Visa-Free Entry: Kenya Opens Borders to All African Countries Except Somalia and Libya

Kenya has announced a groundbreaking policy allowing citizens from nearly all African countries to visit without requiring prior authorization, as part of an initiative to promote regional integration and enhance travel within the continent.

According to a statement released by Kenya’s cabinet and reported by the BBC, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirement will be eliminated for citizens of most African nations, with Somalia and Libya being the only exceptions due to ongoing security concerns.

Under the revised policy, travelers from most African countries will enjoy visa-free entry and can stay for up to two months.

Kenya Visa Free Entry For African Countries

Furthermore, citizens of the East African Community (EAC) member states—including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi—will be permitted to stay for up to six months, aligning with the bloc’s existing regulations.

In an effort to streamline the travel process, Kenya plans to introduce an advanced system enabling instant travel approval. This system will ensure that any necessary travel processing will be completed within a maximum of 72 hours, though the timeline for full implementation of the policy has not yet been confirmed.

This move is expected to strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional hub and aligns with the African Union’s long-term vision of easing travel restrictions to foster economic growth, cultural exchange, and unity among African nations.