Kenya has become one of the most sought-after destinations on every intrepid traveller’s bucket list. There are endless reasons to visit Kenya- it boasts everything that an avid tourist would want to enjoy, from viewing hundreds of unique wildlife species inhabiting Lake Turkana to summiting on Africa’s second-highest peak Mount Kenya, go on safari through Kenyan plains to capturing nature at its finest, Kenya has a bit of everything. French citizens would particularly enjoy Kenya because of the incredible natural diversity the place offers, which they cannot explore in France.

If you are a French citizen and want to visit Kenya, it is necessary to apply Kenya eTA from France. Eligible nationals can easily apply for a Kenya electronic eTA and get their eTA delivered directly into their email inboxes within a few days.

However, Kenya has renewed the tourism and travelling guidelines for travellers from around the world, including France. Apart from obtaining a eTA, they must get a Travelers Health Surveillance firm to gain entry permission upon their arrival. The Kenyan government introduced this requirement in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Here are all the updated requirements for the Kenya eTA.

Do French Citizens Require a eTA to Enter Kenya?

Yes, indeed!

Every traveller holding a French passport must possess a valid eTA before travelling to Kenya. If they don’t hold a Kenya eTA, they won’t be allowed to enter the country.

French citizens can apply for an eTA to Kenya by submitting a eTA form. In the form, the applicant will answer several questions, such as full name, parents/spouse name, nationality, residential address, date of birth, occupation, contact number, email address, intended date of entry and departure, passport number, its issue and expiration date, etc. Applying online for a Kenyan eTA is the fastest and simplest way to obtain a eTA. It will just take 15 to 20 minutes to apply.

The government of Kenya has made it incredibly convenient for French travellers as they won’t need to submit piles of papers, wait in queue at the embassy, or go through the confusing eTA interview process. They can apply from the comfort of their office or home and apply through a tablet, desktop PC, laptop, or even their smartphones while on the go. The best thing is that they will receive the eTA in their email, so there’s no hassle of travelling to the Kenya embassy to receive the approved eTA.

Single-Entry eTA:

For French citizens, the most popular Kenyan eTA is the single-entry tourist eTA, which lets travellers stay in Kenya for up to 30 days on a single trip. The eTA remains valid for three months starting from the date of its issuance. However, since it is a single-entry eTA, you can use it to enter Kenya once and not make multiple trips. In case you want to extend the duration of your stay, you will have to apply for a eTA extension while staying in Kenya. It isn’t possible to apply for a Kenya eTA extension from outside of Kenya. Moreover, please note that the eTA can be extended twice only, once for two months and the second time for three months.

Front Cover of France Passport:

Kenya ETA Requirements for French Passport Holders:

The government of Kenya has set particular eligibility criteria for French citizens. If you meet the requirements, only then you can apply for the ETA. Hence, it is essential to fulfilling all the requirements before formally applying for Kenya eTA. Here are the details on what you require to apply for a ETA.

A Valid Passport :

The traveller must hold a valid and up-to-date passport. Your French passport should have a minimum of 6 months validity left from your arrival date in Kenya. Moreover, the passport must have at least one blank page for stamping purposes.

A Digital Photograph :

You must submit a recent, colourized, passport-size photograph with your eTA application form. The photo must not be more than six months old and should present your current appearance.

Travel Itinerary :

You will have to submit details of your travel itinerary, such as accommodation and air ticket confirmation details, booked excursions, destinations you want to visit and activities you want to take part in while staying in Kenya.

An Onward Ticket :

When you arrive at any of the Kenyan border checkpoints, the immigration officer will ask you to provide proof of onward travel, which can be a return ticket to your home country or a ticket/travel permit to enter your next destination.

A Valid Payment Card :

You can only apply for an online ETA if you have a valid debit or credit card because you will need it to pay the ETA fees.

Kenya eTA Processing Time:

The average ETA processing time for French citizens is no more than three business days. However, the processing of your ETA application may take longer if there’s a mismatch of information in your passport and ETA application form. That’s why it is essential to refer to your passport when completing the application form. Never make typo errors or use a different spelling of your name. Ensure the data you have entered on the application form matches the data printed on the biography page of your passport.

Kenya Embassy and Consulate in France