President William Ruto's government announced that a crucial change affecting travellers entering the country took effect beginning Sunday, January 5, 2025.
In a statement, the government revealed that all travellers must apply and pay for the electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before their journey to Kenya.
However, this directive has exceptions, with several categories of people exempt from obtaining an eTA.
Holders of Kenyan passports, or one-way Emergency Certificates issued by the Kenya Missions Board, holders of Kenya permanent residence, and valid work permits will not be required to possess an eTA visa.
Similarly, holders of United Nations Convention travel documents issued by the Kenyan Government are exempted.
In addition, citizens from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, all East African partner states, will be exempted from applying for eTA for six months.
The government recently implemented electronic Travel Authorization in the country in line with President William Ruto's directive on a Visa-free regime and the Kenya Gazette Supplement No.1 of January 2, 2024.
This policy is part of Kenya's move to follow a global trend, which has seen countries such as the United States, South Korea, New Zealand, Israel, and the United Kingdom adopt eTA.
President Ruto, speaking at the 14th edition of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) in 2024, said eTA was mainly meant to offer more freedom for passengers in transit in Kenya.
Rather than waiting at the terminal, this new category of eTA will allow transit visitors to exit Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and visit the Kenyan capital for a few hours.
With this in mind, the government also noted that passengers in transit who do not leave the precincts of the airport will not be required to apply for the electronic document. Also, members of the crew of any ship, aircraft, or train proceeding to a destination outside Kenya are exempted.
Owners of private aircraft who have stopped in Kenya to refuel are also not required to have eTA as long as they don't leave the airport precincts.
Here are the 11 clusters exempted from applying for the eTA while travelling to Kenya;
Exemptions from Obtaining eTA
- Holders of valid Kenyan passports or one-way Emergency Certificates issued by Kenyan Missions abroad
- Holders of Kenyan permanent residence, valid work permits and passes
- Holders of valid United Nations Conventional travel documents issued by the Government of Kenya
- Members of Diplomatic missions and Internatonal Organizations accredited to Kenya
- Citizens of the East African Partner States (Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda) - Exempted for Six (6) months.
- Passengers in transit through Kenya who do not leave the precincts of Airports
- Passengers arriving and leaving by the same ship who do not leave the ship.
- Members of the crew of any ship, aircraft, train, vehicle, or carrier proceeding to a destination outside Kenya.
- Owners of private aircraft stopping over for refuelling in Kenya without leaving the airport precincts.
Persons Applying for eTA but Exempted from Payment
- Holders of Diplomatic, Official, or Service Passports on official duty.
- Holders of specific Laissez-Passers for official business purposes (United Nations, African Union, African Development Bank, Arab Bank
Laissez-Passers Exempted from eTA Payment
- 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, Television Network of Africa (URTNA)
- European Union
- CIP (International Potato Centre)
- African Reinsurance Corporation (ARC)
- African Housing Fund (AHF)
