Visa-Free: What It Means & If You Still Need To Pay To Enter Kenya

President William Ruto on Tuesday, December 12 announced 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.

"It is with great pleasure, as President of this extraordinary country, to make a historic announcement of the decision of the Government of Kenya. Beginning in 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.

"To echo the call of the Turkana people to the world: “Tobong’u Lorre!” Kenya has a simple message to humanity: Welcome Home! This is why, the Government has abolished the requirement of visas for all our visitors," Ruto announced while addressing the nation during the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations.

President Ruto has on several occasions pushed for the scrapping of visas to Kenya as well as African countries to realise the Pan-African dream that will promote the free flow of people and trade in the continent.

But what does it mean for Kenya to be visa-free? Viral Tea explains below:

Visa-Free Country

Being a visa-free country means that citizens of that country can travel to another specific country or group of countries without the need to obtain a visa beforehand. In other words, individuals can enter and stay in the destination country for a certain period, typically for tourism or business purposes, without the requirement of obtaining a visa in advance.

Visa-free travel is often facilitated through bilateral agreements or international treaties between countries which outline the terms and conditions under which citizens of one country can visit another without the need for a visa. The duration of stay, the purpose of the visit, and other relevant details are usually specified in these agreements.

It's important to note that visa-free travel doesn't mean that travellers can enter a country without any restrictions. There may still be requirements, such as a limit on the length of stay, proof of sufficient funds, and a return ticket, depending on the specific agreement between the countries involved.

Countries may grant visa-free access to promote tourism, foster economic ties, or strengthen diplomatic relations with other nations.

However, the specific details of visa-free arrangements can vary widely between different countries and regions. Travellers should always check the current visa requirements and entry conditions for their destination country before planning their trip.

Kenya's Previous Visa Requirements

Before the presidential declaration, Kenya had waived visa requirements for several countries.

According to Immigration information on eCitizen, nationals of 42 countries ranked as Category 1 had been exempted from obtaining a Visa. Nationals from 144 other countries ranked as category 2, may be issued with e-Visas upon application on the eCitizen platform.

While 25 groups have been exempted from the visa requirement, nationals from 16 other countries are not allowed to make e-visa applications on eCitizen.

Electronic Travel Authorization

However, President Ruto announced that instead, all travellers will henceforth obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter Kenya.

"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.

On its part, 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.

ETA in other countries.

To digitize its borders by 2025, the UK government had in 2023 launched an ETA to allow travellers from eligible nations to visit Britain without acquiring a visa. The visa-free provision will apply to citizens of selected nations, who visit the UK for tourism, study, business or to visit friends and family.

ETA Kenya Charges

While the visa-free entry is expected to be scrapped once the directive takes effect in January 2024, this does not mean that global citizens can enter Kenya...without paying anything.

In a gazette notice in November 2023, the government through the Ministry of Interior announced that ETA charges would be $30 (approximately Ksh4,500).

The same notice revealed that fees for single journey visas were raised from Ksh7,572 to Ksh15,145 while the fee for a multiple journey visa went up from Ksh15,145 to Ksh75,725.

Extending a visa, which was initially free was to set one back Ksh30,290 while the application for visas for Kenyan children which was also free would cost the same price.

The charges were meant to take effect on January 1, 2024, following public participation, as the Ministry of Interior had initially revoked the charges from taking immediate effect in November.

ETA Around the World 

Globally, nations have made various visa pacts to ease movement and trade within one another. Others also have visa-free policies, and ETA systems in place.

Such visa agreements include the Schengen Agreement; which covers 27 European countries, and the US Visa Waiver Program which allows citizens from 40 countries to enter America without a visa.

Citizens from 15 member states in the ECOWAS can enter without a visa and stay for 90 days and the East African Community agreement enables visa-free travel for Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda citizens.

Recently, Rwanda also allowed visa-free entry for Africans.

There is also a Commonwealth Agreement that allows citizens of certain commonwealth countries to enter visa-free in member states and a bilateral agreement that allows US and Canada citizens to travel across the two countries without a visa by using either; their passport, a border crossing card, or an enhanced driver’s license.