The new electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is currently under development but expected to replace visas for international travellers very soon...
Ever wanted to witness the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, hike up the second-largest peak in Africa – Mount Kenya, or go snorkelling in marine parks such as Watamu and Mombasa? Then 2024 might be the right time to finally visit this East African gem.
President William Ruto has recently announced that from early 2024, international visitors will no longer require a visa to visit Kenya.
Instead, travellers will need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which the Kenyan government are currently developing. This digital system is expected to be similar to those used by the USA and Canada, providing a more efficient and simpler way for travellers to enter the country.
The dropping of visa requirement is expected to come into force soon, but visitors are being warned that at present, they still need to apply for a visa, as no date has been formerly announced for this change.
You can spot Cheetahs in the Maasai Mara (Shutterstock)
Mount Kenya is a great challenge for hikers (Shutterstock)
At an event celebrating 60 years of independence in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, President Ruto said: “It shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya."
He continued: "Kenya has a simple message to humanity: Welcome Home!"
Tourism is a significant contributor to Kenya’s economy, and once the ETA system comes into action, it is expected to elevate the country's appeal for travellers even further.
Ruto has previously championed borderless Africa, allowing citizens from all nations across the continent to enter Kenya without needing a visa. It becomes the fourth country in Africa to introduce unrestricted travel for Africans, after Gambia, Benin and the Seychelles (and soon Rwanda).
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