Kenya eTA Extension
Getting an eTA for Kenya lasts for 90 days. However, considering the fact that the country is magnificent with lots to see, tourists wish to stay longer.
Kenya’s tourism sector shows gradual development over the past 40 years. Foreigners visit Kenya for various reasons, may it be for tourism and business purposes. One of the country's best highlights is the prosperous wildlife that attracts a large number of tourists over the past years. Tourism generates more jobs for the locals, and the government sees it as an opportunity to invest in travel services. Hence, the acquisition of travel authorization gets a lot easier. Kenya Ministry of Foreign Affairs also grants extension for existing Kenya eTA holders.
Getting a eTA extension for Kenya can allow visitors to stay for another 90 days making their tour of as long as 180 days. Getting the extension is an easy process that involves sending a few documents to the Immigration Headquarters in Nairobi or the Immigration Office in Mombasa.
The Kenya tourist eTA cannot be extended for more than another 90 days, the original 90 days plus additional 90 days that are granted with the extension. In case you leave the country and wish to apply again, you can apply quickly. Since this tourist eTA is a Single Entry Kenya eTA, it will expire once you exist the country before your 90 days are up.
Note: If you need to stay in Kenya longer than the extension period, you may visit Kenyan Consulate and embassy for further details.
Applying for a eTA Extension
The Republic of Kenya implements a hassle-free extension for foreign nationals who currently hold unexpired eTAs. Instead of going to Consulate or embassy, the government transitioned the application through an online portal. Immigration would not like to risk the safety of the applicants by long queues that could make them vulnerable to COVID-19. They aim to bring convenience to anyone who would like their eTA extended until the 31st of July.
The application form of Kenya eTA extension looks exactly like the original application form. You must disclose personal information, passport details, travel itinerary, and purpose of travel. It takes only a few minutes to fill the form by answering some basic questions. If you wish to stay longer in Kenya, you will need a study or work eTA, which is different in nature. This type of eTA has to be obtained from a consulate or the embassy. The process is different and the documentation is different that requires admission letters – for study eTA and job offer letter - for work eTA.
eTA Extension in Nairobi or Mombasa
The applicants applying for a eTA extension can get it by visiting the offices in Nairobi or Mombasa. Provided that the applicant has all the required documents, the eTA extension is granted on the same day when applied. Validation and approval may take a few hours, but results get released on the same date. Both the offices are open at normal office timings from Monday to Friday dealing with clients.
The applicant can also get a eTA extension from one of the smaller immigration offices in Kisumu, Malindi and Lamu. However, most applicants are referred back to the Nairobi or Mombasa immigration offices since these are the main immigration offices. In some cases, if the application is simple without any missing documents, the smaller offices can handle the case.
eTA Extension Requirements
The applicant first needs to fill the online application form for Kenya eTA extension and then pay the fee online. This fee varies according to the dollar rates and the type of eTA application. The applicants will be required to bring along two passport size photos, which should not be older than 6 months. The passport is also required since the immigration agent will put a stamp of eTA extension on the passport.
Applying for the Kenya Tourist eTA Extension
Those applicants who wish to extend their eTA without going through the process can leave the country and get a new eTA. This is possible by simply crossing the border and going to Tanzania or Ethiopia and getting a new eTA from there. Since the eTA application is online, this can be done within a few hours. The applicant will be required to enter Kenya only through the main points of entry with a valid Kenya eTA.
However, if the applicant wishes to apply for a eTA extension, the application process is quite simple. The applicant only needs to fill the online application form, which takes only 10 minutes. This application will require the applicant to provide important information like name, address, date of birth, passport number and its expiry. The form will also ask for the applicant’s travel plans.
There are a few more questions for the applicant regarding health and security, which must be answered with honesty. All the information provided by the applicant will be screened so ensuring accuracy in filling the form is essential.
Note: The Director of Immigration Services in Nairobi, Deputy or Regional Immigration Heads in Kisumu, and Deputy or Regional Immigration Heads in Mombasa has the right to approve and deny the entry or extension of foreign visitors.
