South Africa on Monday relaxed the laid down Visa requirements for Kenyans travelling to the country.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Interior, Kenyan business and academia community travelling to South Africa will now be issued with multiple entry visas valid for up to 10 years.
On the other hand, frequent travellers will be eligible for 3-year multiple entry visas effective December 1, 2018.
"Government officials travelling on official business to South Africa will be granted 3 months free VISA with immediate effect," the statement reads in part.
Moreover, Kenyans pursuing studies in South Africa will be issued with study visas based on the duration of their studies and will eligible for visa renewal on application when need arises.
The agreement to to ease visa application rules and entry conditions was arrived after deliberations between Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, and South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba.
A technical team comprising officers from both countries was tasked with finding ways of completely removing short term (180 days) and transit visa requirements in the next 3 months for the nationals who hold ordinary passports.
The national carrier, Kenya Airways, reportedly does an average of three non-stop flights from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to South Africa daily which shows the need for less travel restrictions between the two countries.
Kenya has made major strides to ease travel having recently scrapped visa requirement for Africans visiting the country for a period of less than 30 days.
Those intending to stay longer are issued with visas on arrival at the point of entry or through the online e-visa platform.
