Kenya ends Electronic Travel Authorization for African nationals under new tiered stay rules
| EAC Citizens | 180 days |
|---|---|
| Selected African Countries | 90 days |
| Other African Countries | 60 days |
Kenya eliminated its Electronic Travel Authorization requirement and $30 entry fee for almost all African nationals, rolling back a universal digital pass system that drew sharp regional pushback.
Differentiated stay allowances by nationality
Under immigration rules enacted in Legal Notice No. 93, which took effect July 1, 2025, the government replaced the universal portal mandate with a tiered stay structure. Standard tourists and remote workers from exempt nations no longer fill out online forms or submit pre-travel arrival paperwork.
Stay allowances now depend strictly on the traveler's passport:
East African Community citizens: Up to 180 days visa-free under regional free-movement accords, covering nationals from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Designated 90-day tier: Up to 90 days without an ETA for passport holders from 18 nations, including Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mauritius and South Africa.
Standard 60-day tier: Up to 60 days for citizens of 27 other African states, including Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Senegal.
Security exceptions: Passport holders from Somalia and Libya remain excluded from the waiver and must continue applying through the online ETA portal with full fees.
Entry rules and remote work limits
Eligible travelers walk directly to border desks with a passport valid for at least six months and one blank page. Border officers retain the authority to request proof of return travel and sufficient maintenance funds during routine entry checks.
The waiver offers African remote workers frictionless multi-month scouting trips across Nairobi and the coast without visa overhead. Still, border stamps don't confer local employment authorization. Remote workers planning an extended base or looking into Kenya's residency rules must regularize their status through standard work passes before their initial entry window lapses. Non-African travelers must continue to secure an approved ETA and pay the processing fee prior to departure.
Frequently asked questions
How long can East African Community nationals stay in Kenya without a visa?
Which African travelers can stay in Kenya for 90 days without an ETA?
How long can other African citizens stay in Kenya visa-free?
Do Somali and Libyan passport holders still need an ETA for Kenya?
What passport requirements apply for entry to Kenya under the new rules?
Can remote workers use Kenya’s visa waiver to work locally?
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