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Can I travel to Kenya with a Canadian travel document?

Visiting Kenya using a Canadian travel document is a possibility, and one that comes with its own set of rules and restrictions that you must be aware of before booking your vacation.

First, you need to clarify what type of travel document you have.  Some people use the name "Canadian travel document" as a Refugee Travel Document or Certificate of Identity, however, they should not be confused with a regular Canadian passport.  If you are a Canadian citizen carrying a regular Canadian passport, travelling to Kenya is not a complex process: you have to submit an online application for an eVisa before you leave.

The situation is different, though, in the case when you have one of the following documents (issued to refugees, stateless persons, or individuals who cannot obtain a national passport): a Canadian Refugee Travel Document (blue cover) or an Identity Certificate (grey cover). Kenya also accepts travel documents as an alternative to a national passport to obtain a visa, although this also depends on the case and the discretion of Kenyan officials.

Applying for a Kenyan ETA:

  • ETA Application:
    The majority of visitors with travel documents require authorization to enter Kenya. As of January 2024, Kenya has replaced its eVisa system with the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) platform. All travelers—including those with refugee travel documents—must apply through this system or consult a Kenyan mission if ineligible. You are expected to upload your travel documents during the application process where passports are not uploaded. Travelers with refugee travel documents or certificates of Identity must check whether their travel documents are eligible for an eTA or whether they must apply through a Kenyan diplomatic mission.
  • Important Note: 

While some travel documents may be accepted during the eTA application process, approval is not guaranteed and is subject to case-by-case review by Kenyan immigration authorities.

Travelers holding a Refugee Travel Document (blue cover) or Certificate of Identity (grey cover) issued by Canada may not be automatically eligible for eTA. In such cases, applying for a visa directly through the Kenya High Commission in Ottawa or Kenyan Embassy in Washington, D.C. is recommended.

Entry Requirements:

  • Validity: Your travel document must be valid for more than six months before the intended date of entry into Kenya.
  • Yellow fever certificate: Depending on your travel route, you may be required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination, especially if you’re arriving from Tanzania.
  • Return Ticket and Proof of Funds: Immigration officers may ask for evidence that you will be going somewhere, or that you have enough money to cover your stay and accommodation.

It is important to not think that one must enter Kenya just because one holds a travel document issued in Canada. You can always double-check the validity of information by calling the nearest Kenyan diplomatic mission, as regulations often change. A visit to Kenya can be truly enjoyable and successful with proper planning and attention to all the details and paperwork.

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