Kenya visa for South African passport holders
South African passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation for Kenya
It's a short online application, not an embassy visit. Apply before you fly — airlines can refuse to board you without it.
Heads up: Kenya asks nearly everyone to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation before they fly, even where no visa is needed. Citizens of East African Community states are exempt.
- From official sources
Fee: About USD 34 per Kenyan embassy pages (the portal shows the final amount). Free for citizens of South Africa, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Comoros, Congo and Mozambique.
Timing: 3 working days — apply at least 3 days before you travel
Validity: 90 days from approval
What you'll typically need
- A card that can pay online, for the authorisation fee
- A digital passport photo and a scan of your passport photo page
- Your accommodation address and arrival date
- A passport valid for at least six months from the day you arrive, with blank pages
- Proof of onward or return travel
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate — many African countries ask for it, especially if you've been in an affected country
Typical requirements, not a guarantee — the destination decides.
Want to get it right first time?
A personalised checklist, readiness check and step-by-step guide — you still apply on the official site.
Key rules for Kenya were checked against Kenyan embassy eTA guidance in October 2026. Individual passport results come from Passport Index data as of February 2026, corrected where official sources disagreed. We corrected the standard dataset for this result: Kenya requires an eTA for all foreign visitors except citizens of East African Community states. Rules change, so always check the official source before you pay or book. Faylo is not an embassy or immigration adviser.
Check a different passport
Questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for Kenya?
South African passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation for Kenya. It's a short online application, not an embassy visit. Apply before you fly — airlines can refuse to board you without it. Confirm on Kenya eTA portal before you pay or book, because entry rules change.
Should I use an agent to get a Kenya visa?
Only if you want someone to handle the paperwork for you. Government fees are the same whether or not you use an agent, and agents add their own fee on top — sometimes more than the visa itself. Check that the government fee is listed separately and avoid agents who ask for payment to a personal account.