Kenya has announced that it will lift the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement for citizens of most African countries, making travel easier for the majority of the continent’s population.
The new directive, which was issued by the Kenyan cabinet, comes as part of efforts to boost tourism, promote regional integration, and support the “open skies” policy aimed at facilitating easier travel across Africa.
Under the updated policy, citizens from nearly all African nations will be able to visit Kenya without needing prior authorisation, as long as they are not from Somalia or Libya, which are excluded due to security concerns.
The change will allow most visitors to stay for up to two months without the need for an ETA.
However, citizens of East African Community (EAC) countries, such as Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, will be allowed to stay for up to six months, in line with EAC regulations.
The introduction of the ETA in 2023 had drawn criticism as it was seen by many as a “visa under another name,” as it still required prior online approval for visitors.
While the ETA replaced the traditional visa requirement, it led to a drop in Kenya’s ranking on the Africa Visa Openness Index, where it fell 17 places to 46th out of 54 countries in 2024.
The government has also announced plans for a streamlined process that will allow travellers to receive approval instantly, with a maximum processing time of 72 hours.
However, the exact date for the implementation of this system is still unclear. The cabinet statement added that several ministries will be tasked with proposing guidelines to improve the travel experience at Kenyan airports.
Previously, visitors from over 40 countries, including many African nations, were able to enter Kenya without paying any fees, getting a passport stamp on arrival.
Under the ETA system, travellers were required to apply online and pay a $30 fee at least three days before their trip. The ETA is valid for 90 days.
Despite the earlier criticisms of the ETA, the government emphasized that the new system, which includes enhanced pre-screening and improved security measures, was necessary to vet travellers more thoroughly.
Kenya has been a target for al-Shabab militants from neighboring Somalia, and the government has cited security concerns as a key factor in introducing the ETA.
The new changes are expected to simplify the travel process for many African nationals, while also enhancing security and processing at Kenya’s entry points.
Source-BBC
