Kenya has received 9,787 Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) applications since the new system launched earlier this month requiring the pre-approval of foreign visitors, according to a government statement Sunday. Of those applications, 4,046 have already been processed while the remainder are undergoing expedited review.
The ETA system went into effect in January, replacing visa requirements for travelers to Kenya. Citizens of East African Community member countries are exempt.
Julius Bitok, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, said in the statement that the ETA system aims to boost tourism and foreign investment by promoting open and easy access to the country.
The $30 ETA fee provides equal treatment for visitors of all countries, compared to the previous $50 visa fee that only applied to some nations, Bitok said. The system also allows the government to collect advance passenger details for security and planning purposes.
Processing of ETA applications is completed within 72 hours, a significant improvement over the 14 days required previously for travelers from some countries to obtain visas. The government has set up a 24-hour ETA service desk to assist applicants.
“This will ensure clients are promptly attended to irrespective of the hour while also taking into consideration the different time zones across the world,” Bitok said.
The ETA system delivers four major benefits, according to Bitok’s statement: equal treatment and reduced fees for all foreign nationals, collection of passenger data to inform government decisions, faster application processing, and dedicated customer support.
“We will continue to review and refine the ETA system to align it with our clients’ convenience and to support our commitment to make Kenya a natural home for visitors and investors,” Bitok said.
With the ETA in place, the government is “proud to declare to the world: ‘Welcome Home!'” Bitok said.
The online ETA application can be submitted at www.etakenya.go.ke for the $30 fee.
Bitok said the high number of applications received so far shows strong interest in travel to Kenya under the new streamlined ETA system. The government is reviewing and processing the submissions as quickly as possible to accommodate visitors planning upcoming trips.
