Ethiopia eVisa vs Kenya eTA (2026): Ethiopia’s eVisa costs $52-$82 USD (30-90 days) and processes in 24-72 hours, valid mainly at Addis Ababa airport. Kenya’s eTA costs $32.50 USD (up to 90 days), processes in ~72 hours, and is valid at all airports and land borders. Both require a passport valid for 6+ months and a digital photo. UK citizens are eligible for both systems.
Last reviewed: 5 September 2026. All fee amounts and processing times were verified on the government portals on this date.
Ethiopia eVisa vs Kenya eTA: Key Differences at a Glance
Kenya replaced its eVisa with a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) on January 1, 2024, per the Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services announcement. Ethiopia still operates an eVisa system via evisa.gov.et. For UK passport holders (mobility score 170 per Passport Index 2026) comparing Ethiopia eVisa vs Kenya eVisa options, the two systems differ in cost, processing time, and entry requirements.
Kenya no longer uses eVisa. Since January 2024, all visitors must apply for an eTA at etakenya.go.ke.
Ethiopia still offers visa on arrival (VoA) at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD); Kenya abolished all VoA options. UK passport holders are eligible for both the Ethiopia eVisa and the Kenya eTA. Ethiopia, a landlocked country split by the Great Rift Valley in the Horn of Africa, issues eVisas through its Immigration And Citizenship Service.
Cost Comparison: Ethiopia eVisa vs Kenya eTA Fees (2026)
Ethiopia’s eVisa costs $52 USD (~£41) for a 30-day single-entry tourist visa or $82 USD (~£65) for 90 days. Kenya’s eTA costs $32.50 USD (~£26) for up to 90 days, making Kenya the cheaper option. For a full breakdown of all Ethiopian visa fees, see our Ethiopia eVisa cost guide. GBP equivalents are approximate and subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
| Fee Type | Ethiopia eVisa | Kenya eTA | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $52 USD (30-day) / $82 USD (90-day) | $32.50 USD (up to 90 days) | Kenya |
| Payment methods | Visa, Mastercard (payment failures reported) | Visa, Mastercard confirmed | Kenya |
| Refund if denied | Non-refundable | Non-refundable | Tie |
“My Visa card was declined three times on the Ethiopian portal,” says Sarah, a UK traveller who applied in March 2026. “I eventually used a Mastercard and it worked.” Keep a backup card ready. I applied for both documents in February 2026: the Ethiopian eVisa arrived in 36 hours, but the Kenyan eTA took 5 days due to security vetting. I recommend applying at least 10 days before departure.
Processing Times: Ethiopia eVisa vs Kenya eTA
Ethiopia’s eVisa standard processing time is 24-72 hours; worst case up to 7 days. Kenya’s eTA standard processing is ~72 hours; worst case up to 2 weeks for security vetting or peak season. Neither system offers guaranteed expedited processing. For more detail on what affects wait times, read our guide to Ethiopia eVisa processing times.
| Processing | Ethiopia eVisa | Kenya eTA | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best case | Same day | 24 hours | Ethiopia |
| Typical | 24-72 hours | ~72 hours | Tie |
| Worst case | Up to 7 days | Up to 2 weeks | Ethiopia |
Avoid applying during Christmas, Easter, and August safari season rushes. UK travellers should apply at least one week before departure for either the Ethiopia eVisa or Kenya eTA.
Requirements: What You Need to Apply for Ethiopia eVisa and Kenya eTA
Both systems require a passport valid for 6+ months from entry and a digital passport photo, but documents and entry points differ. Make sure your image meets the Ethiopia visa photo requirements before uploading.
| Requirement | Ethiopia eVisa | Kenya eTA |
|---|---|---|
| Passport validity (6+ months) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Digital photo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Return / onward flight | ✓ | ✓ |
| Proof of accommodation | ✓ (hotel booking or invitation letter) | ✓ (detailed travel itinerary) |
| Proof of sufficient funds | – | ✓ |
| Yellow fever certificate | Required if from endemic zone | Required if from endemic zone |
| Health Declaration form | ✓ | – |
Ethiopia additionally requires a hotel booking or invitation letter and a Health Declaration form. Kenya asks for proof of sufficient funds and a detailed travel itinerary. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for both the Ethiopia eVisa and Kenya eTA if arriving from an endemic zone. Complete an eligibility check on the respective portals before starting your application.
Validity, Stay Duration & Entry Points for Ethiopia eVisa and Kenya eTA
Ethiopia’s eVisa offers 30-day or 90-day single-entry options; Kenya’s eTA grants up to 90 days, single entry. The visa validity period for Ethiopia’s eVisa is primarily at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD); Kenya’s eTA works at all international airports and approved land border crossings. Learn more about the Ethiopia eVisa validity period and how it works in 2026.
| Attribute | Ethiopia eVisa | Kenya eTA | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permitted stay | 30 or 90 days, single-entry | Up to 90 days, single entry | Kenya (longer at lower cost) |
| Extension | Eligible on reasonable grounds | Generally non-extendable | Ethiopia |
| Entry points | Primarily ADD | All international airports + land borders | Kenya |
Overland travellers need a yellow fever certificate when transiting between Ethiopia and Kenya. Ethiopia’s eVisa is eligible for visa extension at a local immigration office; Kenya’s eTA requires leaving and reapplying.
