Visa policy of Kenya
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 Kenya portal |
Most visitors to Kenya must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to travel.[1] The exceptions are member states of the East African Community, whose citizens are exempt from the requirement.
Visa policy map
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 Kenya international border crossing points |
Visa exemption
With the introduction of the ETA program, citizens of all nations are eligible to visit Kenya without a visa.
The following countries are exempt from applying for an ETA prior to travel to Kenya:[2][3]
Before eTA
Prior to 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):
Also, The following groups were also exempt from visas:[8]
- 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 and 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.
Agreement
- On October 21, 2023,
Angola and Kenya agreed that each other would not require visas and would take steps to implement this as soon as possible.[9] - Visa exemption agreement for holders of ordinary passport was signed with
Indonesia in 21 August 2023 and it is yet to come into force.[10] - Visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic passport was signed with the
United Arab Emirates, but it is yet to come into force.[11]
History
The San Marino-United Kingdom visa waiver agreement of 1949 was extended for Kenya and San Marino in 1963 and still applies.[12]
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 year-end.[13]
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.[14]
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
From 2024, citizens of all countries will need to apply for eTA in advance. However, EAC countries are exempt from eTA.[15]
- Applications can be submitted up to 3 months prior to travel and must be submitted at least 3 days in advance.
- An eTA costs US$30 (approximately Ksh.4,500).
- Proof of reservation at the hotel where you plan to stay is required (if staying with friends, an invitation letter is also acceptable).
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if coming from endemic countries.
Electronic Visa (e-Visa)
From 1 January 2021, all visas to Kenya are issued online and are no longer available on arrival.[16][17]
Before the introducton of the ETA program, visa applications from nationals of the following countries and from stateless people are referred to the Directorate of Immigration Services and may take longer for processing:[2][8][17]
East African Tourist Visa
From February 2014, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda issue an East African Tourist Visa.[18]
The visa costs 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.[19]
See also
References
- ^ Kamau, Richard (2024-01-04). "Why Kenya has Delayed President Ruto's Visa-Free Entry Directive for Foreigners". Nairobi Wire. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ a b Kenyan visa eligibility, eVisa, Republic of Kenya.
- ^ "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Kenya waives visit visa for DR Congo nationals".
- ^ Frequently asked questions, East African Community.
- ^ Kenya, South Sudan abolish visa requirement for their nationals, The East African, 26 July 2021.
- ^ Kenya, Mozambique sign visa waiver to allow free movement of people, Citizen Digital, 21 November 2018.
- ^ a b "eVisa, Republic of Kenya".
- ^ "Ruto scraps visa requirements for Angolan citizens".
- ^ "Kenya Extends Visa Free Entry to Holders of Indonesian Passport". Kenya Wallstreet. 2023-08-21. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
- ^ "Nation - Breaking News, Kenya, Africa, Politics, Business, Sports | HOME". 13 June 2023.
- ^ "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. 2023-12-12. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "Kenya eTA".
- ^ "Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Washington, D.C."
- ^ a b Visa and exemption services, Directorate of Immigration Services of Kenya.
- ^ East Africa: Single Visa to Boost East Regional Tourism, All Africa, 6 March 2014.
- ^ "T12-East Africa Tourist Visa". www.migration.gov.rw. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
External links
- e-Visa for Kenya, official website
- Kenyan visa eligibility, official website