Kenya: Travel Health Insurance Requirement Implemented

As of October 6, 2026, all travelers to Kenya must obtain travel health insurance through the government-sanctioned provider prior to entry and must present proof of coverage upon arrival. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) portal (for ETA-eligible nationals) and the eCitizen portal (for non-ETA-eligible nationals) have been updated with this requirement. The insurance costs approximately USD 44 and is valid for one year, including for repeat trips to Kenya during the insurance policy's validity period. 

Previously, travelers could rely on private or employer-provided health insurance and did not need to provide proof of coverage before entering the country. 

This change will not affect the above applicants' processing times. However, travelers should obtain the required insurance before traveling to avoid delays or bars to entry.  

Notably, Tanzania recently adopted a similar mandatory inbound travel insurance requirement, potentially signaling an emerging trend in the East African region. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.