Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano
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Kenya's Tourism Ministry has overhauled its electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system, introducing instant approvals to address initial challenges and criticisms levelled against the program.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano announced the revisions on Wednesday, emphasizing that the streamlined eTA now offers a faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional visas. The announcement follows concerns raised, including those by the African Union, regarding processing times. The eTA fee remains at $30/£24 (Sh3,900) and is valid for 90 days.
The revamped system aims to enhance accessibility and openness, particularly in response to an African Union report that downgraded Kenya's visa openness rating. A key improvement is the exemption of all African nations that allow Kenyans visa-free entry from the eTA requirement. Furthermore, the eTA now permits multiple entries into Kenya within a three-month period, granting greater flexibility to travellers.
"The eTA has been made multiple entries so that if you go to Kenya and go back to your country, you can come back for about three months," Miano explains.
The ministry is also developing a multiple-entry eTA specifically for cruise ship tourists arriving at the port of Mombasa. This initiative, previously announced by President William Ruto during the docking of the MS Norwegian Cruise, seeks to eliminate paperwork and expedite processing for cruise passengers. Kenya initially declared itself a visa-free country in January 2024, replacing visa requirements with the eTA system for all visitors.
However, the move faced criticism, with some describing the eTA as a "visa under another name" due to stringent requirements and lengthy processing times. Miano has assured the public that the revised eTA process has addressed these concerns, resulting in a significant reduction in complaints. The ministry anticipates that these changes will make Kenya more accessible to international visitors.