What to Expect When You Arrive at Nairobi Airport

For many international visitors, Nairobi is the first point of contact with Kenya. Most international flights arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), and knowing what to expect can make your first few hours in the country much easier.

The arrival process is straightforward, but it helps to have your documents ready and understand the main steps before leaving the terminal.

Have Your Travel Documents Ready

Before travelling, check Kenya’s current entry requirements. Most foreign visitors need an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before beginning their journey, although exemptions apply to certain travellers, including citizens of East African Partner States. Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services recommends having a passport valid for at least six months with at least one blank page.

Keep your approved eTA accessible on your phone, and consider saving a copy offline as a backup. The official Kenyan eTA system states that the approved document may need to be shown at departure and arrival points.

Immigration Comes First

After leaving the aircraft, follow the airport signs towards immigration. Have your passport and relevant travel documents ready for inspection.

An approved eTA permits you to travel to Kenya, but it is not the final authority to enter the country. Admissibility is determined at the point of entry by immigration officials.

The amount of time this takes can vary depending on the number of arriving passengers and the circumstances of your arrival, so avoid scheduling an important appointment immediately after landing.

Collect Your Luggage

After immigration, proceed to the baggage reclaim area and identify your luggage from the assigned carousel. Before leaving, check your bags carefully and make sure you have collected everything you travelled with.

If you have connecting travel within Kenya, allow enough time between flights rather than assuming that your international arrival will always be quick.

Be Ready for Customs

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) manages customs clearance for arriving air passengers. KRA states that arriving passengers are required to make the appropriate customs declaration, with Green and Red Channels used depending on whether a passenger has goods to declare.

If you are carrying dutiable or restricted goods, use the appropriate channel and declare them. When you are uncertain, asking a customs officer is safer than making assumptions.