In a move to foster regional integration and boost tourism, Kenya has eliminated visa requirements for citizens of all African nations and most Caribbean countries, effective immediately.
However, the new policy does not apply to Somalia and Libya due to security concerns.
The decision, which scraps the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for these regions, allows travelers to enter Kenya without forms, fees, or prior online applications.
This move builds on Kenya’s earlier announcement in January 2025 to become a visa-free destination for all global travelers, a policy that initially replaced traditional visas with a mandatory ETA system costing $30 per visitor.
Shift from ETA to Visa-Free Travel
The 2024 introduction of the ETA system, intended to streamline entry and enhance security, faced criticism for creating bureaucratic hurdles.
Despite being marketed as a visa-free policy, the ETA was seen by many as a visa in disguise, requiring online applications and payments that complicated travel, particularly for African visitors.
Currently, Kenya is 46th on the Visa Openness Index (2024), with countries like Benin, Rwanda, and Seychelles in the top three countries.
The new policy hopes to address these concerns head-on.
African travelers, except those from Somalia and Libya, can now stay in Kenya for up to two months without any prior authorization.
Meanwhile, citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states—Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and soon the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia—enjoy a six-month stay under existing regional agreements.
Most Caribbean nations, including Barbados, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, are also included in the visa waiver.
Potential Boost for Tourism and Trade
Kenya’s tourism sector, a cornerstone of its economy, stands to benefit significantly.
Kenya’s tourism sector earned 452.2 billion shillings (~$3.5 billion) in 2024 and is expected to earn 650 billion shillings ($5 billion) this year, Kenya’s Tourism Minister Rebecca Miano said in February.
That figure could increase with the new visa-free policy.
By easing entry requirements, Kenya aims to compete with countries like Rwanda and Ghana, which have also liberalized their visa policies to attract visitors.
The policy is also expected to strengthen trade ties within Africa and beyond. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) emphasizes free movement as a catalyst for economic growth, and Kenya’s decision aligns with this vision.
The news article was summarised with the help of AI and reviewed by human editors
