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Japan to Kenya visa requirements

Japanese ordinary passport holders need an approved Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before they fly. There is no visa-free entry and no visa-on-arrival for Japan; the eTA must be applied for and granted online ahead of travel. Since January 2024 Kenya replaced its traditional visa with an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for almost all foreign visitors. In 2025 Kenya waived the eTA entirely for most African and Caribbean nationals, but those changes do NOT apply to Japan. A Japanese ordinary passport holder traveling to Kenya for tourism still must obtain an eTA online via the official portal etakenya.go.ke before departure. The eTA permits a stay of up to 90 days on a single entry and is valid for travel within 90 days of issuance. The official base government fee is USD 30 (a small card/service charge brings the typical total to about USD 32.50); standard processing is within about 3 working days, with an expedited option for an extra fee. Kenya no longer issues visas on arrival, so the eTA must be approved before boarding. There is no Schengen relevance: Kenya is in East Africa and is not part of the Schengen area or ETIAS.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →Japan (PR)Living in Japan as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 30 base (about USD 32.50 total with service charge)
consular fee only
Processing time
About 3 working days (expedited available)
standard track
Validity
Valid for travel within 90 days of issuance
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm eTA is required for your trip
As a Japanese ordinary passport holder you are not in any eTA-exempt category, so you must apply for an eTA before traveling to Kenya for tourism.
· All travelers· Before booking
/02
Gather your documents
Have a passport valid at least 6 months beyond entry, a digital passport bio-page scan, a recent passport-style photo, your flight/return itinerary and hotel booking ready.
· Passport· Photo· Itinerary
/03
Apply on the official portal
Go to the official Kenya government eTA site at etakenya.go.ke and complete the online application. Do not use unofficial third-party sites that charge inflated fees.
· etakenya.go.ke· Online only
/04
Pay the eTA fee
Pay the USD 30 government fee (about USD 32.50 with the service charge) by card. Choose standard or, if needed, expedited processing.
· USD 30· Card payment
/05
Wait for approval
Standard processing is usually within about 3 working days. Apply at least 1-2 weeks before departure to allow a buffer.
· ~3 working days· Apply early
/06
Carry the approved eTA
Download and print (or save) the approved eTA. Present it with your passport at check-in and at the Kenyan port of entry.
· Print copy· Show at entry
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
Japan -> Kenya · Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Kenya
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredApproved Kenya eTA obtained online before departure
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredClear digital scan of passport bio-data page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredRecent passport-style photograph (digital)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredConfirmed return or onward flight ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of accommodation (hotel booking or host details)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredMeans to pay the USD 30 eTA fee by card
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
ConditionalYellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from or transiting an endemic country
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
RecommendedPrinted or saved copy of the approved eTA to show at check-in and entry
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance for the trip
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesKenya Directorate of Immigration Services - eTAOfficial Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization PortalEmbassy of the Republic of Kenya in Japan - eTA
Application link included: Official Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization Portal
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
eTA government feeUSD 30Base fee charged by the Kenyan government for the standard eTA
Service/processing charge~USD 2.50Card and service charge typically added on the official portal, bringing the total to about USD 32.50
Expedited processing (optional)+USD 100Optional fast-track service for near-immediate processing
Total estimateUSD 32.50 — USD 132.50incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard eTA
About 3 working days
Default option; apply at least 1-2 weeks ahead of travel to be safe
Expedited eTA
Near-immediate / same day
Optional fast-track service for an additional fee of around USD 100
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Applied too close to departure
Standard processing can take up to 3 working days; last-minute applications risk not being approved before your flight.
High
/02
Used an unofficial website
Third-party sites charge inflated fees and can submit incorrect data. Always use the official etakenya.go.ke portal.
Medium
/03
Passport validity under 6 months
Kenya requires passports valid at least 6 months beyond entry; a short-validity passport can lead to refusal.
Medium
/04
Missing accommodation or return ticket details
The eTA application and entry checks expect proof of onward travel and a place to stay.
Medium
/05
No yellow fever certificate when required
Travelers arriving from or transiting yellow-fever-endemic countries can be denied entry without proof of vaccination.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30 · major
Japan to Kenya route verified
Confirmed via the Kenya Directorate of Immigration, the Kenya Embassy in Japan and the official eTA portal that Japanese ordinary passport holders require a paid eTA (USD 30 base) for tourist visits; the 2025 African/Caribbean visa-free waivers do not apply to Japan.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Japanese citizens need a visa for Kenya?—
They do not need a traditional visa, but they must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) online before traveling. Kenya replaced its visa with the eTA for most foreign visitors in 2024.
Can I get a visa or eTA on arrival in Kenya?+
How long can I stay in Kenya on an eTA?+
How much does the Kenya eTA cost for a Japanese traveler?+
Does Kenya's 2025 visa-free policy apply to Japan?+
How far in advance should I apply?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Japan passport

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Japan passport power
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