Kenya’s visa policy underwent significant changes starting on 1 January 2024, when the country abolished traditional visa requirements and introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system. This new approach streamlines travel for international visitors while ensuring more efficient monitoring and security measures. The system has made it easier for most foreigners to apply for entry, while certain countries remain exempt from the eTA requirement. In this article, we will explore the current visa policy of Kenya, the requirements for eTA, and the list of countries exempt from this system.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
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 USD 32.50.
- 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
Citizens of the following countries do not need an eTA before entering Kenya:[4][5]
ID – May enter Kenya with a national ID card in lieu of a passport.[7]
Future changes
Kenya has signed visa exemption agreements with the following countries, but they have not yet entered into force:
East African Tourist Visa
In February 2014, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda issued an East African Tourist Visa.[10] The visa fee USD 100 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.[11]
History
The San Marino-United Kingdom visa exemption 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 the end of the year.[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]
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.[16] 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.[16]
On 30 May 2025, the ETA program received significant amendments, expanding the list of nationals exempt from obtaining the ETA to most African nationals (except nationals of Libya and Somalia), as well as other countries that were previously visa-exempt prior to the introduction of the ETA program.
