Kenya: Visa waiver delayed, e-Visa still in demand

Despite President William Ruto's announcement in December, theKenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said yesterday, January 2, that policy will remain uncertain until a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system is finalized.

The current visa application process will remain unchanged until the government communicates changes to the ETA system, while the official website has already been launched. The KCAA has announced that travellers from countries requiring a visa should continue to apply for visas as usual until the government announces a program of change for the ETA system. The development and implementation of an ETA system is underway to ensure that all travelers to Kenya are identified in advance.

Kenya has taken the surprising decision to cancel its earlier announcement allowing visa-free entry for international travelers. At an event celebrating 60 years of Kenya's independence from Britain, President Ruto officially declared the elimination of visa requirements for all travellers, in line with his support for visa-free travel across Africa..

At that time, President Ruto sent a welcome message saying: "Kenya has a simple message for humanity: Welcome home!" The recent cancellation of the visa-free entry scheme has led to a significant change in the country's travel policies and raised questions about the reasons for this unexpected change and its potential impact on international visitors and diplomatic relations.

The KCAA has published an update
The KCAA has published an update

Details of the new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system

Taking over from the visa waiver, the ETA will enable Kenyan authorities to obtain advance information from international travelers. Here are its advantages:

  • The ETA will be required for most international travellers once finalized.
  • Pre-identification of travellers before their arrival in Kenya
  • Potential for speeding up the entry process for visitors

As CEO of Visamundi, I am dedicated to facilitating international travel by helping our customers obtain visas worldwide. By staying at the forefront of ever-changing regulations, I ensure that our agency is a trusted pillar in the field of visa services.

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