Kenya welcomes more than two million international tourists each year, including many from Switzerland. Kenya is a wonderland for all travelers. This East African destination is the perfect place for adventure seekers of all kinds. You can discover the syncretic culture of the country while enjoying one of the best safaris in the world.
Swiss nationals need an eTA to travel to Kenya. Conveniently, Swiss passport holders can now get the essential entry permit online. The Kenya eTA application takes only a few minutes to complete. The process is 100% electronic with no need to visit a Kenya embassy or consulate.
In this page, travelers from Switzerland can find all the necessary information about the Kenya eTA requirements for Swiss citizens.
1. Kenyan eTA is available for Swiss citizens
Despite a brief five-day delay, Kenya announced the arrival of the first batch of overseas tourists using an innovative and efficient admittance process on Friday, January 5.
This method, designed to streamline and quicken the admissions procedure, aims to attract more international tourists and contribute to Kenya's thriving tourism sector.
Although visas are no longer required, travelers who are not East African Community (EAC) nationals must now apply for an ETA online before traveling to Kenya. The government can take up to three working days to process it.
If you are a Swiss national planning a trip to Kenya, you will need a Kenya eTA to enter the country. Depending on your purpose of travel, you can apply for different types of Kenyan eTA.
The Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which was introduced in January 2024, is a new procedure for applying for travel authorization to Kenya online. ETA is intended for single-entry usage and has been applied to a variety of reasons, including tourism, commercial activity, and family visits. It is vital to remember that the ETA is only valid for visiting Kenya and does not allow entrance into other African nations. It supersedes the prior visa process.
However, the Kenyan eTA for Swiss citizens is valid for 90 days in the country for trips related to leisure, tourism, business, employment, family visits, or medical issues. The eTA to Kenya is a single-entry permit.
Swiss nationals in Kenya can extend your electronic eTA for 3 months, bringing the total possible stay to 6 months.
Kenya eTA can be applied for online in a matter of minutes. The application process is designed to be straightforward, fast, and easy to complete. Kenya eTA are linked to your passport electronically.
Swiss travelers should pay attention to the Kenya eTA:
- It is available online.
- Is valid for a period of up to three months from the date of approval/issuance.
- Is a single-entry permit.
2. Kenya eTA Requirements for Swiss Citizens:
The Kenya eTA application process is simple, and Swiss citizens can complete and submit the application in a quarter. Visitors should meet the Kenya eTA requirements for Swiss citizens before beginning the application process.
Basically, the eTA requirements for Swiss citizens are:
- Valid Swiss passport: valid for 6 months after the intended arrival date. In addition, the passport must have at least one blank page for border officials to stamp.
- Email address to receive your approved eTA.
- A recent digital passport-sized color photo of the Swiss applicant on a white background.
- A valid eTA card/Mastercard/American express/Paypal to pay the eTA processing fee.
Other requirements for entering Kenya from Switzerland may include:
- Reservation confirmation from a hotel.
- Proof of onward or return travel (for example your plane ticket).
It would be a plus point for your application to include the Covid-19 insurance. It benefits both the eTA approval and decreases your finance risks.
Once approved, your Kenya eTA will automatically link to your Swiss passport, and a PDF copy will be emailed to you. As a result, if the passport used during the application is damaged, lost, or expires, a new eTA will almost certainly be required.
3. How to apply for Kenya eTA from Switzerland
For Swiss citizens wishing to apply for the Kenyan eTA, you should fill out the online application form. Applying for a eTA for Kenya from Switzerland is simple. Swiss travelers can get an online Kenya eTA from Switzerland in 3 simple steps.
On the way, after submitting the application, we will review your information and give advice if necessary to make sure your materials meet all the standards. So you should keep in mind to check your email regularly to update information and finally receive your approved eTA.
Beside, you can also apply to get a regular eTA at Kenya embassy in Switzerland
4. The Kenya eTA fee for Swiss citizens
Kenya eTA fee is a small expense for an overseas trip. Normally, getting the Kenya eTA from Switzerland takes you two kinds of fee including government and service fee. With the two basic types of fee, you will be guaranteed to receive your Kenya eTA in the following next 3 days.
The government fee will vary depending on the type of eTA you apply for. While the service fee changes depending on the quantity of applications you apply for. In detail, the more applications you order, the better price you receive.
If you need a Kenya entry permit within 24 hours or even 5 business hours, don’t worry, you can enjoy our extra services. Our experts will support you in person to help you solve the problem with a small extra fee.
In addition, we also provide other service packages to help customers have a safe and time-saving trip when coming to Kenya, including Kenya travel insurance, Kenya travel Sim, and Car Pick-up service in Kenya.
Kenya Visa Requirements for Switzerland Citizens FAQs
Can I extend my stay in Kenya for Swiss citizens?
Yes, you may stay in Kenya longer. However, you must seek an extension with the Kenyan Immigration Department. You have up to 30 days before your visa expires to seek an extension.
