- 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.
- Travelers must obtain a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online prior to travel.
Image: FILE
There has been a significant increase in the number of visitors to the country since the introduction of the Visa-free rule, the government has announced.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi noted that the number of visitors between January and March almost doubled compared to the same period last year.
The visa-free regime is managed through an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
“The number of visitors processed through the ETA was 330,000 compared to 188,570 processed through eVisa over the same period in 2023,” Mudavadi said in dispatch after chairing the National Development Implementation Committee (NDIC) at his Railways Headquarters office in Nairobi.
NDIC is a high-level Committee chaired by Mudavadi with Head of Public Service, Felix Kosgei as the Vice-Chairman and Convenor.
All Principal Secretaries are members. This was the first 2024 meeting and the second since last year of the NDIC, which brings together all Principal Secretaries.
Kenya announced all foreign nationals may enter Kenya visa-free as of January 1, 2024.
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.
Travelers must obtain a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online before travel. The ETA costs US$30 and government processing takes up to three business days.
East African Community nationals are exempt from the ETA requirement.
The ETA is only valid for one trip and affected travelers must obtain a new ETA for each visit to Kenya.
The government has created a streamlined entry system to facilitate business travel and increase tourism.
By simplifying and expediting the entry process and offering visa-free travel for all international travelers, the government hopes to welcome additional business interests and boost tourism.
Visa-free travel is the ability to visit a country without having to complete lengthy visa procedures.
Nationals of a country can travel visa-free to another country if the governments of the two countries signed an agreement to that effect, or if the receiving country unilaterally opened its borders.
Visa-free countries often have simplified entry requirements, reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
This simplicity saves tourists time and effort, allowing them to focus on enjoying their travel experience rather than navigating complex administrative processes.