🇰🇪 Kenya visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for Kenya — a quick online approval, not a full visa.
Entry rules for South Africa passport holders
Kenya requires South African visitors to register online for an electronic travel authorization before departure. An eTA is lighter than a visa — approval is usually issued within minutes to hours — but airlines will deny boarding without it, so complete it before heading to the airport.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the official Kenya immigration authority or your nearest embassy before booking.
How this compares
The South African passport ranks #96 worldwide, opening 98 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (60 visa-free, 33 with a visa on arrival and 5 with an eTA). Kenya is one of them.
In the other direction, Kenyan citizens traveling to South Africa face a different rule: visa-free · 90 days.
Across Eastern Africa as a whole, 14 of 16 destinations are open to South African travelers without arranging a visa in advance.
About Kenya
- Capital
- Nairobi
- Region
- Eastern Africa
- Currency
- Kenyan shilling (Sh)
- Languages
- English, Swahili
Planning a trip to Kenya?
- Compare flights →
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Frequently asked questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for Kenya?
South African citizens need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for Kenya — a quick online approval, not a full visa.
Can South African citizens apply online for entry to Kenya?
Yes. Kenya offers an online electronic travel authorization (eTA) for South Africa passport holders. Apply through the official government portal before your trip.
What currency is used in Kenya?
The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan shilling (Sh). The capital city is Nairobi.
Is this information up to date?
Current status: eTA required for South African citizens traveling to Kenya. This page is built from the open Passport Index dataset, which was last updated on 2025-01-12. Visa rules can change between dataset updates, so always confirm with the Kenya embassy or immigration authority before booking.
More of Africa for South African passport holders
Going the other way? South Africa visa requirements for Kenyan citizens →
Source data last updated 2025-01-12.