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Inbound Travel Health Insurance

A service of the Insurance Regulatory Authority

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Heading to Kenya? Get your health cover before you arrive.

Non-Kenyan visitors need Inbound Travel Health Insurance to enter Kenya. It covers you for 90 days at accredited hospitals across all 47 counties, and takes just a few minutes to complete.

Officially Mandated Inbound Travel Health Insurance Providers

In accordance with Gazette Notice No. 11492, Vol. CXXVIII, No. 129 (30 July 2026), all travellers to Kenya are REQUIRED to have valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under IRA. Get Inbound Travel Health Insurance from the official site to enjoy a cumulative policy benefit limit of up to US$50,000.

WHAT IS COVERED

Inbound Travel Health Insurance Policy Benefits

Emergency Medical Transportation

Serious medical emergency that requires evacuation to a different medical facility or back to your home country, travel health insurance covers the costs associated with medical evacuation.

Limit: USD 25,000

Medical Expenses

If you require hospitalization during your trip due to an illness or injury, travel health insurance covers the costs of hospital stays, surgeries, and other necessary medical treatments.

Limit: USD 20,000.00

Prescribed Medicines

Travel health insurance reimburses the cost of prescription medications prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner during your trip.

Limit: USD 300.00

Repatriation of Remains

In the unfortunate event of death while traveling, travel health insurance covers the costs associated with repatriating your remains to your home country.

Limit: USD 5,000.00

Mental Illness

Travel health insurance typically includes access to 24/7 emergency assistance including mental illness.

Limit: USD 1,000.00

Peace of Mind

Ultimately, travel health insurance offers peace of mind, knowing that you are financially protected and have access to necessary medical care in case of unexpected health issues while traveling abroad.

Priceless

who needs it

Do you need Inbound Travel Health Insurance?

Statutory requirement under Section 26(6) of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 and Gazette Notice No. 11492. Every traveller must hold an individual policy certificate, including minors and dependents.

MANDATORY

COVER REQUIRED

The following categories must purchase the inbound policy:

A non-Kenyan visiting for less than 12 months (tourism, business, conference, or family short-stay).

Traveling as a family or organized group (each child above 3 years needs their own individual policy).

A national of an African country outside the East African Community (EAC), even if you enter Kenya without an eTA.

Exempt categories

COVER REQUIRED

The following categories are exempt from purchasing the inbound policy:

Kenyan citizens and holders of Valid Kenyan Residence Status

Citizens of East African Community (EAC) Partner States

Persons seeking asylum

Holders of diplomatic, official and service passports

Members of any ship, aircraft, train, vehicle or carrier, where they either hold valid health insurance cover provided by their employer or remain within the port of entry for the duration of their stay. Crew members relying on employer-provided cover should present proof of that cover on request;

Transit passengers who do not seek entry into Kenya.

how to apply

How to apply for Inbound Travel Health Insurance

Travellers that require eTA

Nationalities that require electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before visiting Kenya shall be prompted to purchase cover as part of the eTA application.

Travellers that are exempt from eTA

Not needing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) does not exempt you from insurance. If you do not belong to any of the exempt categories, you must purchase this inbound travel health policy before boarding your flight to Kenya.Buy standalone coverage directly on the official eCitizen government portal following the steps below:

1

Access the Inbound Travel Health Insurance Portal directly

Navigate to insurance.ecitizen.go.ke from any mobile or desktop browser.

2

Select nationality & applicant type

Indicate whether applying individually or adding multiple family members.

3

Scan passport bio-data & live selfie

Upload high-resolution photo of bio page for instant OCR verification.

4

Provide contact & travel schedule

Enter arrival date, planned county destinations, and emergency contact.

5

Review quote & download PDF policy

Pay amount and get your digital policy in your email instantaneously.

Get Cover

Exempted EAC Nationalities

Please Note

Exemption from the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) requirement does not, by itself, confer exemption from travel health insurance. Nationals of African countries outside the EAC who are exempt from eTA must comply unless they fall within another exempt category.

Travellers or tourists entering Kenya with refugee status are not exempt on that basis. Stateless persons are not exempt on that basis.

UGANDA

Uganda
Rwanda

RWANDA

SOUTH
SUDAN

South Sudan
Kenya

KENYA

DR Congo

DR CONGO

Burundi

BURUNDI

Tanzania

TANZANIA

ENTRY CLEARANCE

Before you arrive in Kenya

Valid passport

Valid for at least 6 months with blank page

eTA authorization

Apply official authorization at etakenya.go.ke

If required

Travel health insurance

Required from 5 October 2026. Instant border verification pass.

Mandatory

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Non-Kenyan visitors intending to enter and remain in Kenya for less than 12 months are generally required to have the cover, subject to applicable exemptions.

The listed exemptions include Kenyan citizens, residents, East African citizens, refugees, stateless persons, diplomats, and transit passengers.

Yes. The Inbound Travel Health Insurance is a separate statutory requirement. You may retain your existing travel insurance as well.

Yes. Every traveller must have their own policy. Family and group policies are not available under the programme.

The premium is up to USD 44 per person. It includes the applicable statutory insurance levies and stamp duty, with no separate administration charges payable by the traveller.

The policy covers a period of up to 12 months and allows multiple entries during that period.

Cover begins only after the full premium has been paid and the policy has been issued. Travellers should purchase the insurance before travelling.

A full refund is available if the policy is cancelled before the start of travel. No refund is payable once a claim has been made. If a trip is postponed within the 12-month period, the cover dates may be amended.

Purchase the cover through the official electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) process on the eCitizen portal. Use only official channels.

Yes. You can select from the approved and accredited insurers participating in the programme. The prescribed benefits, limits, and premium are the same across participating insurers.

You will receive electronic confirmation of insurance after payment. Keep it accessible throughout your visit. If you lose access to it, contact the claims administrator on +254 719 044 777 for assistance verifying your policy.

The maximum cumulative benefit is USD 50,000 per insured person, comprising:

  • Medical expenses, including personal accident cover: USD 20,000
  • Emergency medical transportation and evacuation: USD 25,000
  • Repatriation of mortal remains: USD 5,000
  • Treatment for mental illness: USD 1,000
  • Prescribed medicines: USD 300

The limits apply per traveller and are not shared across a family or group.

Key exclusions include pre-existing medical conditions unless specifically accepted, elective or routine care, normal pregnancy and childbirth, vaccinations, medical check-ups, cosmetic procedures, and treatment after the policy expires. Other exclusions also apply; travellers should consult the policy wording for full details.

Treatment is available at accredited healthcare providers across all 47 counties in Kenya. Treatment at an accredited provider is cashless, subject to the policy terms, benefit limits, and authorisation process. Carry your passport and electronic proof of insurance.

Call the programme’s 24-hour assistance line at +254 719 044 777 for emergencies, evacuation, pre-authorisation, and general assistance.

You can also dial *202*15# from a local mobile line and select Find Hospital to locate an accredited facility.

Travel with absolute peace of mind

Ready for your Kenya safari, coastal getaway, or business conference? Acquire your statutory clearance in a few taps and receive your verified entry certificate immediately.