Your Guide to a Legitimate eTA

Step 1: Check the Sender Email (If Applicable)

In most cases, including after our successful advocacy, your approved Kenya eTA will be emailed directly to you by the official government system. The ONLY official sender is:

donot_reply@ecitizen.go.ke

This is the same email address that sent your initial payment confirmation when you first applied.

Step 2: Locate Your eTA Approval Reference Number

Open the approved eTA document (usually a PDF). Near your photo, you will find a unique eTA Approval Reference Number. This is different from your payment confirmation number.

Example: R9H73N8TY3

Step 3: Verify the Code on the Official Government Portal

This is the most crucial step and the same method airport staff use.

1. On the homepage, find and click the link labeled:
   “Validate eTA. Airport Staff – Check the status of a traveler’s submitted application here”
2. Enter the eTA Approval Reference Number from your PDF (be careful with typing, no extra spaces). You can also search using your passport number.
3. Click Validate.

If your eTA is valid: You will see your travel authorization details displayed on the screen (name, passport info, validity dates).

❌ If no information appears or the system says "Travel Authorization not found," the eTA is not valid for entry. Contact us immediately if you used our service.

Step 4: Understand the Validity Date

After your information appears in the validation tool, carefully check the "Valid Until" date.

How to Find Your Approval Date:

The system shows the expiry date. To estimate the approval date, subtract the validity period from the "Valid Until" date:

• Single Entry: Subtract 90 days.
• One Year Multiple Entry: Subtract 365 days.
• Five Year Multiple Entry: Subtract 1825 days (5 years).

Example: If "Valid Until" is 21 October 2025 on a single-entry eTA, the approval date was approximately 23 July 2025.

Is Your eTA New or an Old One? (Important Check!)

Compare the estimated approval date to your travel history:

• If the approval date is AFTER your last departure from Kenya, it's a new, valid eTA for your upcoming trip. ✅
• If the approval date is BEFORE you last entered Kenya, the system might be showing an old, used eTA. You may need a new one. Contact us if unsure. ⚠️

Step 5: Cross-Check Submitted Information

The details on the approved PDF you received must exactly match the information you submitted in your application. Double-check:

• Full Name: Exactly as on your passport.
• Passport Number: Matches the one you applied with.
• Nationality: Correct.
• Number of Entries: Single or Multiple, as you requested.
• Purpose of Visit: Matches your application (e.g., Tourism, Visiting Friends & Family).

⚠️ If any details are incorrect, contact us immediately.

Step 6: Final Status Check (Optional)

For extra confirmation, you can use your original payment confirmation reference number (from the email you got when you first paid the government fee).

1. Go back to https://www.etakenya.go.ke
2. Click the “Check Status” button.
3. Enter your payment confirmation number.

It should now show a green section saying “Application Status: Approved.”

Final Security Tips

• ! Never trust approvals sent via WhatsApp, Telegram, or unofficial emails.
• ! Only the reference number is needed to verify – never share full documents unnecessarily.
• ! If you're unsure, always verify yourself using the steps above on the official website.
• ! If something feels wrong, trust your gut and contact us.