Step-by-Step Guide to Kenya eTA for South African citizens

If you plan to travel from South Africa to Kenya, you will need a Kenya visa for South African citizens. Nowadays, it is easier than ever to obtain a Kenya eTA for South African citizens following the instructions for the Kenya eTA application. This electronic eTA allows South African passport holders to visit the country in short periods of time, within 90 days.

Learn more details about Kenya eTA requirements for South African citizens and how to apply for eTA online

Kenya eTA for South African citizens - How to get a Kenya eTA from South Africa?

Kenya eTA for South African citizens:

One of the most popular questions when researching a visa to Kenya is "Do South Africans need a visa for Kenya?"

No. All foreign citizens who wish to travel to Kenya do not require a Visa from January 2024 and will now instead apply for a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization ETA. All South African citizens must have an eTA to enter Kenya before they can legally enter the country

According to Kenya's eTA policy, the Kenya eTA is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Although the Kenya eTA for South African citizens is valid for 90 days in Kenya, it is possible to extend it by another 90 days once in Kenya. 

For longer stays or visits for other purposes, travelers must apply for a Kenya visa for South African passport holders at a Kenya embassy in South Africa

Let’s Check Kenya ETA/Evisa Requirements For South African Citizens

You need to consider the Kenya Visa requirements for South African citizens before applying for your Kenya eVisa. They include the following:

• A Valid Passport: The traveller from South Africa must hold a valid and up-to-date passport. Your South African passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date in Kenya. Furthermore, the passport must include at least one blank page for stamping.
• A Digital Photograph: With your e-visa application form, you must include a recent, colorized passport-size photograph. The photograph must be no more than six months old and must depict your current appearance.
• Working email address: To receive their Kenya eVisa for South African citizens electronically, applicants must provide a valid email address. Applicants should print a hard copy of their electronic eVisa and keep it with them in case they are required to present it upon entering Kenya
• Travel Itinerary: You will be required to submit details of your travel itinerary, such as confirmed accommodation and air ticket details, booked excursions, destinations you wish to visit, and activities you wish to participate in while in Kenya.
• An Onward Ticket: When you arrive at any of Kenya's border checkpoints, the immigration officer will request proof of onward travel, which could be a return ticket to your home country or a ticket/travel permit to enter your next destination.

Before you travel to Kenya, if you lose or steal your passport, you need to apply for a new eVisa that ties into the new passport. The same applies if your dates of travel change.

Check Kenya eTA requirements for South African citizens

Need To Know All Types Of Kenya eTA for South African Citizens Currently Available

South Africans seeking to travel to Kenya will need to obtain the relevant Kenya visa in order to enter the country. There are several different types of Kenya visas available for South African citizens, depending on their travel purpose.

The most popular is the Kenya e visa for South African citizens, which can be applied for and obtained online before your trip. This type of Kenya visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days and is suitable for people coming to Kenya for leisure, business, or transit purposes.

Currently, there are several types of Kenya e-visa available to South African citizens, depending on the purpose of the visit:

• Kenya Tourist e visa

Mainly used for traveling and sightseeing purposes. Kenya tourist eVisa for South African citizens only allows a single entry, and you can stay in Kenya for up to 90 days.

• Kenya Business e visa

This is crucial for your work trip to Kenya. South African workers will have 90 consecutive days in this country with a Kenya business e visa.

How to apply for a Kenya visa waiver from South Africa

To begin the process of obtaining a Kenya visa waiver from South Africa, applicants must complete an online application. This Kenya visa application form can be filled out from South Africa and from the comfort of your home. 

The application process for a Kenya visa waiver from South Africa is quick and easy, requiring applicants to complete and submit a simple, 10-minute online form.

South African travelers can apply for a Kenya eTA online in 3 simple steps. 

Read more: Kenya eTA processing times

If all information is correct, you will then be instructed to pay the fee for a Kenyan eTA and wait for the approval to be sent to your email address. The average processing time for a Kenyan eTA is two to three business days, but this can vary depending on demand and other factors. To avoid delays and stress, we recommend applying for your eTA ahead of time.

Apply for a Kenya eTA for South African citizens online

Learn More About Kenya eTA Fees for South African Citizens

The Kenya eTA fee for South African citizens solely depends upon the eTA type you have selected, not upon your nationality. It makes no difference which country you are from because Kenya has set the same fee for citizens of all eligible countries.

To apply for a Kenya eTA online from South Africa, you have to pay two kinds of eTA fees, which are called the Service Fee and the Government Fee. With a government fee, you will pay a specific fee. About the service fee, depending on your needs, there are 3 options you can consider:

• Normal: used in most cases when you have time to prepare paperwork and wait for a response. You can get your electronic travel authorization (ETA) in a guaranteed maximum of 3 business days.
• Urgent: used in special circumstances when you just have a little time to prepare. In this way, you will receive your electronic travel authorization (ETA) within 48 hours.
• Super urgent: used in emergencies when you need to get an electronic travel authorization (ETA) in hours. With this option, your result will arrive in a guaranteed maximum of 24 hours.

Payment: after choosing a suitable type of service, you need to charge all fees to complete the application. Both electronic transactions and wire transfers are accepted. You can choose either Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or PayPal.

In addition, Kenya Immigration Services currently also provides other package services to assist South African citizens while traveling to Kenya, such as Kenya travel insurance, Car pick-up service in Kenya, and Kenya eSim.

Learn about Kenya eTA fees for South African citizens

Apply for the necessary Kenya eTA atthe  Kenya embassy in South Africa

On public holidays in South Africa and Kenya, the Kenyan embassy's offices in South Africa may be closed.

