First batch of foreign tourists arrive in Kenya under new visa-free entry scheme

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Kenya marked a significant milestone Friday by becoming the first country to implement a visa-free entry scheme for foreign tourists.

The East African nation has removed visa requirements for travelers, irrespective of their nationalities, to encourage a surge in international tourism.

Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said Kenya expects to double tourist arrival numbers by the end of the year.

"We have made sure that traveling to Kenya is going to be an easy and pleasant experience. We have been receiving about 2 million tourists per year but we believe that with this policy shift, the numbers will double, to over 5 million per year," he said.

Kenya introduced a cutting-edge electronic travel authorization (ETA) system, replacing traditional visas with a simple online application process.

The streamlined process incurs a minimal $30 processing fee, providing a hassle-free entry experience for global travelers for a 90-day stay.

The initiative aims to boost the tourism sector and foster international relations.

The implementation of the visa-free entry scheme comes as part of strategic efforts to revitalize Kenya’s tourism industry, which has been adversely affected by global travel restrictions in recent years.

Kenya earned $1.8 billion from tourism revenue in 2023, according to the government.

Bitok said once fully operational, Kenya aims to earn $9.5 billion from tourism revenue annually.

Kenya's decision to go Visa-free is expected to attract a diverse range of visitors who have a thirst for the East African nation's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Tourism is a vital sector of Kenya's economy, contributing significantly to employment and foreign exchange earnings.

President William Ruto declared the nation's decision Dec. 12 to abolish visa requirements for international visitors, effective Jan. 1.