PassportSouth Africa

Kenya: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans don't need a visa for Kenya. You can stay up to 90 days per visit.

Visa-free and eTA-exempt. Under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules, 2025 (Legal Notice No. 93 of 30 May 2025), South Africa is on the list of African countries whose nationals are exempt from the Electronic Travel Authorisation. Libya and Somalia are the only African nationalities still needing an eTA.123

Kenya is one of 59 visa-free destinations for South Africans. See the full list or visa-free countries in Africa.

Kenya's US$50,000 visitor insurance rule is on holdA Kenyan High Court order has suspended the planned compulsory health insurance for visitors while the case is heard. Nothing changes for now: South Africans still need no visa and no eTA for stays of up to 90 days. Source: theeastafrican.co.ke, visasupdate.com

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

The eTA exemption is drafted by nationality and period, not limited to tourism in the published text; business visits are generally treated as visitor travel. Any work requires a work permit. Confirm business-visit scope with the High Commission if in doubt.13

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Passport validity

At least 6 months beyond arrival date, with at least 1 blank page (eTA portal FAQ); UK FCDO says at least 2 blank pages. Carry 2 blank pages to be safe.45

Confirmed on an official government source

How to apply

No application needed for South Africans for stays up to 90 days. The only official eTA portal is etakenya.go.ke (fees for those who need it: USD 30 standard, USD 20 transit). Ignore third-party 'Kenya eTA' sites that charge South Africans for an authorisation they no longer need.124

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

Not applicable for visits up to 90 days. For longer stays or permits: Kenya High Commission, Pretoria, or the Directorate of Immigration Services in Kenya (immigration.go.ke).6

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Travel insurance

In flux. A Health Ministry Gazette Notice (signed July 2026) required non-Kenyans visiting for under 12 months to hold travel health insurance with at least USD 50,000 cover; the High Court (Justice F. R. Olel) suspended its implementation by interim orders around 25 August 2026, with a hearing set for 16 September 2026. Outcome of that hearing not confirmed in sources checked. Not currently enforced as far as found; buy cover anyway.789

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Return or onward ticket

Not published by official sources

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

Not published by official sources

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

Kenya: yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a yellow-fever transmission-risk country (FCDO); not required for a direct trip from South Africa. South Africa: Kenya IS on South Africa's yellow fever risk list, so South Africans (and everyone over 1 year) returning from Kenya, or transiting Kenya for more than 12 hours, must present a valid yellow fever certificate on arrival back in South Africa (vaccinate at least 10 days before travel). Ebola-related enhanced health screening was in place at Kenyan entry points per FCDO (Sept 2026).510

Confirmed on an official government source

Arrival forms

The eTA portal states that all travellers must submit information prior to departure, but its exemption pages and the 2025 rules exempt South Africans from the eTA itself; no separate pre-arrival form for exempt nationals was found. Re-check the portal before travel.14

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Extending your stay and overstaying

Not published by official sources

Transit

Passengers in transit who do not leave the airport precincts are exempt from the eTA. Transit eTA fee (for those who need one) is USD 20.12

Confirmed on an official government source

Travelling with children

Not published by official sources

What changed

25 August 2026High Court issued interim orders suspending the visitor health insurance mandate; hearing set for 16 September 2026. Further litigation over the 14 insurers selected was reported. Final outcome not confirmed.
30 July 2026Gazette Notice by Health CS Aden Duale made USD 50,000 travel health insurance mandatory for non-Kenyan visitors staying under 12 months.
30 May 2025Legal Notice No. 93 (Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules, 2025) exempted most African nationals, including South Africans, from the eTA; South Africans may stay up to 90 days. Published July 2025; travel trade reported SA exemption live by 7 July 2025.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1Republic of Kenya, Electronic Travel Authorisation portal etakenya.go.ke
  2. 2Embassy of the Republic of Kenya, Washington DC kenyaembassydc.org
  3. 4Republic of Kenya, Electronic Travel Authorisation portal etakenya.go.ke
  4. 6Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya immigration.go.ke

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 5UK FCDO (updated 2026-09-04) gov.uk
  2. 10DIRCO, South African High Commission Canberra dirco.gov.za

Commercial

Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies

  1. 3Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (law firm) cliffedekkerhofmeyr.com

News and guides

Leads we check, never the answer

  1. 7The EastAfrican theeastafrican.co.ke
  2. 8The EastAfrican (2026-08-25) theeastafrican.co.ke
  3. 9VisasUpdate visasupdate.com

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book. Spotted something out of date? Report a change.