Get a TRA licence for a hotel, guest house, villa, homestay or Airbnb (Class A)
Tourism Regulatory Authority · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Apply online on the TRA Licensing Portal (licensing.tra.go.ke) or eCitizen, upload your business papers, pay on eCitizen and get your premises inspected. Hotels, guest houses, villas, serviced apartments, homestays and private homes let to guests all need a TRA licence.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- How long
- About 14 working days for a new licence
- Deadline
- Renew three months before the licence expires
- Where
- Online only, on the TRA Licensing Portal (licensing.tra.go.ke) or through eCitizen. Payment is on eCitizen.
What you need
- Certificate of business registration or incorporation
- Airbnb and short-term rentals: business registration (sole owner or partnership) or certificate of incorporation (company)
- CR12 (for a company) and/or ID copies of the directors
- KRA PIN certificate of the business
- Hotels, villas, lodges and similar: CV and professional certificate of the manager
- Homestays: ID copy of the home owner, KRA PIN and certificate of good conduct
- Foreign-owned businesses: entry or work permits of the directors
- Beach hotels, lodges, camps and similar: an EIA or environmental audit
Steps
- Create an account on the TRA Licensing Portal (licensing.tra.go.ke) or use your eCitizen account.
- Fill in the licence application online and upload the documents for your type of accommodation. Paper applications are not accepted.
- Pay the licence fee through eCitizen.
- TRA inspects your premises. Have your health clearance certificate, food handlers' medical certificates, OSHA permit, lease or title deed, staff list and insurance ready.
- Renew at least three months before your licence expires.
Watch out
- Renting out your own house or flat to guests (for example on Airbnb) still needs a TRA licence.
- Renewing late costs 10% of the licence fee for every month you are late.
- A licensed hotel or guest house may also have to register for the 2% tourism levy with Tourism Fund.
Who can apply
- Anyone running a hotel, villa, serviced apartment, guest house, homestay, lodge, camp, cottage, hostel or similar place where guests stay.
- This includes private homes rented out to guests, such as Airbnb units.
Official sources (6)
- Licensing - Class A tra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- TRA Licensing tra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Public Notice: 2026 Tourism Licence Applications & Renewals Now Open tra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- TRA Service Charter (English, July 2026) tra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Tourism Levy tourismfund.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- TRA Licensing Portal licensing.tra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026