On Monday, February 19, Ethiopia announced that Kenya had agreed to exempt its citizens from Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) payment requirements and other associated fees.
This was announced by General Bacha Debele Buta, who is the ambassador of Ethiopia to Kenya and also a Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
General Buta in a statement noted that the ETA payments were removed following a request placed by the Ethiopian government to Kenya.
“My heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Government of Kenya for its prompt response and kind decision to remove Ethiopian citizens from ETA-related electronic payment requirement,” the Ambassador noted.
While Kenya’s immigration department will not charge Ethiopian citizens for ETA, travellers will still be needed to lodge their particulars.
“We inform our citizens that they can enter Kenya without any requirement for visa and related payment, but the the requirement to fill ETA form online before arrival remains mandatory,” General Buta explained on the scope of the arrangement.
It should be noted that Kenyans visiting Ethiopia do not need a visa.
As per the Ethiopian government, Kenyans can stay in the country for up to one year without being required to obtain a visa.
Other countries which Kenya has struck a similar deal with include members of the East African Community.
Unlike Ethiopia, EAC member states are exempted from all ETA requirements including filling out the online form as long as they are passport holders.
On December 12, President William Ruto abolished visa requirements for all global citizens and introduced an ETA at a fee of Ksh4,600.
The directive took effect on January 1, 2024, and applied to countries that previously did not require a visa to visit Kenya.