Time for Kenya eTA Extension
The normal time for a eTA extension for Kenya is about 48 hours. It is convenient for the applicants to apply for an extension at least two weeks before it expires. In order to ensure timely extension on the eTA, the applicant must make sure that the form does not contain any misinformation or errors. The process can be delayed if there are typing errors or wrong numbers mentioned on the application form. Most applications are processed within 24 hours provided that the application is error free and accurate in every way.
Note: Kenyan eTA Extension processing fee has no option for a refund after submission, whether the application gets denied or approved.
Requirements When Applying for a Kenya eTA Extension
When applying for a Kenya tourist eTA extension, all the applicant needs is a valid passport. The expiry date on the passport must have at least 6 months remaining. The applicant also needs a debit or credit card to make the payment for the eTA extension since the fee will be made online on the spot. The applicant will also need a valid email address since the eTA extension will be received on the email address provided in the application. Lastly, all the sections of the application form must be duly filled without any missing information.
Additional Requirements Due To Covid-19
Kenya Health Declaration Form is an additional requirement to get your eTA extended available online. The applicant who petitions for an extension has to disclose the following:
- Medical and health condition
- Travel history for the last fourteen days in Kenya
FAQs:
Kenya is a captivating destination for travellers motivating the tourists to stay longer than the 90-day limit of their eTA.
eTA Extension is a safe option for every traveller to stay in Kenya beyond their eTA validity period. In some cases, the traveller miscalculates the number of days they would spend in Kenya or meets any unexpected circumstance. In all such cases, the foreigner can avail of the opportunity of eTA Extension.
Kenyan Authorities facilitate the possibility of eTA extension to their visitors who already have their visiting passes and want to extend their stay only.
A traveller must be possessing his eTA before he applies for a eTA extension.
If you want to apply for a Kenyan eTA extension, you need to follow a series of steps. The procedure seems straightforward and would take a few minutes only, provided you follow the steps carefully.
Here are the required steps:
- You first need to create your account by filling out all the formalities.
- Fill the online application form comprising of a series of basic questions. It would just take a few minutes to fill this form.
- Take the print out of the form at the end of the application for the Visitor's pass extension. Or, if you want to reprint your application form, you can do it this way.
- Now, you can present your application with all the required documents at the Immigration Counter at Nyayo House, Nairobi.
The Immigration Counter is responsible for processing your application. You will receive updates about the progress of your application on your email automatically.
For extending the Kenyan eTA, you must possess the following documents:
- Your original Visitor's pass and its copy.
- A copy of a valid passport
- A completely filled and signed online application form
If your eTA is going to meet its expiry soon, without wasting time, you should apply for a eTA extension by filling out the online application form and submitting it at the nearest immigration office in Kenya. This way you can continue your stay. You do not need to worry about any reporting obligations, penalties or charges.
You can renew your eTA for a maximum of 180 days by applying online for a eTA extension for which you must be having your eTA pass and passport with you. Alternatively, you may leave the country and cross the border to the nearest place, including Tanzania or Ethiopia. You can apply for your eTA outside Kenya, get your eTA and re-enter Kenya in the minimum time.
After filling the online application, you need to pay the eTA fees online using a debit or credit card before finalizing the application. The fee payment method is safe and secure.
The fee for eTA Extension is USD 22 for 3 month.
Kenya makes it possible for the visitors to obtain a Kenya eTA extension by applying at the Immigration Headquarters in Nairobi. The Kenyan single-entry eTA extends up to 90 days, enables the visitors to stay for 180 days in Kenya.
If you want to stay in Kenya for longer than 180 days, you should obtain a longer-term eTA such as a work or study eTA.
The maximum allowed days to stay in Kenya under eTA extension for a single-entry eTA is 90 days. Therefore, if you obtain a Kenyan eTA and then apply for a eTA extension, you can stay for a total of 180 days in Kenya.
Note:
Take care of the following points to avoid any disturbance, rejection or delay in the processing of your eTA extension application.
- If you have submitted an incomplete application, it will not be accepted.
- If you provided false or misleading information, authorities consider it an offence, and you can become subject to punishment according to law.
- You must submit the application print-outs to the Immigration Headquarters or nearest immigration offices.
Travelers have to visit the Immigration Office in Mombasa or the Immigration Headquarters in Nairobi to request a eTA extension. Both offices are open on weekdays during office hours. They have the option to extend their eTAs for another 90 days during their stay in Kenya.