Kenya Visa for New Zealander Citizens in 2026: eTA Guide

Quick answer: New Zealander citizens travelling to Kenya on ordinary New Zealand passports should obtain a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before starting their journey. The official Kenyan eTA guidance says applications are usually processed in three working days, although processing can take longer and applications should ideally be submitted at least two weeks before travel. Confirm the current government fee on the official portal before paying.

Kenya's eTA system replaced the previous online visa process for most visitors. An approved eTA authorises travel to Kenya, but it does not guarantee admission: Kenyan immigration officials make the final decision at the border. This guide covers the Kenya visa requirements for New Zealander citizens planning a holiday, safari, business visit or transit in 2026.

Last checked July 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

Do New Zealander citizens need a visa for Kenya?

For most New Zealand passport holders, the relevant document is a Kenya eTA rather than a traditional visa. Kenya's official eTA information says all visitors, including infants and children, must have an approved eTA before beginning their journey unless they fall within a listed exemption. New Zealand ordinary passport holders are not identified in the official exemption information supplied for this guide, so travellers should apply for an eTA before departure.

The eTA requirement applies according to the passport and circumstances of the traveller, not simply the country from which the flight departs. A New Zealander citizen using another passport, a diplomatic or service passport, a refugee travel document or an emergency travel document should check eligibility directly with Kenyan Immigration before applying.

Kenya eTA at a glance for New Zealanders

Question	Answer
Do New Zealand passport holders need advance permission?	Yes. Most visitors need an approved eTA before starting their journey.
Which document is normally required?	A Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation for the intended visit.
Where should you apply?	Through Kenya's official eTA portal: etakenya.go.ke.
How long does processing usually take?	Usually three working days, but applications may take longer.
When should you apply?	The official guidance recommends applying at least two weeks before travel.
How much does it cost?	Confirm the current fee on the official portal. Do not rely on older visa-fee tables.
How long is the authorisation usable?	The official embassy guidance says the eTA is valid for travel within 90 days from issuance.

Kenya visa types and who needs one

Kenya's older immigration information describes single-journey, transit, diplomatic and courtesy or official visas, with historical fees for some categories. However, Kenya now operates an eTA system for most visitors. For a New Zealand holiday or safari, start with the official eTA application rather than an old eVisa or visa-on-arrival page.

Tourism and safari travel

A New Zealander travelling for a safari, beach holiday, sightseeing or a combination such as Kenya and Zanzibar should review the tourist eTA application. The eTA application collects biographic information and answers to eligibility questions; the portal determines the information and supporting material required for the application.

If you are still planning your itinerary, compare safari packages on SafariFind after checking your entry documentation. Seasonal planning can also affect your route: our guide to the best time for a Kenya safari in 2026 explains how travel months can influence a Maasai Mara or wider Kenya itinerary.

Business, family and official travel

Business and family visits may require additional information. Kenya's official eTA guidance lists an invitation letter from the host and the host's identification or immigration document for family visits. Diplomatic travel requires the relevant diplomatic, official or service passport and an official letter from the country of origin or organisation.

Children and infants

Children and infants who intend to travel to Kenya are included in the official requirement for visitors to hold an approved eTA before the journey, unless an exemption applies. Parents or guardians should complete a separate application for each traveller and check the portal's current instructions before submitting family applications.

How to apply for a Kenya eTA: step by step

1. Use the official Kenya portal

Apply through Kenya's official eTA website, etakenya.go.ke. Avoid confusing third-party agencies with the government portal. A third-party service may add its own service charge, while the official portal is the source for the government application, payment and decision.

2. Select the correct travel purpose

Enter the purpose that matches your journey, such as tourism, business, family visit or diplomatic travel. The application collects biographic details and eligibility answers, so names, passport numbers, dates and nationality should match the passport you will use to travel.

