How To Apply For New Travel Requirements After Kenya Abolished Visas

The government has launched the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to facilitate visits to Kenya following President William Ruto's announcement that visitors from around the world will enter Kenya without having to apply for a visa, a historic directive in the country's 60-year history.

Starting January 2024, all travellers will not require a visa to travel to Kenya, with the Head of State remarking that Kenya is considered the cradle of humankind. However, the eTA will instead be used to facilitate entry into the country for foreign travellers.

"To implement this new policy, we have developed a digital platform to ensure that all travellers to Kenya are identified in advance on an electronic platform. All travellers will obtain electronic travel authorisation," he stated during his Jamhuri Day speech on December 12, 2023.

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to a specific country without requiring a traditional visa. It is an electronic form of permission that travellers must obtain before boarding a flight or entering the destination country.

ETAs are often used to streamline the entry process, enhance security, and facilitate easier monitoring of travellers.

Key features of Electronic Travel Authorization include:

1. Online Application: Travelers typically apply for an ETA online through an official website designated by the destination country's immigration authorities.

2. Quick Processing: ETAs are designed for swift processing, often providing approval or denial within a short period.

3. Automated System: The authorization process is usually automated and relies on information provided by the traveller, which is cross-checked against databases for security and eligibility.

4. Validity Period: An ETA is generally valid for a specific duration, allowing the traveller to enter the country within that timeframe. The length of validity varies depending on the country and the purpose of the visit.

5. Multiple Use or Single Use: Some ETAs are valid for multiple entries over a specified period, while others may be single-entry only.

6. Compatibility with Visa Waiver Programs: ETAs are often associated with countries that have visa waiver programs, allowing travellers from certain nations to enter for short stays without a visa.

Normally, one is required to have a valid passport for verification, and will also be needed to pay a fee. In some cases, additional identification documents may be required before the authorization is validated.

The ETA is then electronically linked to one’s passport or travel document.

Under the visa-free policy, Kenya will begin using the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to identify visitors entering its soil. Therefore, the eTA becomes mandatory for all foreign visitors, except for citizens from the East African Community (EAC) Member States.