Kenya Introduces Mandatory Travel Health Insurance for Foreign Visitors

Foreign travellers planning to visit Kenya will be required to hold valid travel health insurance covering their stay in the country.

Kenya’s Ministry of Health has clarified that travellers may use insurance purchased in their home country, provided the policy meets the minimum coverage requirements set by the Kenyan authorities.

Travellers who require a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) will also need to provide proof of compliant travel health insurance, as the requirement is incorporated into the eTA verification process.

Official Kenya Ministry of Health Notice 

Kenya’s Mandatory Travel Health Insurance Requirement

The requirement is based on Section 26(6) of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023.

It applies to non-Kenyans entering and remaining in Kenya for less than 12 months. The Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024, further require the insurance to remain valid for the traveller’s entire stay.

The minimum insurance benefits were published through Gazette Notice No. 11492 on July 30, 2026.

How Much Travel Health Insurance Coverage Is Required?

Foreign travellers must have a policy providing at least the following benefits: 

The US$50,000 amount is the minimum cumulative insurance benefit, not the cost of purchasing the policy.

Travellers should check both the overall policy limit and the individual benefits to make sure their insurance meets Kenya’s requirements.

Can Travellers Use Insurance Purchased in Their Home Country?

Yes.

Kenya’s Ministry of Health clarified on August 7, 2026, that travellers may use suitable travel health insurance obtained outside Kenya.

This may include annual travel insurance, international medical insurance, or another travel policy, provided it meets the prescribed coverage requirements.

Travellers should review their policy documents before departure to confirm that all required benefits are included.

Travel Insurance and the Kenya eTA Application

Travellers who require aKenya eTA will be required to provide proof of valid travel health insurance as part of the verification process.

The Department of Immigration Services is expected to use the eTA system and designated entry points to verify compliance with the insurance requirement.

Current eTA Portal Status

As of August 10, 2026, travel health insurance has not yet been added to the standard document checklist published on the Kenya eTA website.

As the new requirement is being implemented, applicants should check the latest document requirements when completing their eTA application.

Can Kenya eTA Travellers Purchase Travel Health Insurance Upon Arrival? 

Travellers who arrive without suitable insurance may have an option to obtain compliant coverage at a designated point of entry from an authorised insurer.

However, eTA travellers should arrange insurance before departure once insurance verification becomes part of the eTA application, as proof may be required before travel.

What About Travellers Who Do Not Need a Kenya eTA?

The travel health insurance requirement and the Kenya eTA requirement are separate.

Some travellers may be exempt from obtaining an eTA, including certain East African Community nationals, transit passengers, holders of qualifying official travel documents, and other exempt categories.

However, Section 26(6) of the Social Health Insurance Act applies more broadly to non-Kenyans entering Kenya for less than 12 months.

Therefore, travellers should not assume that an eTA exemption automatically means they are exempt from the travel health insurance requirement.

Does Travel Insurance Replace the Kenya eTA?

No.

The two requirements serve different purposes.

A Kenya eTA provides eligible travellers with authorisation to travel to Kenya, while travel health insurance provides medical and emergency coverage during their stay.

An approved eTA does not guarantee entry. Final admission is determined by Kenyan immigration authorities at the point of entry.

Can Immigration Check the Insurance When the Traveller Arrives?

Yes.

Kenyan immigration authorities may verify that travellers meet the travel health insurance requirement at designated points of entry.

Travellers should therefore keep their insurance certificate or other proof of coverage easily accessible while travelling.

Content Disclaimer: This update is based on information available as of August 2026. As Kenya implements the new travel health insurance requirement, procedures and eTA verification rules may change. Travellers should check the latest official guidance before travel.