Kenya will soon lift its “ETA” electronic travel authorization requirement for (almost all) Africans, and speed up application processing for other travelers.
As part of its policy of openness and modernization, Kenya yesterday announced major upcoming changes to its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system.
Following the first cabinet meeting of 2025, the Kenyan government announced that it had “approved recommendations to enhance the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system to boost efficiency and improve the traveler experience”.
These changes, whose effective date has not yet been communicated, should simplify administrative procedures for foreign visitors, while strengthening economic opportunities and cultural exchanges within the African continent.
ETA exemption for most African countries
One of the main reforms announced is the abolition of the ETA requirement for citizens of African countries, with the exception of Somalia and Libya, “due to security concerns”.
This measure will allow eligible African visitors to stay in Kenya for a period of two months without needing to apply for an ETA. Nationals of some countries on the continent had already benefited from an ETA fee waiver for several months.
Citizens of member countries of the East African Community (EAC) – Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda – will continue to benefit from a six-month ETA-free stay.
Accelerated processing of ETA applications for other nationalities
For travelers from other parts of the world, Kenya will introduce an option for fast-track processing of electronic travel authorization applications.
“To improve efficiency, an expedited eTA processing option will be introduced, allowing travelers to receive approval instantly, with processing time capped at 72 hours based on operational capacity,” explain the Kenyan authorities.
Kenya also plans to adopt the API/PNR (Advanced Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record) system in the near future, an advanced technology for collecting and analyzing traveler data to enhance security and improve the passenger experience.
ETA replaces visa in Kenya since January 2024
In a recent interview with The Kenyan Wall Street, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano indicated that the executive wanted to “review the ETA to make it quicker, faster, and one of the biggest recommendations is that it should be for multiple entry so that if you have your ETA now, you can probably use it for a year or two years”. It is therefore possible that the ETA will evolve further in the coming months.
In January 2024, Kenya marked a historic turning point by announcing visa-free travel for all, an initiative designed to boost its tourist appeal and stimulate international trade.
However, this measure was accompanied by the introduction of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for security and control reasons. The ETA, which is now compulsory for all foreign visitors, enables the Kenyan government to maintain rigorous monitoring of entries into its territory, while offering travellers a simplified process.
Accessible online from the www.etakenya.go.ke portal, or via the “Kenya ETA” mobile application for Android, the electronic travel authorization is valid for 3 months from the date of approval, and allows a stay of up to 90 days (single entry).
The price of the ETA for Kenya is US$33.90 for processing within 4 working days.
Just returned from Nairobi a few days ago. WORST trip in my life. Twenty years in thevUS Army i have travel alot. It was not but disrespectful people trying to get into the Nairobi airport and just as bab leaving. I left 3 weeks early. I was there years ago and do sad to see how Americans are treated there now.