Kenya Drops Pre-Authorisation Requirements for Most African Visitors
Kenya has announced a new travel directive allowing citizens of nearly all African countries to visit without requiring pre-travel authorisation. The move, which excludes Somalia and Libya due to security concerns, aims to advance regional integration, support open-skies policies, and drive tourism growth. Under the updated system, travellers from across the continent will be permitted visa-free stays of up to two months, with East African Community members eligible for up to six months’ stay. Additionally, Kenya plans to implement a streamlined approval process with a maximum turnaround time of 72 hours for all travellers.
The change replaces the previously criticised Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which required visitors to apply and pay for entry approval before their journey. This policy adjustment aligns with broader efforts by the African Union and other nations, such as Ghana and Rwanda, to ease travel restrictions within Africa. Kenya’s cabinet has tasked ministries with finalising updated guidelines within a week to improve passenger experiences at airports, though an official start date for the changes has not yet been specified. This development comes as Kenya seeks to regain favour as an accessible travel destination following its decline in rankings on the Africa Visa Openness Index.
Source: BBC
