The Government of Kenya has introduced new regulations under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, exempting certain categories of passport holders and travellers from the requirement of obtaining an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before entering the country.
According to a gazette notice issued on May 30, 2025, the exemptions apply to specific groups as outlined in the updated provisions of the Act.
“The category of persons set out in the Seventeenth Schedule is exempted from the requirement of obtaining eTA before travelling into the country,” read the notice.
The exemptions outlined are intended to simplify travel procedures, enhance regional integration, and uphold Kenya’s international commitments, while ensuring effective immigration controls remain in place.
Passport-Free Entry for Travellers
According to the gazette notice, holders of Kenyan permanent residence, valid work permits, and passes, as well as all persons whose passports are endorsed with valid Kenyan re-entry passes or any other written authority instead of a re-entry pass, are exempted.
At the same time, citizens of East African Partner States, which include Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda are exempt for stays not exceeding 180 days.
Holders of diplomatic, official, special, and service passports from the Republic of Turkey, along with their family members holding valid passports in these categories, are exempt while on transit or stay for up to ninety (90) days. Similarly, holders of diplomatic, official, or service passports from the Federal Republic of Brazil and the Republic of India are exempt for periods not exceeding ninety (90) days.
Holders of diplomatic, official, or service passports from the People’s Republic of China are exempt for stays of up to thirty (30) days. Additionally, serving members of the British military are exempt from the eTA requirement.
Countries Allowed eTA-Free Entry
According to the notice, nationals of the following Countries will be allowed to enter Kenya eTA free for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days.
Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cyrus, Dominica, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji Island, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malaysia, Maldives, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, and Papua New Guinea,
Additionally, citizens of Union of Comoros, Samoa, San Marino, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, St. Kitts and Navis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Seychelles, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bahamas are also allowed.
African Countries
Moreover, nationals of the following African countries will be allowed to enter Kenya passport free for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days; Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau.
In addition, citizens of Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sudan, Togo Gambia, Republic of Congo (Brazaville), Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tunisia are allowed eTA-free entry for upto 60 days.
Also Read: How to Apply for a Kenyan Passport: A Step-by-Step Guide
Passengers Allowed to Enter Kenya
Other categories include all passengers in transit through Kenya arriving and leaving by the same aircraft or transferring to another aircraft and who do not leave the precincts of Airports in Kenya and all passengers arriving and leaving by the same ship, and who do not leave the ship.
Members of crew of any ship, aircraft, train, vehicle or carrier; whose name and particulars are included in the crew manifest of the ship, aircraft or carrier; and who is proceeding in such ship, aircraft or carrier to a destination outside Kenya are also exempted.
Further, owners of private aircraft stopping over for refueling in Kenya and who do not leave the precincts of the airport and holders of United Nations Organization Laissez-Passers whilst on official UN Business are allowed in eTA-free.
Also Read: US Revokes Visas for All South Sudanese Passport Holders with Immediate Effect
International Groups & Organization
In the international front and organization holders of Laissez-Passers on official business from various international and regional organizations are exempt from obtaining an eTA.
These include the African Union, African Development Bank, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa.
In addition, accredited officers working for organizations such as the Desert Locust Control Organization, COMESA, International Monetary Fund and World Bank, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the African Airlines Travel Association (IATA) will enter Kenya eTA-free.
Additionally, holders of Laissez-Passers from the Environment Liaison Centre International (ELCI), Union of Radio and Television Networks of Africa (URTNA), International Labour Organization (ILO), and Preferential Trade Area/Common Market for East and Southern Africa (PTA/COMESA) are exempted.
Others include officers of the European Union, International Potato Centre (CIP), African Reinsurance Corporation (ARC), African Housing Fund (AHF), and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
Finally, holders of diplomatic and service passports from the Islamic Republic of Iran are exempt for stays not exceeding 30 days.
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