Canadian Refugee Travel Document holders require an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling to Kenya. The Kenya High Commission in Canada confirmed that all Refugee Travel Document holders require an eTA to enter Kenya.

Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services requires visitors to obtain approval before starting their journey. The eTA application requires the traveller to provide their travel document information, photograph, contact details, travel itinerary, accommodation information and payment details. Additional supporting documents may be required depending on the purpose of travel.

The eTA is an electronic travel authorization rather than a traditional visa. However, it is a mandatory pre-travel authorization and the application is reviewed by Kenyan immigration authorities. Travellers may only proceed to Kenya after the eTA has been approved.

For Canadian Refugee Travel Document holders, the Kenya High Commission advised that processing can take up to one month. The official eTA system states that applications are normally processed within three working days but may take longer.

The Canadian Refugee Travel Document may display XXB as the nationality code, identifying the holder as a Convention refugee. When completing the Kenyan eTA application, the information should be entered according to the RTD and the instructions provided by the Kenyan eTA system.

Canadian Refugee Travel Document holders should apply for the Kenyan eTA through the official Kenya eTA website before travelling. Applicants should have their valid RTD, photograph, itinerary, accommodation confirmation and other required supporting documents ready. Because the Kenya High Commission advises that RTD applications may take up to one month, applicants should apply well in advance of travel.

Kenya High Commission in Canada — written confirmation regarding Refugee Travel Document holders and the eTA requirement.