🇰🇪 Kenya visa requirements for American citizens
American citizens need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for Kenya — a quick online approval, not a full visa.
Entry rules for United States passport holders
Kenya requires American visitors to register online for an electronic travel authorization before departure. An eTA is lighter than a visa — approval is usually issued within minutes to hours — but airlines will deny boarding without it, so complete it before heading to the airport.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the official Kenya immigration authority or your nearest embassy before booking.
How this compares
The American passport ranks #32 worldwide, opening 159 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (116 visa-free, 36 with a visa on arrival and 7 with an eTA). Kenya is one of them.
This is not reciprocal — traveling the other way, Kenyan citizens need to arrange entry to United States in advance (visa required).
Across Eastern Africa as a whole, 14 of 16 destinations are open to American travelers without arranging a visa in advance.
About Kenya
- Capital
- Nairobi
- Region
- Eastern Africa
- Currency
- Kenyan shilling (Sh)
- Languages
- English, Swahili
Planning a trip to Kenya?
- Compare flights →
- Tours and activities →
- Airport transfers →
- Claim flight compensation →
- Rent a car locally →
- City attraction passes →
Some links above are affiliate links — booking through them supports this site at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Do American citizens need a visa for Kenya?
American citizens need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for Kenya — a quick online approval, not a full visa.
Can American citizens apply online for entry to Kenya?
Yes. Kenya offers an online electronic travel authorization (eTA) for United States passport holders. Apply through the official government portal before your trip.
What currency is used in Kenya?
The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan shilling (Sh). The capital city is Nairobi.
Is this information up to date?
Current status: eTA required for American citizens traveling to Kenya. This page is built from the open Passport Index dataset, which was last updated on 2025-01-12. Visa rules can change between dataset updates, so always confirm with the Kenya embassy or immigration authority before booking.
More of Africa for American passport holders
Going the other way? United States visa requirements for Kenyan citizens →
Source data last updated 2025-01-12.