To apply for an extension, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Your passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the issued date.
- A completed application form: You can download the application form from the Kenyan Immigration Department website.
- A recent photograph: A recent photograph of yourself.
- Proof of onward travel: Proof that you have a valid ticket to leave Kenya.
- Proof of accommodation: Proof that you have accommodation in Kenya for the duration of your stay.
If your extension request is accepted, you will be given a new visa sticker to put in your passport. The new visa sticker will allow you to stay in Kenya for a set length of time.
It is vital to know that if you do not have a genuine cause for remaining in Kenya, the Kenyan Immigration Department may deny your extension request. As a result, it is critical to submit as much proof as possible to back up your request.
Here are some of the reasons why your extension request might be denied:
- You don't have a good reason to stay in Kenya.
- You have previously overstayed your visa.
- You have a criminal record.
- You are considered to be a security risk.
If your extension request is denied, you will need to leave Kenya before your visa expires.
Do Swiss citizens need a visa for Kenya?
Yes, Swiss citizens need to apply for a Kenya visa to enter Kenya. Swiss citizens can obtain many sorts of Kenyan visas depending on the reason for their travel.
On the other hand, the Kenyan eVisa is valid for 90 days in the nation for journeys linked to pleasure, tourism, business, employment, family visits, or medical reasons. It is worth noting that the eVisa to Kenya is only valid for one entry.
Swiss nationals in Kenya can extend their electronic visa for three months, bringing their total stay to six months.
Any trip to Kenya planned by Swiss nationals that exceeds the specified number of days or is for reasons other than those stated above will involve using other types of Kenyan travel permits. These are available through an embassy, consulate, or immigration office.
Is it easy to get a Kenya eVisa?
Yes, it is relatively easy to get an eVisa for Kenya. The application process is simple and straightforward, and the processing time is typically 3 business days.
To apply for a Kenya e-Visa, you will need to provide the following information:
- Your name: Your full name as it appears in your passport.
- Your passport number: Your passport number.
- Your date of birth: Your date of birth.
- Your nationality: Your nationality.
- Your email address: Your email address.
- Your contact information: Your phone number and mailing address.
- The purpose of your visit: The purpose of your visit to Kenya.
- Your travel dates: Your arrival and departure dates.
You must also provide a current image of yourself as well as a scanned copy of your passport.
The Kenyan Immigration Department will email you once you have filed your application. Your evisa number and other crucial information will be included in the email. You should then print a copy of your evisa and bring it with you when you enter Kenya.
Here are some tips for getting an eVisa for Kenya:
- Make sure you have all the necessary information. Before you start your application, make sure you have all the necessary information, such as your passport number and date of birth.
- Double-check your application. Before submitting your application, ensure you have double-checked all the information. This will help to avoid any delays in the processing of your application.
- Provide a clear photograph. The photograph you provide must be clear and recent. It must also be a headshot that shows your face from the front.
- Scan your passport carefully. The scanned copy of your passport must be clear and legible. Make sure that all of the pages of your passport are scanned.
Can you go to Kenya with a criminal record?
Yes, it is possible to visit Kenya with a criminal record in many cases. This is eventually determined by the gravity of the crime committed, the length of time since the initial offense, and the applicant's behavior since the original offense.
On the other hand, those who have been officially chastised for minor one-time offenses committed many years ago are free to enter the nation. They must fulfill the admission criteria of Kenya.
Individuals with a history of minor offenses can enter the country as usual, but those who have committed severe crimes, either globally or locally, may face difficulties.
Examples of serious crimes: Passengers who have previously committed a major crime may be barred from entering Kenya. This includes violent offenses, sex crimes, and any prior behavior that might jeopardize the country's and its people's safety and security.
Serious offenses that might result in admission denial include, for example:
- Terrorist activity
- Arms smuggling
- Significant financial fraud
- Violent crime
- Drug trafficking
- Sexual assault
People who have a history of committing immigration offenses, such as entering a nation on a false passport or overstaying a visa, may have their visa applications rejected or be denied admission into Kenya.
Do I need a visa for East Africa for Swiss citizens?
The visa requirements for East Africa vary depending on where you are from and which country(ies) you intend to visit. Most nations are required to apply for a visa to enter Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Fortunately, tourists planning to visit Kenya may quickly apply for a Kenyan eVisa online. Visitors no longer need to go to an embassy or apply for a visa on arrival to receive a tourist visa for Kenya.
There is an East Africa Tourist Visa if you want to visit Rwanda and Uganda as part of your journey. Still, most people opt to secure their Kenyan visa independently using the straightforward online method.
Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda have collaborated to create the East Africa Tourist Visa. It permits the holder to visit all three countries with the same visa.
Although visiting numerous countries with the East Africa Tourist Visa might be advantageous, it is only suggested if you are confident that you will visit all three East Africa Tourist Visa nations. The East Africa visa is valid for up to 90 days of tourists in the block (Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda).