The East Africa Tourist Visa costs USD 101 and covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for 90 days from issuance with multiple entries. UK passport holders must complete the East Africa visa apply Kenya process through the Kenyan eCitizen portal, designating Kenya as the first point of entry.
Standard processing takes approximately 3 business days (per the general Kenya eTA timeline; EATV-specific lead time is unconfirmed in any source); apply at least two weeks before departure, up to 90 days in advance. The EATV fee is non-refundable and processed in US dollars via Visa or Mastercard.
Please note: this is a non-official travel information portal, not a government or embassy website. Always verify current requirements on the external government portal etakenya.go.ke before submitting your application. Last updated: 9 September 2026.
What Is the East Africa Tourist Visa and Do You Need It?
The East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) is a joint tourist visa covering Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Under the issuing country rule, you must physically land in the country through which you applied – so via the Kenyan portal, Kenya is your first point of entry. The EATV is non-renewable and cannot be extended within country or upon exit. Multiple entry applies strictly within the Kenya-Uganda-Rwanda tripartite zone; entering Tanzania immediately voids the visa, as Tanzania is not part of the EATV scheme.
| Your Itinerary | Recommended Visa | Application Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya only | Kenya eTA | etakenya.go.ke |
| Kenya + Uganda and/or Rwanda | East Africa Tourist Visa | ecitizen.go.ke |
| Kenya + Uganda/Rwanda + Tanzania | EATV + separate Tanzania visa (USD 50) | ecitizen.go.ke + visa.immigration.go.tz |
EATV vs Kenya eTA: Which Do You Need?
The EATV covers three countries under a single application, whereas the Kenya electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is valid for Kenya alone. If your itinerary includes Uganda or Rwanda, the EATV is the appropriate document. Visa on arrival has been discontinued since January 2024, so all UK travellers must obtain either the eTA or the EATV online before departure.
Required Documents and Fees for the East Africa Tourist Visa (2026)
The EATV application costs USD 101 (USD 100 statutory fee plus USD 1 convenience surcharge); attach the documents below to the form.
- Visa fee: USD 101 total, non-refundable, payable by Visa or Mastercard in USD
- Passport bio-data page: colour scan at ≥300 DPI; passport valid at least 6 months beyond travel date with at least 1 blank page
- Digital passport photo: 35×45mm, JPEG format, white background, taken within the last 6 months
- Flight itinerary: round-trip booking with applicant’s name
- Proof of accommodation: hotel reservations in applicant’s name
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate: mandatory for entry; recommended from age 9 months
- Travel health insurance proof: required from August 2026; minimum USD 50,000 cumulative coverage
- Health Declaration Form: mandatory; submitted within 72 hours prior to flight; QR code verification
Document Upload Specifications
The EATV application requires passport scans as colour PDFs (≤1 MB, ≥300 DPI) and photos as JPEGs (35×45mm, white background). Common upload errors stem from file sizes exceeding 1 MB or photos with non-white backgrounds. In the “Visa Sub Category” dropdown, look for the exact label “East Africa Tourist Visa” – selecting “Kenya eTA” instead is a frequent mistake that leads to rejection.
How to Pay on the Kenyan eCitizen Portal
Payment is processed in US dollars via Visa or Mastercard only; UK applicants should expect their bank’s GBP-to-USD conversion rate, with no portal option to pay in GBP. The fee is non-refundable. Applying directly via eCitizen costs USD 101; third-party agencies such as VisaHQ charge approximately USD 94 total (USD 35 embassy fee plus USD 59 service fee) but offer no faster processing.
New Mandatory Travel Health Insurance (August 2026)
From August 2026, all non-Kenyan visitors staying under 12 months must hold travel health insurance with minimum USD 50,000 cumulative coverage. Existing foreign policies meeting this threshold are accepted. Proof is expected to be required as part of the EATV application on the eCitizen portal. Verify at etakenya.go.ke before applying.
East Africa Visa Apply Kenya: Step-by-Step Guide on the eCitizen Portal
Complete the EATV application on ecitizen.go.ke in one session – from account registration to approval letter download.
Navigate to ecitizen.go.ke
Type the URL directly to avoid phishing sites imitating the portal.
Create an eCitizen account
Enter your email address and phone number, then verify both via one-time passcode.
