Kenya e-Visa for citizens of Canada: online application, fees and processing time 2026

Yes. A Canadian passport does not allow visa-free tourist entry to Kenya without a prior authorization. The standard route is the electronic travel authorization applied for online before departure; some entry points may also offer a solution on arrival, but you should not rely on it. The safest option for a Canadian is to complete the process from home through the official portal.

The published fee is the government charge alone. Two or three other lines are added before the visa is in the passport, and they are what makes the final bill.

• Government fee30-32 USD

  Paid to the state, non-refundable if the visa is refused.

• Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top

  Never compulsory. An intermediary fills the form for you, it does not change the decision or the processing time.

We only display amounts published by an official source. Confirm the total before paying anything.

Bring a Canadian passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date, with blank pages for the stamp. You also need a digital passport photo, an address of accommodation in Kenya and often proof of a return or onward ticket. This guide does not guarantee the amount of the authorization: check the current official fee directly on etakenya.go.ke before paying.

The application is made exclusively online, on Kenya's government portal etakenya.go.ke, from Canada and before travelling. You create an account, fill in the form, upload your passport bio page and a photo, then pay the fee by card. Once approved, the authorization is emailed to you: print it or keep it on your phone to show at boarding and on arrival.

The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Canada but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.

Processing time is not fixed: apply several days before departure to absorb any delays or requests for additional documents. Depending on your itinerary, proof of yellow-fever vaccination may be required, particularly if you arrive from a country where the disease is present, so check this point before travelling. Keep both a digital and a paper copy of the approved authorization.

Do not turn up at the airport assuming a solution will exist on arrival: travel with the authorization already approved. Make sure the name, date of birth and passport number you enter match your passport exactly, as the smallest error can invalidate the authorization. Finally, use only the official portal etakenya.go.ke: many third-party sites charge extra fees with no added value.