Updated 28 September 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
For a normal short visit, a Kenya visa now costs a Nigerian nothing. Kenya removed its visa and Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) requirement for citizens of almost every African country, including Nigeria. Only Somalia and Libya were left out. Most African visitors can stay for up to two months. The old eTA fee (about US$30 plus charges) now applies only to travellers who are not exempt. You still need a valid passport, a return ticket and proof of accommodation. Check the official portal, etakenya.go.ke, before you travel.
Many Nigerians still search for the Kenya visa fee because, until 2024, Kenya charged visitors for a visa and then for an eTA. The rules have changed twice since then. This guide explains what you need in 2026, what the trip really costs, and where to confirm the rules officially.
How much is a Kenya visa from Nigeria in 2026?
For a Nigerian passport holder on a short tourist, family or business visit, there is no visa fee and no eTA fee. In January 2025, Kenya’s Cabinet announced that visitors from all African countries except Somalia and Libya would no longer need an eTA. It said most African visitors would get a two-month stay, and East African Community citizens would keep their six-month stay. The rules were formally amended on 30 May 2025 to widen the list of exempt nationalities.
| Item | Nigerian passport holders (2026) |
|---|---|
| Visa or eTA needed for a short visit? | No, Nigeria is on the exempt list |
| Visa or eTA fee | ₦0 / US$0 |
| Usual length of stay | Up to two months (EAC citizens get six) |
| eTA fee for non-exempt travellers | About US$30 plus bank charges (reported total US$32–US$34) |
| Work, study or long stays | Need the right permit or pass from Kenya’s immigration department |
Sources: AllAfrica (January 2025 Cabinet announcement), Wikipedia “Visa policy of Kenya” (30 May 2025 amendment), Business.co.ke (7 September 2026) and VisasUpdate (August 2026). Confirm on etakenya.go.ke before travel.
The exemption is for visits. If you plan to work, study, volunteer or stay longer than your permitted period, you need the correct permit or pass. Apply for it through Kenya’s official immigration channels, not through an agent who promises a shortcut.
What you still need to enter Kenya
Being exempt from the eTA does not mean you can board without documents. Airlines and Kenyan immigration officers can still refuse you. According to the September 2026 guidance from Business.co.ke, you should carry:
- A passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date, with at least one blank page. If yours is close to expiry, sort it out first. Our Passport Assist page explains how we can help with the process.
- A return or onward ticket.
- Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking or an invitation letter from your host.
- A yellow fever certificate if you are arriving from, or transiting through, a country with yellow fever risk. Nigeria is one of those countries, so carry your yellow card.
- Enough money for your stay, such as a bank card or cash, plus your host’s contact details.
What about Kenya’s travel health insurance rule?
Kenya’s Health Ministry introduced, by gazette notice, a requirement for foreign visitors to hold travel health insurance with cover of Sh6.4 million, about US$50,000. On 25 August 2026, The EastAfrican reported that the High Court had suspended this rule with interim orders, pending a hearing on 16 September 2026. We could not confirm the outcome of that hearing at the time of writing. Travel insurance is sensible anyway, so check the latest position with your airline or the Kenyan authorities before you fly.
What a Kenya trip from Nigeria really costs
Because the visa is free, your main costs are:
- Flights. This is usually the biggest cost. Expedia shows Kenya Airways running about nine direct Lagos–Nairobi flights a week, taking around 5 hours 15 minutes. Carriers such as RwandAir, Ethiopian Airlines and ASKY offer connecting options. When we checked, Expedia’s lowest fares started at about US$527 one way and US$703 return, roughly ₦700,000 and ₦933,000 at ₦1,327 to the dollar. Fares move with the season and the exchange rate, so compare several dates. Browse our flight deals page.
- Accommodation for the whole stay. You will need to show a booking at the border.
- Yellow fever vaccination, if you do not already have a valid card.
- Travel insurance. Strongly advised even while the mandatory rule is suspended.
- Local transport and spending money in Kenyan shillings or US dollars.
- Airport transfers at home. Getting to and from Lagos or Abuja airport can take hours. See our guide to airport pickup and drop-off in Nigeria.
Planning a trip to Nairobi?
Book travel and airport transfers in Nigeria on Travo, or chat with us on WhatsApp for help planning the journey.
Step by step: preparing for your Kenya trip
- Check your passport’s expiry date. It needs at least six months left from the day you arrive.
- Confirm your status on the official portal. Visit etakenya.go.ke and check that Nigeria is still on the exempt list. Bilateral arrangements can change.
- Book your flights and accommodation, and keep printed or offline copies.
- Get or find your yellow fever card.
- Buy travel insurance and check the latest news on the health insurance rule.
- Arrange transport to the airport. Leave extra time for Lagos traffic.
Avoid Kenya visa scams
- If anyone offers to sell a Nigerian a “Kenya visa” for a short visit, be very wary. You do not need one.
- Only use the official government portal, etakenya.go.ke. Many look-alike websites charge extra “processing fees” for applications that are free or unnecessary.
- Never send passport scans or bank details to social media agents.
- Check any advice you are given, including older blog posts, against the date it was written. The rules changed in 2024 and again in 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Kenya visa from Nigeria?
For a short visit it is free. Nigerians are exempt from Kenya’s eTA and visa requirement, so there is no fee. Only Somalia and Libya were left off the African exemption.
Do Nigerians need an eTA for Kenya?
Not for a normal visit. Kenya exempted citizens of African countries, other than Somalia and Libya, from the eTA in 2025. Confirm on etakenya.go.ke before you travel, in case the list changes.
How long can a Nigerian stay in Kenya without a visa?
Most African visitors are allowed up to two months. East African Community citizens get up to six months. For longer stays, work or study, you need a permit from Kenya’s immigration authorities.
How much was the Kenya eTA fee?
The standard fee for non-exempt travellers is about US$30, plus small bank charges, which bring the total to around US$32–US$34. Nigerians visiting for a short stay do not pay it.
Do I need a yellow fever card to travel from Nigeria to Kenya?
Yes, carry it. A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from, or transit through, an endemic country, and Nigeria is one.
Is travel insurance compulsory for Kenya?
Kenya introduced a US$50,000 visitor health insurance rule, but the High Court suspended it in August 2026, pending further hearings. Check the latest position before you fly. Insurance is a good idea either way.
Related guides
- Shipping from Nigeria to Kenya: cost and process
- How to get picked up at Lagos airport
- Meet and assist services at Nigerian airports
- UK visa fees in Nigeria
- Canada visa fee in Nigeria
Sources: AllAfrica: Kenya eTA exemptions for African countries (January 2025); Wikipedia: Visa policy of Kenya (viewed 29 Sep 2026); The EastAfrican: court suspends visitor health insurance (25 Aug 2026); Business.co.ke Kenya eTA guide (7 Sep 2026); VisasUpdate (Aug 2026). This guide is for general information only. Official portal: etakenya.go.ke. Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