3. Prepare the requested information and documents

Have your current passport and travel details available before beginning. The application may request evidence connected with your purpose of travel; for example, the official guidance identifies an invitation letter and host identification for family visits, and an official letter for diplomatic travel. A non-government checklist also identifies passport information, a passport-style photograph, return or onward travel, accommodation confirmation and flight details as commonly requested items, but the official portal's live instructions take precedence.

• Use the passport you will present at check-in and at Kenyan immigration.
• Enter your biographic details exactly as they appear in that passport.
• Keep accommodation, flight and onward-travel information accessible if the portal asks for it.
• For a family visit, prepare the host invitation and host identification listed by Kenya's official guidance.
• For official or diplomatic travel, prepare the relevant passport and official letter.

4. Upload photographs or files as instructed

Follow the portal's current file, photograph and document specifications. Requirements can change, and the research available for this article does not establish a single official image size or file format. Do not assume that a photograph accepted by a previous visa system will meet the current eTA rules.

5. Review, submit and pay

Check every field before submission, especially your passport number, nationality, date of birth, arrival date and email address. Pay through the method offered by the official portal and save the application reference, payment confirmation and email receipt.

6. Wait for the decision and carry the approval

If approved, save the eTA approval electronically and carry a printed copy as a backup. The Kenyan embassy guidance says the eTA should be obtained before the journey and that it is valid for travel within 90 days from issuance. Airlines may check the authorisation before boarding, so do not assume that a pending application is sufficient.

Kenya eTA fees and payment

Confirm the current eTA fee on the official Kenyan portal immediately before applying. The research includes an older Kenyan immigration fee table listing a US$51 single-entry visa and a US$21 transit visa, while a separate non-government website lists different eTA amounts. These figures should not be treated as the current price for a New Zealand applicant because they refer to different systems or sources.

The safest approach is to use the amount displayed at official checkout, check whether any payment or administrative charge is shown, and retain the receipt. Do not pay an unofficial website simply because it appears in a search result. If your bank declines an international online payment, resolve the payment issue through your bank or the official portal's support channel rather than submitting repeated applications without checking whether the first payment succeeded.

Processing time, validity and length of stay

Kenya's official eTA guidance says applications are usually processed in three working days, but some take longer. It recommends applying at least two weeks before travel to allow time for delays or follow-up questions. This is a typical timeframe, not a guaranteed approval deadline.

The official Kenyan embassy guidance says an eTA is valid for travel within 90 days from the date of issuance. That is the period in which the traveller can use the authorisation to travel; it is not necessarily a promise that every visitor may remain in Kenya for 90 days. The duration of stay is determined at the point of entry by Kenyan immigration officials.

Check the approval carefully for the traveller's name, passport details and travel conditions. If your passport changes after approval, contact Kenyan Immigration or consult the official portal before travelling rather than assuming the authorisation transfers automatically.

On arrival: what Kenyan immigration checks

At departure, the airline may check your passport and approved eTA. On arrival, present the same passport used in the application and be ready to show the eTA approval and information about your trip if requested. Kenyan immigration decides the duration of stay at entry and retains authority over admission.

Approval is not a substitute for meeting ordinary entry requirements. New Zealand's SafeTravel guidance notes that a visa or travel authorisation does not guarantee entry because the destination country's immigration officials make that decision. It also advises travellers to check passport validity carefully because some countries require at least six months' validity beyond the planned departure date. Confirm Kenya's current passport-validity rule on the official Kenyan portal before flying.

Health documentation can also depend on your itinerary. The available Kenya eTA guidance identifies eligibility and travel information, while the research indicates that a yellow fever certificate may be relevant when arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country. Because requirements depend on previous travel and transit points, check current Kenyan health instructions and consider the broader guidance in our article on Kenya vaccinations and entry health rules; that article is written for Norwegian travellers, so apply only the general planning principles to a New Zealand itinerary.

