In early 2024, Kenya abolished the visa requirement and introduced the eTA. Reactions to this were mixed. African countries in particular criticised the new travel authorisation, claiming it imposed additional fees and stricter entry requirements on travellers from most African countries. Now Kenya has announced the first exceptions to the payment of eTA fees.
Criticism of the eTA introduction
After Kenya made a big announcement late last year that it would abolish visas for all travellers, a number of countries came to realise that this was not at all advantageous for them. The visa may have been abolished, but at the same time, Kenya introduced the eTA, a travel authorisation that travellers from most countries have to obtain before departure. Travellers from countries that were previously exempt from the visa requirement, such as South Africa, must also apply for an eTA as of the beginning of 2024. This means they now do face fees and an application process that must be completed several days before departure. The only exception to the eTA requirement applies to travellers from countries within the East African Community.
In the months following the introduction of the eTA, criticism grew from countries that previously enjoyed visa-free travel. Spokespersons from several African countries expressed surprise that Kenya had introduced new entry restrictions, when most countries on the continent were in the process of making travel within Africa easier. They found it therefore particularly astounding that Kenya announced the changes as a removal of visa requirements.
Visa fee scrapped for travellers from 7 countries
In response to the criticism, Kenya has now decided to drop the eTA application fee for travellers from seven countries. Travellers with the passport of one of the following countries can apply for the eTA Kenya free of charge since 15 February 2024:
- The Comoros
- Republic of the Congo
- Ethiopia
- Eritrea
- Mozambique
- San Marino
- South Africa
It is noteworthy that San Marino is the only country outside Africa to qualify for this new arrangement. The Kenyan government states that mutual visa waiver agreements have been reached with the above-mentioned countries. The decision is therefore based on the diplomatic relationship between Kenya and the countries in question. Kenya also aims to use this decision to improve mutual business relations and attract more tourists. Travellers from the 7 mentioned countries will still have to apply for an eTA before travelling to Kenya, but will no longer have to pay for the application.
Reactions and perspectives
The Ethiopian ambassador to Kenya expressed his gratitude for the decision shortly after the Kenyan government announced the elimination of the visa fee. The announcement has also received positive feedback within Kenya itself, especially from the tourist industry. It is not clear at the moment whether there will be further exceptions to the fee requirement in the future, but the Kenyan government's decision sends a signal that this option exists. Countries that have good relations with Kenya and want to admit Kenyan nationals without visas can hope that they too will be eligible for a visa waiver or an exemption from paying the visa fee in the future.
For the time being, however, travellers from most countries must still apply for an eTA for Kenya and also pay the associated fees. This applies to travellers from all European countries, with the exception of San Marino. You can apply for the eTA in just a few minutes online.