Kenya’s visa-free entry for everyone now operational

NAIROBI – Kenya announced the arrival of the first group of foreign tourist who entered through a visa-free entry system on Friday.

Julius Bitok, the Permanent Secretary for immigration and Citizens Services stated that the arriving foreigners used Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) upon landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Kenya.

“It is very easy to apply and get an ETA. You just need to fill your personal data in ten minutes and you should be able to get an approval in 72 hours. We have made sure that travelling to Kenya is going to be an easy and pleasant experience,” Bitok said.

He further highlighted the global inclusivity of this initiative, emphasizing that citizens from countries worldwide, including Africa, Asia, America, and Australia, can now enter Kenya visa-free. The announcement was made during the scheme’s launch at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta international Airport.

In addition, Bitok mentioned the country’s aim to offset the lost revenue from visa application through anticipated higher tourist spending. He stated that on average, each visitor spends around 500, 000 Ksh (Kenyan Shilling) within three months in Kenya, hoping that the annual tourism revenue can be boosted to 1.5 trillion Ksh (Kenyan Shilling).

Moreover, the newly implemented system involves online application for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), accompanied by a $30 processing fee.

Last year, President William Ruto declared Kenya’s intention to become a “visa-free country,” announcing that existing requirements would be lifted starting in January.

However, as of last Tuesday, the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority cautioned that the new ETA system was still “in the process of development and implementation.”

Kenya is located in East Africa, renowned for its national parks and reserves, including the Maasai Mara, Amboseli National Park, and Tsavo National Park. The population of Kenya is estimated to be over 53 million people. The diverse cultures, languages, and traditions of various ethnic groups contribute to Kenya’s rich cultural tapestry.