As of January 5, 2025, the Kenyan government has mandated that all travelers obtain and pay for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before entering the country.
Exemptions from eTA Requirement:
- Kenyan Nationals and Residents:
- Holders of valid Kenyan passports or one-way Emergency Certificates issued by Kenyan missions abroad.
- Individuals with Kenyan permanent residence, valid work permits, or passes.
- United Nations Travel Document Holders:
- Possessors of valid UN Convention travel documents issued by the Kenyan government.
- Diplomatic Personnel:
- Members of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited to Kenya.
- East African Community (EAC) Citizens:
- Citizens from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda are exempt from the eTA requirement for six months.
- Transit Passengers:
- Travelers transiting through Kenya who remain within airport premises.
- Passengers arriving and departing on the same ship without disembarking.
- Transport Crew Members:
- Crew members of ships, aircraft, trains, vehicles, or carriers en route to destinations outside Kenya.
- Private Aircraft Owners:
- Individuals piloting private aircraft stopping in Kenya solely for refueling, provided they do not leave the airport area.
eTA Fee Waivers:
- Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders:
- Individuals on official duty with diplomatic, official, or service passports.
- Laissez-Passer Holders from Specific Organizations:
- Personnel from entities such as the United Nations, African Union, African Development Bank, and others listed below are exempt from eTA fees when traveling for official business.
Organizations with Laissez-Passer Fee Exemptions:
- United Nations Organization
- African Union
- African Development Bank
- Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa
- International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa
- Desert Locust Control Organization
- COMESA
- International Monetary Fund and World Bank
- Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
- African Airlines Travel Association (IATA)
- Environment Liaison Centre International (ELCI)
- Union of Radio and Television Network of Africa (URTNA)
- European Union
- International Potato Center (CIP)
- African Reinsurance Corporation
These measures align with President William Ruto’s directive for a visa-free regime, as detailed in the Kenya Gazette Supplement No.1 of January 2, 2024. The eTA system aims to streamline entry processes and enhance security measures for travelers to Kenya.
For more information and to apply for an eTA, travelers can visit the official eTA Kenya website.
