Kenyan Citizenship and Immigration has developed a digital platform and with effect from January 4, 2024, Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) has been implemented.
Key Information
- All travellers to Kenya will be required to apply and pay for the eTA prior to travel, with exclusion as indicated below.
- The following persons are exempted from obtaining the ETA:
- Travelers with already paid and issued visas will continue to use them for entry until the expiry of their validity.
- Holders of valid Kenya Passports or one way Emergency Certificate issued by Kenya Missions abroad.
- Holders of Kenya Permanent Residence, valid Work Permits and Passes.
- Holders of valid United Nations Conventional Travel Document issued by the Government of Kenya.
- Members of the Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations Accredited to Kenya.
- Citizens of the East African Partner States; These countries include Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda (Exempted for six (6) months).
- All passengers in transit through Kenya arriving and leaving by the same aircraft or transferring to another aircraft and who do not leave the precincts of airports in Kenya.
- All passengers arriving and leaving by the same ship and who do not leave the ship.
- Member of crew of any ship, aircraft, train, vehicle or carrier; whose name and particulars are included in the crew manifest of the ship, aircraft, train, vehicle or carrier and who is proceeding in such ship, aircraft, train, vehicle, or carrier to a destination outside Kenya.
- Owners of private aircraft stopping over for refueling in Kenya and who do not leave the precincts of the airport.
- The following persons must apply for the ETA but are exempted from paying:
- Holders of Diplomatic, Official or Service Passports on official duty.
- Holders of the following Laissez-Passers: 1) Holders of United Nations Organization Laissez-Passers whilst on official UN
Business, 2) Holders of African Union Laissez-Passers whilst on official A.U business, 3) Holders of African Development Bank Laissez-passers, whilst on official A.D.B business, 4) Holders of Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa Laissez-Passers, whilst on official BADEA business, 5) Holders of International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa Laissez-Passers, whilst on official I.R.L.C.O business.
6) Holders of Desert Locust Control Organization Laissez-Passers, whilst on official D.L.C.O business, 7) Holders of COMESA Laissez-Passers, whilst on official COMESA business, 8) Holders of International Monetary Fund and World Bank Laissez – passers whilst on official IMF/World Bank Business, 9) Holders of Inter-Government Authority on Development (IGAD) Laissez-Passers whilst on official IGAD business, 10) Holders of African Airlines Travel Association (IATA) Laissez – Passers whillst on official business, 11) Holders of Environment Liaison Centre International (ELCI) Laissez – Passers whilst on official ELCI business, 12) Holders of Union of Radio, Television Network of Africa (URTNA) Laissez –
Passers whilst on official URTNA business, 13) Holders of International Labour Organization (ILO) Laissez – Passers whilst on
official ILO business, 14) Holders of European Union Laissez – Passers whilst on official European Union business, 15) Holders of CIP (International Potato Centre) Laissez – Passers whilst on official CIP business, 16) Holders of African Reinsurance Corporation (ARC) Laissez – Passers whilst on
official ARC business, 17) Holders of African Housing Fund (AHF) Laissez – Passers whilst on official AHF business.
The ETA/visa-free program was announced December 12, 2023.
Erickson Insights
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.