🇷🇺Russian Federation

🇰🇪KenyaRU-KE

Russian Federation to Kenya visa requirements

Q: Can I get the eTA on arrival in Kenya?

No. The eTA must be applied for and approved online before you board your flight. There is no visa or eTA on arrival.

Q: How long can I stay in Kenya on an eTA?

Up to 90 days per trip, with the exact duration confirmed by the immigration officer at the port of entry.

Q: How much does the Kenya eTA cost?

The official government fee is USD 30. On the official portal the total usually reaches about USD 32-34 after a small service/bank surcharge.

Q: How long does eTA processing take?

Up to 3 working days. Apply at least 3 days before departure; you can submit up to 90 days in advance.

Q: Is the eTA valid for multiple trips?

No. A standard eTA covers a single trip. You must apply for a new eTA for each visit to Kenya.

Russian ordinary passport holders need an approved Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before boarding. Kenya abolished traditional visas for all nationals from January 2024, replacing them with a mandatory online eTA. There is no visa-on-arrival and no visa-free channel for Russians; only East African Community nationals are exempt. Since 1 January 2024 Kenya is technically "visa-free" but enforces a compulsory Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) for nearly all foreign visitors, including Russian citizens. The eTA is applied for online at the official portal etakenya.go.ke before travel and cannot be obtained on arrival. It authorises a single trip with a stay of up to 90 days, is valid for travel within 90 days of issuance, and the official government fee is USD 30 (the portal total typically reaches roughly USD 32-34 after the bank/service surcharge). Government processing is stated at up to 3 working days, and applications must be lodged at least about 3 days before departure (and may be submitted up to 90 days ahead). Russia is not on the eTA-exempt list (only East African Community members are exempt), so the correct verdict for a short tourist stay is eTA. Travellers should carry a passport valid at least six months with a blank page, proof of onward/return travel, accommodation details, and the printed/saved eTA approval.

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.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) - mandatory pre-travel online authorisation

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days per entry (final duration set by the immigration officer on arrival)

per entry

Entries

Single trip (a new eTA is required for each visit)

from issue date

Visa fee

USD 30 official government fee (portal total approx. USD 32-34 incl. service/bank surcharge)

consular fee only

Processing time

Up to 3 working days; apply at least 3 days before travel

standard track

Validity

Valid for travel within 90 days from date of issuance

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm passport eligibility

Ensure the Russian ordinary passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into Kenya and has at least one blank page.

· 6 months validity· 1 blank page

/02

Gather supporting documents

Prepare a digital passport bio-page scan, a recent passport-style photo, return/onward flight details, and accommodation or host information.

· Passport scan· Photo· Onward ticket

/03

Apply on the official eTA portal

Go to etakenya.go.ke (the only official site), create an application, complete the personal, travel and accommodation sections, and upload the required documents.

· etakenya.go.ke

/04

Pay the eTA fee

Pay the USD 30 government fee online by card; the portal total is usually around USD 32-34 after the service/bank surcharge.

· USD 30· Card payment

/05

Wait for approval

Processing takes up to 3 working days. Apply at least 3 days before departure (you may submit up to 90 days ahead). The approval arrives by email.

· Up to 3 days

/06

Carry the approved eTA

Print the approved eTA or save it on your phone and present it together with your passport at check-in and on arrival in Kenya.

· Print/save approval

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

Russian Federation -> Kenya · Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) - mandatory pre-travel online authorisation

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredRussian passport valid 6+ months beyond entry date

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredAt least one blank passport page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredApproved Kenya eTA (printed or on phone)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredClear scan of passport bio-data page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredRecent passport-style photograph

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 or host details

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredMeans/credit card to pay the USD 30 eTA fee online

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

ConditionalYellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from an endemic country

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

conditional

RecommendedSufficient funds for the stay (may be requested on arrival)

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

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 - eTA Embassy of Kenya, Washington D.C. - eTA Fragomen - Kenya: New Visa Waiver for All Nationals; eTA Required for Some

Application link included: Fragomen - Kenya: New Visa Waiver for All Nationals; eTA Required for Some

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

eTA government feeUSD 30Official fee charged by the Government of Kenya per application

Service/bank surchargeUSD 2-4Card/processing surcharge added on the official portal (total approx. USD 32-34)

Expedited processing (optional)VariesFaster handling available at additional cost via some channels

Total estimateUSD 30 — USD 34incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard eTA processing

Up to 3 working days

Official government processing via etakenya.go.ke; apply at least 3 days before departure.

Expedited processing

Often within 24-48 hours

Faster turnaround offered at additional cost through some service providers.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

No visa-exempt channel for Russia

Only East African Community nationals are exempt from the eTA; Russian citizens must obtain one before travel.

High

/02

No visa or eTA on arrival

The eTA must be approved before boarding; it cannot be obtained at a Kenyan airport or border.

High

/03

Applied too late

Government processing can take up to 3 working days, so last-minute applications risk missing the flight.

Medium

/04

Insufficient passport validity

Passports must be valid at least six months beyond entry; shorter validity leads to refusal.

Medium

/05

Using an unofficial website

Third-party sites charge extra and can cause errors; only etakenya.go.ke is official.

Medium

/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

Russia to Kenya route verified

Confirmed via Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services and Kenyan embassy sources that Russian ordinary passport holders require an approved eTA (USD 30, up to 90 days, single trip) and are not visa-exempt; verdict set to eTA.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Russian citizens need a visa for Kenya?—

Not a traditional visa. Kenya replaced visas with a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) from January 2024. Russians must obtain an approved eTA online before travelling.

Can I get the eTA on arrival in Kenya?+

How long can I stay in Kenya on an eTA?+

How much does the Kenya eTA cost?+

How long does eTA processing take?+

Is the eTA valid for multiple trips?+

/11 — Passport tools