One of the first emails we get from every accepted student isn’t about the hospital, the accommodation, or even the flight. It’s “Wait, do I need a visa for this?”
The honest answer is that it depends on where your rotation takes you. Our two most common destinations, Kenya and Tanzania, don’t work the same way. Here’s the difference in plain terms, updated for the new rules that came into force in October 2026.
Kenya: An eTA, Not a Visa
Kenya no longer issues the sticker-in-your-passport visa most travelers expect. Since January 2024, it has used an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) instead. This is an online approval linked electronically to your passport rather than a physical stamp.
To get one:
- Apply through Kenya’s official eTA portal before you fly.
- Upload your passport bio page and a passport photo.
- Pay the fee.
Standard processing takes up to three working days, and approval arrives by email. Print it or save it to your phone; immigration officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will ask to see it alongside your passport.
A standard eTA allows a stay of up to 90 days. That comfortably covers most placements; if you’re unsure how long yours will be, see how long a medical elective should be.
Citizens of most African countries are now exempt from the eTA. Check the portal if that applies to you.
Tanzania: A Separate eVisa (and a Different Price for Americans)
If your placement includes a Tanzania rotation or a safari extension across the border, you need a second, entirely separate approval: Tanzania’s eVisa.
- Most nationalities: a single-entry tourist visa for $50, valid for 90 days.
- US passport holders: you can only apply for the multiple-entry visa, which costs $100 and is valid for 12 months. Select “Multiple Entry” on the form even if you’re only visiting once.
Processing takes a minimum of ten working days. That is the detail students most often miss: apply the week before you fly, and you may still be waiting when you land. Build in at least three weeks.
One Approval Doesn’t Cover the Other
Kenya and Tanzania are neighbors, but they are not on a shared visa scheme. Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda do have one, the East Africa Tourist Visa, but Tanzania isn’t part of it.
If your rotation touches both countries, budget for two separate approvals, two separate fees, and two separate lead times. Don’t assume one covers the other. If you’ll cross back into Kenya after time in Tanzania, confirm the re-entry rules for your eTA type before you book.
New in October 2026: Mandatory Travel Health Insurance in Both Countries
Both countries now require a government-approved inbound travel health insurance policy. It sits on top of your visa or eTA, not instead of it.
Kenya: Since 6 October 2026, the eTA portal checks for recognized travel health cover before you can finish your application. If it doesn’t find any, it offers a $44 policy that is valid for a year. You can also buy the policy in advance through Kenya’s eCitizen insurance portal, and it will link to your eTA automatically.
Tanzania: Since 1 October 2026, visitors entering mainland Tanzania need a $44 inbound policy valid for up to 92 days.
- If you enter through the mainland, buy it from the National Insurance Corporation.
- If you enter through Zanzibar, buy it from the Zanzibar portal.
- You only need one policy, based on where you enter first.
Two things to know:
- Your existing insurance probably won’t count. These are separate government entry requirements, so don’t assume your university or credit-card cover will be recognised.
- These policies are not a replacement for proper cover. They are entry formalities. You still need comprehensive travel and medical evacuation insurance, as we explain in our guide to staying safe on a Kenya elective.
We break the Kenya rules down in more detail in our guide to Kenya’s 2026 travel insurance requirement.
Kenya eTA vs. Tanzania eVisa at a Glance
| Kenya eTA | Tanzania eVisa | |
|---|---|---|
| Apply via | etakenya.go.ke | visa.immigration.go.tz |
| Standard processing | Up to 3 working days | At least 10 working days |
| US citizens | Standard eTA | $100 multiple-entry visa only |
| Most other nationalities | Standard eTA | $50 single-entry, 90 days |
| Mandatory insurance | $44 policy, valid 1 year (checked during your eTA application) | $44 policy, valid up to 92 days (bought before arrival) |
| Covered by the East Africa Tourist Visa? | Yes | No |
When to Apply
Don’t start either application until your placement dates are confirmed. Both the Kenyan eTA and the Tanzanian eVisa are tied to fixed entry windows, so applying against tentative dates just means re-applying if anything shifts.
Once your dates are locked:
- Apply for Tanzania first, because it takes longer to process.
- Buy any insurance policies you need.
- Treat Kenya’s eTA as the faster, more flexible final step.
Don’t Forget the Health Paperwork
Entry paperwork isn’t only about visas. Depending on your flight route, you may also need a yellow fever certificate. A long layover in the wrong country can trigger the requirement even if you never leave the airport.
Read our guide to yellow fever, malaria, and the 12-hour layover rule before you book flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) rather than a traditional visa. You apply online before you travel, and standard processing takes up to three working days.
How much is the Tanzania eVisa for US citizens?
US passport holders must apply for the multiple-entry visa, which costs $100 and is valid for 12 months. Most other nationalities pay $50 for a single-entry visa.
Does my Kenya eTA cover Tanzania?
No. Tanzania requires its own eVisa, and it isn’t part of the East Africa Tourist Visa scheme that covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Do I need travel insurance to enter Kenya or Tanzania?
Yes. As of October 2026, both countries require a government-approved inbound travel health policy, costing $44 in each country. You still need your own comprehensive travel and medical evacuation insurance as well.
Questions About Your Rotation?
Our placements team can walk you through exactly what applies to your dates and destinations. Contact us or chat with one of us through the chatbox.