Log in and select Immigration Services → Visa Application
In the “Visa Sub Category” dropdown, choose “East Africa Tourist Visa” specifically; selecting any other category invalidates the multi-country permission.
Complete the form fields
Enter personal details, passport bio-data page information, travel dates, and explicitly set Kenya as your first point of entry in the designated text field.
Upload documents
Passport scan (colour PDF, ≥300 DPI), digital photo (JPEG, 35×45 mm, white background), and travel itinerary.
Accept the disclaimer and pay USD 101
Visa or Mastercard only, processed in USD; the fee is non-refundable.
Receive your six-digit reference number
Example format: 234790123, for tracking your application.
Download the approval letter
The EATV approval letter is emailed and posted to your dashboard within approximately 3 business days.
How to Verify Your Visa Status After Submitting
Check your EATV application status through the eCitizen dashboard using your six-digit reference number. You can also use the “Validate eTA” tool on etakenya.go.ke. For support, contact the Kenya eTA helpdesk via WhatsApp at +254 110 922 064 or phone at +254 717 436 070. UK applicants seeking in-person assistance can contact the Kenya High Commission, 45 Portland Place, Marylebone, London W1B 1AS (open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00).
Arriving in Kenya and Validity Rules to Remember
At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), EATV holders must follow the “Visa Holders” signs, present a printed approval letter and passport at the immigration counter, and complete biometric capture before entry is stamped. Per the Ugandan Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, validity is 90 days from issuance (not arrival); the EATV is non-renewable and confined to the tripartite zone. Border officers may request proof of sufficient funds, though no published minimum threshold exists.
What If Your Flight Diverts to Uganda or Rwanda?
If your flight lands in Uganda or Rwanda before Kenya, your Kenya-issued EATV may not be recognised at the border. Carry a backup Uganda eTA (USD 50 via visas.immigration.go.ug) as a contingency.
Tips for Faster Clearance at JKIA
Print your EATV approval letter before travel – do not rely on a phone screenshot alone. Use the “Visa Holders” queue rather than e-gates, and have your accommodation proof and return ticket readily accessible.
FAQ: East Africa Visa Apply Kenya – Eligibility, Cost, and Coverage
How much does the East Africa Tourist Visa cost in 2026?
The EATV costs USD 101 on the Kenyan eCitizen portal (USD 100 statutory fee plus USD 1 convenience surcharge). This fee is non-refundable. Payment is processed in US dollars via Visa or Mastercard.
How long is the East Africa Tourist Visa valid for?
The EATV is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance, not from the date of arrival. It allows multiple entries within Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda only. The visa is non-renewable and cannot be extended.
Can I use the EATV to visit Tanzania?
No. Tanzania is outside the EATV zone; entering it voids the visa. A separate Tanzanian visa costs ~USD 50 via visa.immigration.go.tz.
Do UK citizens need travel health insurance for Kenya in 2026?
Yes. From August 2026, all non-Kenyan visitors staying under 12 months must hold travel health insurance with a minimum of USD 50,000 cumulative coverage. Existing foreign insurance policies are accepted if they meet the minimum threshold.
FAQ: Application Process, Timing, and Troubleshooting
How long does it take to process the EATV?
Standard processing takes approximately 3 business days (per the general Kenya eTA timeline; EATV-specific lead time is unconfirmed). UK travellers should apply at least 2 weeks before departure, though applications can be submitted up to 90 days in advance. The latest submission deadline is 72 hours before travel.
Do children need a separate East Africa Tourist Visa?
Yes. Every traveller, including infants, requires a separate EATV application. Parents or guardians can submit the application on a minor’s behalf using their own eCitizen account. There is no bulk application feature on the portal; each passport holder applies individually.
What if my EATV application is rejected?
EATV denials are final with no appeal process, and the fee is non-refundable. You can either reapply with corrected documents (paying a new USD 101 fee) or apply for individual national eTAs separately: a Kenya eTA (~USD 30), a Uganda eTA (~USD 50), and a Rwanda eTA (~USD 50) through their respective immigration portals.
What happens if my flight is diverted to Uganda first?
If you land in Uganda before Kenya, your Kenya-issued EATV may not be recognised because Kenya must be your first point of entry. Carry a backup Uganda eTA as a contingency, obtainable through the Uganda immigration portal at visas.immigration.go.ug.
