The British High Commission in Nairobi has issued an advisory confirming that travellers who can currently enter the UK visa-free—including most Kenyan passport holders transiting or visiting for up to six months—must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from 25 February 2026. The notice, published on 29 December, is part of the Home Office’s wider plan to digitise the border and mirrors requirements already phased in for Gulf and Jordanian nationals.
An ETA will cost KES 2,785 (£16) and can be requested via a mobile app or the gov.uk portal. Applications are expected to be approved automatically within minutes, but the embassy advises allowing three working days in case of additional checks. Children will also require their own ETA, though a single adult can submit family applications. Travellers without the digital authorisation will be denied boarding.
![UK Embassy in Kenya Confirms ETA Will Be Mandatory for Visitors From 25 Feb 2026]()
The change does not affect British or Irish citizens, nor those who already hold a UK visa or residence permit. However, it puts the onus on Kenyan corporates, tour operators and HR teams to integrate ETA checks into travel workflows. Airlines serving the UK must upgrade systems to verify ETA validity at check-in, and duty-of-care managers should budget extra time for first-time users unfamiliar with the app.
For mobility managers, the main upside is faster border clearance once the system is fully live, but in the short term the learning curve could generate missed flights and additional support calls. Briefings, how-to guides and early adoption are recommended, especially for high-frequency travellers heading to London on short-notice business.
An ETA will cost KES 2,785 (£16) and can be requested via a mobile app or the gov.uk portal. Applications are expected to be approved automatically within minutes, but the embassy advises allowing three working days in case of additional checks. Children will also require their own ETA, though a single adult can submit family applications. Travellers without the digital authorisation will be denied boarding.
The change does not affect British or Irish citizens, nor those who already hold a UK visa or residence permit. However, it puts the onus on Kenyan corporates, tour operators and HR teams to integrate ETA checks into travel workflows. Airlines serving the UK must upgrade systems to verify ETA validity at check-in, and duty-of-care managers should budget extra time for first-time users unfamiliar with the app.
For mobility managers, the main upside is faster border clearance once the system is fully live, but in the short term the learning curve could generate missed flights and additional support calls. Briefings, how-to guides and early adoption are recommended, especially for high-frequency travellers heading to London on short-notice business.
Source: The Kenya Times
