Final yr Kenya introduced that it will drop visa necessities for guests from all international locations around the globe.
FREE ENTRY TO KENYA
The initiative acquired international consideration. The nation’s President William Ruto was applauded for the forward-thinking transfer, which was anticipated to assist the nation’s economic system.
Nevertheless, when the initiative was carried out in January 2024, it got here with a number of surprises. Visa necessities had been dropped however entry was not free.
ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORISATIONS
Kenya thus carried out an Digital Journey Authorisation (ETA) scheme.
It requires all guests – together with beforehand visa-exempt nations – to use for expensive digital journey authorisations.
VISA-EXEMPT NATIONS INCLUDED
Kenya’s ETA was met with combined reactions from the tourism business.
Nonetheless, guests from beforehand visa-exempt international locations (together with South Africa) had been additionally required to use for the ETA at a value of USD34 (R650). That is the charge for processing an ETA.
Earlier than the introduction of the ETA system, passport holders from 51 international locations loved visa-free entry to Kenya.
VISA ABOLITION AGREEMENTS
Furthermore, the brand new entry processing charge for guests from international locations with which Kenya has visa-abolition treaties drew some objection.
Nationals from South Africa, Comoros, the Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mozambique and San Marino fall below Kenya’s visa exempt listing.
These international locations had concluded visa abolition agreements or signed visa waiver agreements with Kenya earlier than the introduction of the ETA.
FEE-FREE ENTRY
Kenya has now reviewed these new necessities and made changes.
TravelNews stories that the Kenyan Ministry of Inside has now exempted seven international locations from paying ETA charges.
This transformation was confirmed in a memo launched by Kenya’s Director of Immigration Providers within the ministry Dr Dan Opon.
With impact from 15 February passport holders from the next nations are actually exempt from ETA processing charges:
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