Transit, extensions and overstays

Airside transit

Kenya's immigration information states that passengers transiting through Kenya can be exempt from visa formalities when they arrive and depart on the same aircraft or transfer to another aircraft without leaving the international transit lounge at a Kenyan international airport. If you pass immigration, collect baggage, change airports, stay overnight landside or otherwise leave the transit area, check whether an eTA is required for your circumstances.

Extensions and overstays

The research does not establish a current official extension procedure, extension fee or overstay penalty for eTA visitors. Do not remain beyond the period granted at entry. If you need more time, contact Kenya's Department of Immigration Services before your authorised stay expires and follow its written instructions; confirm any current fee or deadline on the official government channel.

Common Kenya eTA mistakes and refusals

• Using an old visa page: Older Kenyan immigration pages still describe visa categories and historical fees. Start with the current official eTA portal.
• Applying too late: Although typical processing is three working days, the official guidance says applications can take longer and recommends applying at least two weeks ahead.
• Entering passport details incorrectly: A mismatch between the application and the passport used for travel can create problems at check-in or arrival.
• Assuming approval guarantees entry: Admission and the length of stay remain decisions for Kenyan immigration officials.
• Ignoring the itinerary: Yellow fever documentation may depend on where you have travelled or transited before Kenya.
• Using an unofficial agent without checking the total: Compare any agency's charges with the amount shown on the official portal before paying.
• Forgetting children: The official requirement includes infants and children unless they qualify for an exemption.

Once your travel authorisation, passport and health documentation are in order, you can focus on the practical side of your trip: choosing accommodation, planning transport and selecting a reliable operator. For guidance on comparing providers, see how to choose a Kenya safari operator with seven practical checks. Families can also review our guide to taking children on a Kenya safari before booking.

Kenya's entry rules can change, and the official eTA portal is the final source for the current application questions, fee, document requirements and decision. Check it again shortly before departure, even if you have travelled to Kenya previously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do New Zealander citizens need a visa for Kenya?

New Zealander citizens travelling on ordinary New Zealand passports generally need an approved Kenya eTA before starting their journey. Kenya's official guidance requires an eTA for visitors unless they fall within a listed exemption.

What type of Kenya visa do New Zealand passport holders need?

For most tourism and safari trips, New Zealand passport holders need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation rather than the older eVisa or visa-on-arrival process.

How much is the Kenya eTA for New Zealander citizens?

Confirm the current fee on Kenya's official eTA portal before paying. Older Kenyan immigration pages show historical visa fees, but those figures should not be assumed to be the current eTA price.

How long does a Kenya eTA take for New Zealanders?

Kenya says eTA applications are usually processed in three working days, although some applications take longer. The official guidance recommends applying at least two weeks before travel.

How long is the Kenya eTA valid?

The official Kenyan embassy guidance says the eTA is valid for travel within 90 days from its date of issuance. The period you may stay in Kenya is determined by immigration at entry.

Can kids go on a safari in Kenya, and do they need an eTA?

Yes, children can travel on safari, and Kenya's official guidance says all visitors, including infants and children, must have an approved eTA unless an exemption applies. Apply for each child using the passport they will carry.

Do I need a Kenya eTA if I am only transiting?

You may be exempt when you remain in the international transit lounge and arrive and depart on the same aircraft or transfer to another aircraft without entering Kenya. Check the current rules if you leave the airside area or change your travel circumstances.

Can I get a Kenya visa on arrival as a New Zealander?

Do not plan on obtaining permission at the airport; apply for the required eTA before your journey. Kenya's current eTA guidance says visitors must have an approved authorisation before starting travel.

Does a Kenya eTA guarantee entry?

No, an approved eTA does not guarantee entry. Kenyan immigration officials decide admission and the duration of stay at the point of entry.

Do New Zealanders need a yellow fever certificate for Kenya?

It can depend on where you have travelled or transited before arriving in Kenya. The available research indicates that a yellow fever certificate may be required when arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country, so confirm the current health rule for your complete itinerary.