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 Kenyaportal |
Kenya has abolished visa requirements for all foreign visitors from 1 January 2024, and instead implemented an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system.
Most visitors must obtain an eTA prior to travel unless they are citizens of eTA-exempted countries. [1]
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 Kenya international border crossing points |
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]
Citizens of the following countries do not need an eTA before entering Kenya: [4] [5]
180 days 90 days 60 days |
ID - May enter Kenya with a national ID card in lieu of a passport. [7]
Kenya has signed visa exemption agreements with the following countries, but they have not yet entered into force:
| Country | Passports | Agreement signed on |
|---|---|---|
 Angola [8] | All | 21 October 2023 |
 Indonesia [9] | Ordinary | 21 August 2023 |
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]
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:
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. [17] [18]