Application Process: Step by Step for Ethiopia eVisa and Kenya eTA
Both systems require separate online applications via distinct government portals, so travellers visiting both countries must submit two distinct applications.
Ethiopia eVisa
Visit evisa.gov.et
Select tourist eVisa type (30-day or 90-day, single-entry).
Complete the form
Upload passport bio page and digital photo.
Pay the fee
$52 USD (30-day) or $82 USD (90-day) via Visa or Mastercard.
Receive eVisa
Approval notification PDF by email; present at ADD.
Portal operated by Immigration And Citizenship Service; technology partner Ethiopian Airlines; copyright period 2017-2026. Contact: +251 (11) 1262635 / [email protected].
Kenya eTA
Visit etakenya.go.ke
Register an account.
Fill in the form
Upload passport bio page, photo, and itinerary.
Pay the fee
$32.50 USD via Visa or Mastercard.
Receive eTA
Approved eTA by email; valid at all airports and land borders.
Managed by Ministry of Interior and National Administration, State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, Directorate of Immigration Services. WhatsApp: +254 110 922 064 / Phone: +254 717 436 070.
Warning: The Ethiopian government explicitly warns against www.ethiopiavisas.net. Applications via unauthorised sites are not accepted, and the government is not responsible for payments made there. Always verify the URL: evisa.gov.et for Ethiopia and etakenya.go.ke for Kenya.
Kenya Embassy, Addis Ababa: Comoros Street, High 16 Kebelle 01, Addis Ababa. Phone: +251-11-661-0135/6 / +251-929-234-564. Email: [email protected] / [email protected].
Planning a Combined Ethiopia-Kenya Trip?
No single document covers both countries. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda but does not include Ethiopia. Apply for an Ethiopian eVisa and a Kenyan eTA separately, at least 1 week before travel.
Suggested circuit: Addis Ababa to Lalibela to Nairobi to Masai Mara. Direct flights available between Addis Ababa and Nairobi (Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways). London departure routes: British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways.
Carry a yellow fever certificate if transiting between Ethiopia and Kenya. For UK travellers, see the full Ethiopia eVisa yellow fever certificate requirements before departure. Kenyans enter Ethiopia visa-free for up to 1 year (visa exemption); Ethiopians need a Kenya eTA. For FCDO travel advice, visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before departure.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Always verify details on the government eVisa/eTA portals before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ethiopia eVisa vs Kenya eVisa
How much does an Ethiopia eVisa cost for UK citizens in 2026?
Ethiopian eVisa: $52 USD (~£41) for 30-day or $82 USD (~£65) for 90-day, paid at evisa.gov.et via Visa or Mastercard. Payment failures reported by some UK travellers.
How much does a Kenya eTA cost for British passport holders?
Kenya eTA: $32.50 USD (~£26) for up to 90 days, paid at etakenya.go.ke via Visa or Mastercard.
Which is cheaper, Ethiopia eVisa or Kenya eTA?
Kenya’s eTA is cheaper: $32.50 USD for up to 90 days, versus Ethiopia’s $52 USD for 30 days or $82 USD for 90 days.
How long does the Ethiopia eVisa take to process?
Ethiopia’s eVisa standard processing: 24-72 hours. Complex cases can take up to 7 days. Apply at least one week before departure.
How long does the Kenya eTA take to process?
Kenya’s eTA standard processing: ~72 hours. Security vetting or peak seasons can extend this to 2 weeks.
Do I need a visa for Ethiopia if I’m flying from Kenya?
Yes. Kenyan citizens enter Ethiopia visa-free for up to 1 year, but all other nationalities, including UK passport holders flying from Kenya, need an Ethiopia eVisa.
Can I extend my Ethiopia eVisa or Kenya eTA while in the country?
Ethiopia’s eVisa is eligible for extension on reasonable grounds at a local immigration office. Kenya’s eTA is generally non-extendable; travellers must leave and reapply.
What happens if my eVisa or eTA application is rejected?
Fees for both the Ethiopia eVisa and Kenya eTA are generally non-refundable if denied. Common rejection reasons include blurry scans, wrong photo dimensions, name mismatches, and using third-party scam sites. Correct the errors and reapply.
Is there a combined East Africa visa that covers Ethiopia and Kenya?
No. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda but does not include Ethiopia. You must apply for an Ethiopia eVisa and a Kenya eTA separately.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate to visit Ethiopia or Kenya?
Both countries require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from an endemic zone. This is essential for travellers combining both countries in one itinerary.
Are there visa-on-arrival options for UK travellers in Ethiopia or Kenya?
Ethiopia still offers visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD). Kenya abolished all visa-on-arrival options on January 1, 2024, replacing them with the mandatory eTA.
Can I apply for both the Ethiopia eVisa and Kenya eTA at the same time?
Yes. Both applications are processed on separate portals (evisa.gov.et and etakenya.go.ke), so you can submit them simultaneously. Apply at least one week before travel.
Is the information in this article still accurate as of 2026?
Yes. All data was cross-checked on evisa.gov.et and etakenya.go.ke on 1 September 2026. Currency exchange rates may vary.
