Kenya has announced new travel directives that will allow nationals of almost all African countries to visit without the need for pre-travel permits. The move, which excludes Somalia and Libya due to security concerns, is aimed at promoting regional integration, supporting open skies policies and promoting tourism growth. The updated system will allow visa-free stays of up to two months for travelers from across the continent, and up to six months for members of the East African Community. Additionally, Kenya plans to introduce a streamlined approval process for all travelers with a turnaround time of up to 72 hours.
The changes replace the previously criticized Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which required travelers to apply for and pay for entry authorization before traveling. This policy adjustment is in line with broader efforts by the African Union and other countries such as Ghana and Rwanda to ease travel restrictions within Africa. Kenya's Cabinet has ordered ministries to finalize updated guidelines to improve the passenger experience at airports within a week, but an official start date for the changes has not yet been specified. The move comes as Kenya seeks to regain favor as an accessible travel destination following a drop in its ranking on the Africa Visa Openness Index.
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Source: BBC
