Kenya Visa for Indians: What to Check Before You Apply

Indian passport holders travelling to Kenya need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online on the official portal before departure. Apply at least two weeks ahead with your passport, a clear photo, flight bookings and safari or hotel confirmations, and plan a yellow fever vaccination, which India requires when you return from Kenya.

Kenya replaced its older visa system with the eTA, and many websites still describe the old process. This guide explains what to check, which documents to prepare and the health rules that catch Indian travellers out. It does not quote fees; check them on the official portal. Information checked October 2026.

The short answer

Use only the official portal

Apply on the official Kenya eTA portal. Many websites offer to apply for you at a higher price, and some look official. If you use a travel company, ask them to apply on the government portal and share the approval with you.

Documents to prepare

• Passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date, with at least one blank page.
• Passport scan of the photo page.
• Recent photo or selfie, against a plain background.
• Return or onward flight booking.
• Accommodation: hotel, lodge or camp confirmations, or your safari itinerary.
• Contact details, including an email address and phone number.

How to apply, step by step

1. Open the official portal and create an application.
2. Enter your passport details exactly as printed.
3. Upload your passport scan, photo and supporting documents.
4. Enter your travel dates, flights and accommodation.
5. Pay online and keep the reference number.
6. Track the status, then download and print the approved eTA.

Timelines and when to apply

Processing usually takes about three working days, but plan for longer. Apply at least two weeks before travel, and earlier during the Great Migration season from July to October, when travel to the Masai Mara peaks. An eTA has to be used within a set period after it is issued, so do not apply too far ahead either; check the validity rules on the portal.

Other health preparations

Speak to a travel medicine clinic six to eight weeks before departure. They will advise on vaccinations and malaria prevention for the areas you are visiting, as risk varies between Nairobi, the safari parks and the coast. Carry insect repellent, light long-sleeved clothing for evenings, and any regular medicines with prescriptions.

Six common mistakes

1. Applying on an agent site instead of the official portal.
2. Typing a passport number or name that does not match the passport.
3. Applying too late, especially in peak migration season.
4. Uploading a blurred photo or document.
5. Forgetting the yellow fever vaccine and certificate.
6. Not printing the eTA; airlines may ask for it at check-in.

Checking your approved eTA

When the approval arrives, check your full name, passport number, date of birth, nationality and travel dates against your passport. If anything is wrong, contact the portal's support channel straight away rather than waiting until the airport. Save a copy on your phone and in your email, and carry two printed copies in separate bags.

Combining Kenya with Tanzania or Zanzibar

Many safari travellers add Tanzania's Serengeti or a beach stay in Zanzibar. Each country has its own entry rules, so check Tanzania's official requirements separately. If you leave Kenya and return, for example to fly home from Nairobi, check whether you need a new eTA for the second entry, and plan the vaccination certificate for the whole trip.

Documents to carry on the trip

• Passport, with the eTA printout and a digital copy.
• Original yellow fever vaccination certificate.
• Return flight ticket and safari or hotel confirmations.
• Travel insurance policy with the emergency number.
• Copies of prescriptions for any medicines you carry.

Vegetarian food on safari

Most safari lodges and camps can prepare vegetarian meals, and Nairobi has a long-established Indian community with many Indian restaurants. Tell your lodges about vegetarian or Jain needs well in advance, since camps in remote areas plan supplies ahead. Carry a few familiar snacks for long game drives.

Timing the trip itself

The dry seasons, roughly from late June to October and from late December to February, are the most popular for game viewing. July to October brings the Great Migration river crossings in the Masai Mara, and lodges fill months ahead, so finalise your bookings before you apply for the eTA. April and May bring the long rains, with lower prices and greener scenery but some camps closed.

For families and parents

Each traveller, including children, needs their own eTA. Apply for everyone together with the same dates and accommodation. Parents and older travellers should discuss vaccinations and malaria tablets with a doctor, especially if they have existing health conditions. Some safari lodges have age rules for children, so check before booking.

At the airport

At check-in in India, airlines may ask for your eTA and return ticket. At Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, show your passport and eTA at immigration. Keep your yellow fever certificate with your passport; you may be asked for it in Kenya and you will need it when you land back in India.

After the eTA: planning the safari

Non-stop flights connect Mumbai with Nairobi, and one-stop routes via the Gulf are common from other cities. Most safaris combine the Masai Mara with Amboseli for Kilimanjaro views and Lake Naivasha. Our Amboseli, Naivasha and Masai Mara safari covers all three. Read our 7-day Kenya itinerary and Kenya trip guide from India for routes, lodges and food.

Travel insurance and money

Travel insurance with medical and evacuation cover is strongly recommended for safaris. Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling; US dollars are widely accepted at lodges and for park-related payments, and card acceptance varies. Carry some small notes for tips and purchases.

A note on accuracy

Entry and health rules can change without notice. This guide explains how the process generally works, but the official eTA portal, the High Commission of Kenya in India and India's health authorities are the only authoritative sources. Check them before you apply and again before you fly.

A BagPackerMe planner can guide you through the paperwork and plan the safari privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

Do Indians need a visa for Kenya?

Indian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling to Kenya. Apply online on the official eTA portal and carry the approval with you.

How long does the Kenya eTA take?

Processing usually takes about three working days, but it can take longer if more checks are needed. Apply at least two weeks before travel to leave a margin.

Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Kenya?

Check the latest health advice before you travel. Importantly, India requires travellers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission, which include Kenya, to show a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate, so plan the vaccine well before you leave.

Can I use the eTA for a safari and a beach stay?

Yes. The eTA covers tourism, including safaris and beach holidays. List your main accommodation and travel dates accurately in the application.