Kenya entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Passport validity (FCDO rule): At least 6 months after the day you arrive
Visa (FCDO): Read the official visa text below
Official source: GOV.UK – Kenya travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 16 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Whether you need a visa and how long your British passport must be valid to enter Kenya, as published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), quoted word for word, with a checker for your dates.
Other passports: Canadian passport · Australian passport · Italian citizens: documenti per italiani
Do I need a visa for Kenya with a British passport?
We quote the FCDO text word for word and do not summarise it: its first sentence has conditions or a wording we do not turn into a one-line answer.
You must apply online for electronic travel authorisation in advance of travel. The local authorities recommend applying at least 2 weeks before your departure.
Travellers who currently hold a visa can continue to travel using their visa until it expires.
For information on work permits and residency, check the Kenyan Department of Immigration requirements.
Official source: GOV.UK – Kenya travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 16 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Passport validity: official text “Passport validity requirements”
To enter Kenya, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 2 blank pages.
Official source: GOV.UK – Kenya travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 16 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Check your passport for Kenya
Schengen rules count your whole trip in the Schengen area: if you visit several Schengen countries, enter the day you first enter the area and the day you leave the last Schengen country.
The check runs in your browser: your dates are not sent anywhere. It applies the FCDO sentence literally (for example “6 months” is counted as the same day of the month 6 months later).
For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.
Blank pages: the official text says “…at least 2 blank pages…”. The checker does not count pages.
Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements
- 16 October 2026: “New information about Ebola screening (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 13 October 2026: “Updated information about travel health insurance requirements for entry into Kenya (See ‘Mandatory Travel Insurance’ on the ‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 9 October 2026: “New information about mandatory travel health insurance requirement for foreign visitors staying in Kenya (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 22 May 2026: “New information about Ebola screening when arriving in country (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 10 December 2025: “New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
Read the full FCDO travel advice for Kenya (safety, visas, health) before you travel.
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Same FCDO rule (6 months after arrival)
and 79 more destinations with the same rule: see all
Passport validity rules for all destinations · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status