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 Kenya portal |
Kenya has abolished visa requirements for all foreign visitors from 1 January 2024, and instead implemented an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system.
Most visitors must obtain an eTA prior to travel unless they are citizens of eTA-exempted countries.[1]
Visa policy map[edit]
| External image | |
|---|---|
 Kenya international border crossing points |
Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)[edit]
From 1 January 2024, citizens of all countries except those listed below must apply for an eTA in advance. Here are some details about eTA application:[2][3]
- Applications can be submitted up to 90 days prior to travel and must be submitted at least 3 days in advance.
- eTA fee is 32.50 USD.
- eTA is good for single entry, but visitors who leave Kenya to other EAC countries may re-enter provided that their eTA is still valid.
- Proof of reservation at the hotel where you plan to stay is required (if staying with friends, an invitation letter is also acceptable).
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if coming from endemic countries.
Exemption[edit]
Citizens of the following countries do not need an eTA before entering Kenya:
ID - May enter with a national ID card.[4]
Citizens of the following countries are exempt from the eTA fee (however, an eTA application is required):[5]
Future changes[edit]
Kenya has signed visa exemption agreements with the following countries, but they have not yet entered into force:
| Country | Passports | Agreement signed on |
|---|---|---|
 Angola[6]
|
All | 21 October 2023 |
 Indonesia[7]
|
Ordinary | 21 August 2023 |
East African Tourist Visa[edit]
On February 2014, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda issued an East African Tourist Visa.[8] The visa fee 100 USD and has no restrictions on nationality. It is a non-extendable multiple-entry 90-day visa that has to be first used to enter the country that issued it.[9]
History[edit]
The San Marino-United Kingdom visa exemption agreement of 1949 was extended for Kenya and San Marino in 1963 and still applies.[10]
The agreement is of symbolic value for Kenyan citizens but does have an effect on San Marino passport holders.
On 30 October 2023, President William Ruto of Kenya declared the forthcoming elimination of visa requirements for all African visitors by the end of the year.[11]
An updated statement was issued during Kenya's 60th Independence Day celebrations on 12 December 2023, wherein the president declared that the decree would be expanded to encompass all countries globally, commencing in January 2024.[12]
Prior to the removal of visa requirements for all countries and the introduction of the eTA program, nationals of the following countries could visit Kenya without a visa for stays of up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted):
1 - 30 days
In addition, the following groups were also exempt from visas:
- Children under age 16, regardless of nationality;
- Passengers in transit, if they do not leave the ship or the international transit area of the airport;
- Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of Brazil, Cuba and Turkey, of diplomatic and service passports of China and Iran, and of diplomatic passports of India, Israel and Nigeria;
- Holders of laissez-passers issued by Africa Re, African Airlines Travel Association, African Housing Fund, African Development Bank, African Union of Broadcasting, African Union, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Desert Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa, Environment Liaison Centre International, European Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, International Labour Organization, International Monetary Fund, International Potato Center, International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa, United Nations and the World Bank;
- Serving members of the British Armed Forces;
- Crew members of aircraft for up to 7 days, and of ships for up to 14 days;
- Owners of private aircraft stopping for refueling without leaving the airport.
Following the introduction of the ETA program, the aforementioned former visa-exempt nationals (excluding ETA-exempt EAC countries) that were previously able to enter Kenya without paying are now required to pay and obtain an ETA prior to arrival in Kenya, which has led to accusations of the Kenyan ETA inconveniencing travellers.[14] In response, the Kenyan government's spokesperson admitted that the ETA had "teething issues", but assured that the issues would "smoothen with time", and promised a review following the ETA program's initial roll-out.[14]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Kamau, Richard (4 January 2024). "Why Kenya has Delayed President Ruto's Visa-Free Entry Directive for Foreigners". Nairobi Wire. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ "Kenya eTA".
- ^ Ekugo, Ngozi (7 January 2024). "Kenya: Step-by-step guide to its new eTA system for foreign nationals". Nairametrics.
- ^ "Frequently asked questions - East African Community".
- ^ "Kenya Gov, Scraps ETA fees for Botswana Citizens".
- ^ "Ruto scraps visa requirements for Angolan citizens".
- ^ "Kenya Extends Visa Free Entry to Holders of Indonesian Passport". Kenya Wallstreet. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ East Africa: Single Visa to Boost East Regional Tourism, All Africa, 6 March 2014.
- ^ "T12-East Africa Tourist Visa". www.migration.gov.rw. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ "Accordi bilaterali con altri Stati - Segreteria di Stato per gli Affari Esteri - Repubblica di San Marino". www.esteri.sm.
- ^ "Kenya to scrap visas for all African visitors by year-end".
- ^ "Kenya to scrap visas for all visitors, president says". Reuters. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ Kenya, Mozambique sign visa waiver to allow free movement of people, Citizen Digital, 21 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Kenya ETA: President Ruto's vision of visa-free entry proves tricky for some". BBC News. BBC. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
External links[edit]
- eTA for Kenya, official website
- e-Visa for Kenya, official website