Kenya: New Visa Waiver for All Nationals; Electronic Travel Authorization Required for Some

• Visa waiver details. All foreign nationals, regardless of nationality, can now enter Kenya without a visa for tourism or business travel for stays up to 90 days, as of January 1, 2024.
• ETA requirement. All foreign nationals seeking to enter Kenya (except EAC nationals – which currently includes Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda; and eventually will include the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, when their applications to join the EAC are ratified, the date of which has not been published) must obtain an ETA online prior to travel. Note that Kenyan nationals do not need an ETA.
  • Cost. The ETA costs USD 30. Payment is made on the online platform.
  • Required documents. All travelers requiring an ETA will need to present (among other documents and information) a passport valid for at least six months after the date of arrival into Kenya with at least one blank page; accommodation booking confirmation(s), and personal information. Some applicants may need to present proof of their financial assets and proof of scheduled exit, among other documents. Business travelers must present an invitation letter from the inviting company and a copy of the company’s government registration document.
  • Processing time. Most ETAs will be granted within three business days, though it can take longer (based on the applicant’s country of citizenship and other factors). Expedited processing is available at an extra cost.
  • Issuance process. Applicants will receive an email confirming the issuance of their ETA, and they must print it and present it to immigration officers on arrival or save it on their related mobile app.
• Entry requirements for EAC nationals. EAC nationals, who are exempt from the ETA requirement, only need to present their passport or relevant travel document to enter Kenya.
• Validity. Unlike other ETA programs where ETAs are valid for a number of years (such as those in Canada or the United States), this ETA is only valid for one trip and affected travelers must obtain a new ETA for each visit to Kenya.
• Travel with e-visas. Travelers who obtained an e-visa prior to the launch of the ETA can travel on those visas as long as they are valid. The e-visa platform will be decommissioned since there are no longer any visa nationals for Kenya.

ETAs are growingly becoming a common requirement globally in countries that utilize visa waivers, as a way for the government to track and monitor the entry and exit of visa-exempt nationals. The United Kingdom most recently implemented a similar requirement for Qatari nationals, and it will expand progressively.

Though foreign nationals will now benefit from visa-free entry to Kenya for tourism and business trips up to 90 days, travelers should be aware of the ETA requirement and be sure to apply at least three days before their trip to ensure they have the proper entry information.

Fragomen expects the authorities in Kenya to monitor the implementation process of the ETA on tourism and investment and to resolve relevant issues. Additionally, issues such as the validity of the ETA and processing fee are expected to be revisited. We will report on related developments.