Kenya visa-free entry for citizens of South Africa: 2026 entry rules

No. Holders of a passport from South Africa need neither a visa nor an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) for a short tourist stay in Kenya. Kenya lifted this requirement in 2025 for citizens of most African countries, including South Africa, and the change has applied since July 2025. The permitted stay is 90 days at most. For a longer stay, work or study, check with the Kenyan immigration service (immigration.go.ke) or the Kenyan embassy.

No advance application is needed, so there is no processing time to plan for. Check your passport's validity well before departure and look at immigration.go.ke shortly before you travel, as entry rules can change. Note your entry date so that you do not exceed the 90 days allowed. Your airline may also check your documents at boarding: if staff ask for an eTA, point out that travellers from South Africa have been exempt since 2025.

On arrival, present a valid passport issued by South Africa; the remaining validity required is set by the Kenyan immigration service. Immigration officers may ask for a return or onward ticket, an accommodation address or proof of sufficient funds: these are not always requested, but it is wise to carry them. Health requirements, including vaccinations, may vary with your itinerary. Check the rules in force on the Kenyan immigration website, immigration.go.ke, before you travel.

There is no visa or eTA fee to pay for a short tourist stay, since neither is required of travellers from South Africa. Do not pay any website selling a “Kenya eTA” or a “Kenya visa” for this trip: it does not match any required step. Keep your passport at hand and, if possible, your accommodation booking and return ticket. For any other tax or formality, only the official source (immigration.go.ke) is authoritative.