Entry Requirements
A little preparation goes a long way. Before travelling to East Africa, we recommend checking the latest entry requirements, visa regulations and health information for your destination. Select your country below to find all essential travel information at a glance and start your journey well prepared.
Kenya
Update from 13th October 2026
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
All persons, entering Kenya, except Kenyan and East African Citizens, need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This includes infants and children. The ETA must be obtained online using https://etakenya.go.ke/ before start of travel. Travellers can submit their applications up to 3 months prior to the travel date. Upon approval, an ETA receipt containing a reference number will be sent to the email address used during the application. The standard processing time is three working days.
Requirements for the ETA application:
- Passport with at least 6 months validity and one blank page (you will upload or take a photo of it in the process)
- Scan of a passport type photo or webcam to take a selfie
- Arrival and departure details (airlines, flight numbers and you need to upload your flight ticket)
- Accommodation booking confirmation(s) (you also need to upload those)
- Credit card, debit card, Apple pay or other means of payment
- All ETA applications for children below 18 years must include the official Parent/Guardian Consent Form, which you can download here.
Mandatory travel health insurance
Since 6 October 2026, foreign visitors to Kenya have been required to obtain local travel health insurance prescribed by the Kenyan government. A separate policy must be purchased for each traveller, including children and babies. Existing private travel health insurance does not replace this mandatory Kenyan policy.
How to Obtain the Insurance
- Option A: You have not yet applied for your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)
The insurance purchase is integrated into the official ETA application process. Follow the instructions during your online application on the official government website: Kenya ETA Portal.
Important: The insurance purchase does not always work directly within the ETA application at present. If you encounter problems, open the separate eCitizen Insurance Portal and purchase the insurance there. Then return to your ETA application. The system recognises the insurance already purchased through your passport number and allows you to continue with the application. - Option B: You already have your ETA
If your eTA has already been issued, you can purchase the insurance separately through the official eCitizen Insurance Portal. Select “Inbound Travel Health Insurance” and then click “Apply”.
Make sure to use the same passport details as those provided for your ETA.
Yellow fever vaccination
is required if travelling from a yellow fever endemic country, see here.
Tanzania incl. Zanzibar
Update from 13th October 2026
Visa
Travellers, unless exempted (see here) need to obtain a visa online. It takes around 10 working days using https://visa.immigration.go.tz/ Present the printed eVisa to the immigration officer at the port of entry. If you opt for your visa on arrival you have to pay the visa fee of 50 USD for an ordinary visa or 100 USD for a multi-entry visa per person in cash. Children (under the age of 18) who have their own passports need their own visas. Minors who are included on their parent’s or guardian’s passport can be included on their parent’s/guardian’s visa. Travellers need a passport with at least 6 months validity.
Yellow fever vaccination
is required if travelling from a yellow fever endemic country, see here.
Mandatory Travel Insurance
Travellers entering Tanzania should arrange the applicable inbound insurance for their first point of arrival:
Mainland Tanzania: National Insurance Corporation (NIC) via https://inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz
Zanzibar: Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC)via https://visitzanzibar.go.tz
Travelling between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar
A valid NIC or ZIC policy (depending on your first point of arrival) is recognized when travelling between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar without the need to purchase a second policy. Travellers should keep their insurance certificate available throughout their journey.
Ensure to start this process a few days before travel.
Uganda
Update from 15th July 2023
Visa
Travellers, unless exempted (see here) need to obtain a visa online. It takes around 3 working days using https://www.visas.immigration.go.ug/#/apply It is not mandatory but recommended that you print the approval letter that you will receive. The immigration officer at the port of entry will use the barcode in the approval letter for accessing your application, printing your visa and pasting it to your passport. Children (under the age of 18) who have their own passports need their own visas. Minors who are included on their parent’s or guardian’s passport can be included on their parent’s/guardian’s visa. Travellers need a passport with at least 6 months validity.
Yellow fever vaccination
is mandatory.
Payments
It may be difficult to access money. Traveller’s cheques, credit cards and debit cards aren’t widely accepted.
Rwanda
Update from 15th July 2023
Visa
Travellers, unless exempted (see here,citizens of several countries are eligable for free visas on arrival or don’t need a visa) need to obtain a visa online or on arrival. It takes around 7 working days using https://irembo.gov.rw/home/citizen/all_services (choose visa application). Present the printed eVisa to the immigration officer at the port of entry. Children below 16 years don’t need their own eVisa. Travellers need a passport with at least 6 months validity.
Yellow fever vaccination
is required if travelling from a yellow fever endemic country, see here.
Payments
It may be difficult to access money. Traveller’s cheques, credit cards and debit cards aren’t widely accepted.
Travel between the East African Countries
The East African Tourist Visa allows for multiple entries to each Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda – but NOT Tanzania. It is valid for 90 days and cannot be extended. You must obtain this visa from the country that is the first entry point – if this country doesn’t issue a visa on arrival you need to obtain it online.
For travel to Tanzania you need to apply for a separate visa.