Kenya has officially gazetted new immigration rules that exempt dozens of categories of travelers from the requirement to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before entering the country. The changes, announced through a legal notice dated May 30, 2025, by Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, form part of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Regulations, 2025.
The newly introduced Regulation 15G outlines 34 categories of persons who will no longer need to apply for an eTA. These include holders of Kenyan permanent residence, individuals with valid work permits, and re-entry pass holders. Citizens from East African Community (EAC) partner states Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda are also exempt for visits not exceeding 180 days.
In a move aimed at strengthening regional ties and tourism, nationals from a wide range of countries will now enjoy visa-free access for up to 90 days. These include Barbados, Botswana, Ghana, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mauritius, Namibia, Singapore, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, among others.
In addition, citizens from African nations such as Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Morocco are granted an exemption for stays not exceeding 60 days. The list further includes several West, Central, and North African countries like Algeria, Mali, Chad, and Senegal.
Transit passengers who do not leave the airport or ship, as well as international flight and ship crew members, and owners of private aircraft stopping over for refueling are also exempted under the new regulation.
Furthermore, personnel from major international and intergovernmental organisations — including the United Nations, African Union, World Bank, COMESA, and African Development Bank — are now exempt if they possess official laissez-passers. This applies equally to representatives of regional bodies such as IGAD, ELCI, and the African Airlines Travel Association.
The sweeping reforms are seen as part of Kenya’s efforts to boost trade, tourism, and diplomatic cooperation, while simplifying travel for key regional and global partners.