High Commission of the Republic of Kenya in Pretoria, South Africa

• Address: 302 Brooks Street, P.O. Box 35954, Menlo Park, 0081, South Africa.

Kenya consulate/embassy office’s hours in South Africa

• Morning: 09.00 - 12.30
• Afternoon: 13:30 - 16:00

Normally, the Kenyan Embassy office in South Africa is open Monday to Friday.

Kenya Visa Requirements for South Africa Citizens FAQs

Do South Africans need a visa for Kenya?

Holders of South African passports do not need a visa to enter Kenya. All foreign citizens who wish to travel to Kenya do not require a Visa from January 2024 and will now instead apply for a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

Nationals of South Africa who want to travel to Kenya can apply for a Kenya ETA. This is the fastest and most convenient way to get travel documents for Kenya from South Africa, helping travelers save an amount of time.

The Kenyan Government requires certain foreign nationals to have a visa before traveling to this country. Fortunately, a new visa system called Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization, was launched in 2024 that can help simplify the process of getting an ETA. Citizens of South Africa can take advantage of an ETA to visit Kenya for tourism, business, or transit purposes.

It is very straightforward to get a Kenya ETA from South Africa. First of all, they should make sure that they meet the Kenya ETA requirements for South African citizens. After that, they will complete the application form with some necessary information and make an online payment for the visa fee. Within a few days after the visa application has been submitted, South African citizens can receive their visas via email.

 

Is Kenya visa free to South Africa?

 Yes. South African citizens are permitted a visa-exempt stay in Kenya of up to 30 days. That means South African nationals whose trips are less than 30 days can visit Kenya without obtaining a visa.  However, if South Africans want to explore more things in Kenya, they can apply for a Kenya ETA  which allows them to stay there longer. 

The electronic travel authorization system offers a quick and uncomplicated way to obtain permission to visit Kenya. South African travelers no longer need to visit a diplomatic office to apply for a visa on paper because they may now apply online. The validity of an electronic travel authorization for Kenya is within 90 days from the issued date and the duration of stay is also up to 90 days. 

The ETA application process will be taken within 15 minutes from anywhere as long as the applicant has a computer or other internet-connected device. Travelers from South Africa are recommended to submit the application at least 07 days before their departure. A Kenya ETA is frequently granted in a maximum of 03 business days. However, South Africans who need their visa in case of emergency can choose the Rush Visa service provided by Kenya Immigration Service. With this service, it takes only 05 hours to process their visa application.

 

Can I travel to Kenya from South Africa?

 Yes. South African citizens are allowed to travel to Kenya since this country opened its borders to international travelers in 2020. Starting January 5, 2024, ALL travelers will be required to apply for and pay the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before their journey to Kenya.

Blessed with stunning natural features, pleasant weather all year round, and a diverse range of species, Kenya is one of the most popular destinations for many tourists in the world. The number of visitors to Kenya is expected to increase from 900,000 recorded in 2021 to more than 1 million owing to the reopening of tourism. Traveling to Kenya, South African travelers have opportunities to enjoy unique safari tours, bask in the beauty of nature, and explore the natural habitats of wild animals such as elephants, rhinos, African buffalo, and giraffes. 

 

To have a trip to Kenya, South Africans must consider obtaining a visa before departing. A visa-exempt of up to 30 days is granted for South African citizens, so they do not need to get a visa for trips less than 30 days. However, an eVisa is available for South African nationals who intend to remain in the country longer and explore the peaceful landscapes that Kenya has to offer.  

 

In addition, South Africans are recommended to purchase travel insurance before traveling to Kenya because it can help protect their benefits during their Kenya trip. Up to US$ 50,000.00 (Fifty thousand US Dollars) is covered by this travel insurance, offering affordable emergency protection for medical, transportation, or trip interruption should unexpected occurrences happen during their Kenya trip. 

How much is Kenyan visa from South Africa?

 For South African travelers intending to visit Kenya and staying there longer than 30 days, a visa will be required. Traveling to Kenya is easier than ever before thanks to Kenya eVisa which is issued by the Kenyan Directorate of Immigration Service. 

After 15 minutes of completing the application form, South African nationals can apply for a visa for Kenya and get it after a few business days. Importantly, for the eVisa to be processed, the applicants must pay the visa fee as a mandatory step. Citizens of South Africa applying for Kenya eVisa on Kenya Immigration Service must pay 02 types of visa fees: the Government and the Service Fee. 

 

Depending on the type of visa South Africans apply for, they must pay a different amount for the Government fee. South African citizens requesting a tourist or business visa for Kenya must pay US$ 95.00 for the government charge. This fee is higher if their visa application is for the East Africa visa. An amount of US$ 65.00 must be paid to the Government for a Kenya transit visa.

 

There are 03 different types of visa processing time, which may determine the visa service fee that South African nationals have to pay. 

• Normal: Get an eVisa within 03 business days with a fee of US$59.00.
• Urgent: South Africans can expect to receive their eVisa in 24 hours by paying a higher fee. They need to pay an additional US$79.00.
• Super urgent: This option is great for South African applicants who require their visa in 05 hours for an extra US$99.00.

Our Commitment to Reliable Visa Information

At www.kenyaimmigration.org, we are committed to delivering information that is accurate, transparent, and dependable. Each piece of visa-related content published on our website undergoes careful review to maintain consistency and integrity.

We do not rely on unofficial or third-party materials. To ensure accuracy, all references are drawn from publicly available resources issued by official Kenyan government authorities.

Sources:

• Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya): https://immigration.go.ke
• eCitizen Kenya Portal: https://www.ecitizen.go.ke
• Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs: https://www.mfa.go.ke

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