Kenya has become the first country in the world to abolish visas as a mandatory requirement for all foreign travelers. In an announcement termed “historic, President William Ruto declared that beginning January 2024, Kenya will be a visa-free country.
” It shall no longer be necessary for any person, from any corner of the globe, to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya,” President Ruto said in his address at Uhuru Gardens.
Visa-free policies are typically limited to tourism or business visits, enabling short stays ranging from 30 to 90 days in a country. It’s essential, however, to note that visitors must possess a valid travel document, like a passport, even when entering a country under a visa-free arrangement.
Under the visa-free policy, travelers will have to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) through a digital platform. Previously, people traveling would pay a visa fee, and this will still continue even with the ETA.
By adopting the ETA, Kenya joins countries such as Canada and the UK, which use the online registration method to allow foreigners into their countries.
In November 2023, the Ministry of Interior, through a gazette notice, announced that the ETA charges would be approximately KES4,600.
Applicants will further be required to fill in their details in a portal, after which a security check will be conducted. This will be followed by a waiting period of up to 14 days to confirm whether or not they have been authorized to travel.
This move comes after his announcement in October that, by December, Kenya will be a visa-free country for all Africans. ”By the end of this year, no African will be required to have a visa to come to Kenya. Our children from this continent should not be locked in borders in Europe and also be locked in borders in Africa,” he stated during a speech in Congo-Brazzaville.
Despite security breach concerns and sceptical remarks from Kenyans online, the government is positive that the move will boost tourism activities, diplomatic ties, and business opportunities.
