenya eTA portal. This account will be used to submit, track, and manage your application.

1. 1Go to etakenya.go.ke — this is the only official portal. Do not use third-party websites that may charge additional fees.
2. 2Click "Register" or "Create Account" on the homepage.
3. 3Enter your email address, create a password, and fill in basic personal details.
4. 4Verify your email address by clicking the confirmation link sent to your inbox.
5. 5Log in to your new account. You can now start the eTA application.

The application form collects your personal information, passport details, travel plans, and employment information. Take your time to fill it accurately — mistakes can cause delays or rejection.

The eTA portal requires digital uploads of your passport and photograph. File specifications must be followed precisely to avoid automatic rejection of your uploads.

• Scan your passport bio page in colour at 300 DPI for the best result. Ensure all text and the photo are clearly visible.
• Your passport photograph should be recent (taken within the last 6 months), with a white background and neutral expression.
• Do not crop the passport scan — the full page should be visible including the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) at the bottom.
• If the portal rejects your upload, try converting to JPEG format and reducing file size to under 300 KB.

The final step is payment and submission. The Kenya eTA fee is USD 30 for all nationalities, paid online by credit or debit card.

1. 1Review your entire application carefully before proceeding to payment. Check every detail against your passport.
2. 2Select your payment method — Visa or Mastercard credit/debit cards are accepted.
3. 3Enter your card details and complete the payment of USD 30 (~AED 110).
4. 4Once payment is confirmed, submit the application. You will receive a confirmation email with your application reference number.
5. 5Note down or screenshot the reference number — this is used to track your application status.
6. 6The fee is non-refundable even if the eTA is rejected or you cancel your travel plans.

After submission, log into your account periodically to check the application status. Most eTAs are approved within 72 hours, though it can take up to 7 working days. The approved eTA will be sent to your registered email address as a downloadable PDF.

The Kenya eTA is straightforward, but certain errors can cause delays or rejection. Here are the most common mistakes OraVisa sees from Dubai applicants.

• Using third-party websites instead of the official etakenya.go.ke portal — these sites charge USD 50-100+ for the same USD 30 application.
• Passport number errors — transposing digits or confusing letters with numbers (O vs 0, I vs 1) is the most common cause of eTA issues at the airport.
• Name discrepancies — your name on the eTA must match your passport exactly, including middle names and suffixes.
• Blurry or dark document scans — the portal's automated system may reject low-quality uploads, requiring you to resubmit.
• Applying too late — while most eTAs are processed quickly, applying the day before travel is risky. Apply at least 1-2 weeks in advance.
• Forgetting the eTA when travelling — print the approval or save the PDF on your phone. Airlines check for it at check-in.

OraVisa offers a convenient eTA application service for Dubai residents. We handle the online application, document formatting, and follow-up, ensuring your eTA is approved without errors.