TOURISM: Kenya’s eTA Revamped, Improved For Visitors – CS Miano
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has announced the implementation of an instant electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for visitors to Kenya.
According to Miano, this is one of the significant adjustments implemented by the Ministry in response to feedback and complaints regarding the eTA process, particularly those addressed by the African Union.
Speaking on Wednesday, Miano admitted that when the eTA system was first launched, there were concerns such as longer processing times than traditional visas.
However, she emphasized that the Ministry has now streamlined the procedure, making eTA approvals speedier and that travellers now have the option of obtaining an instant eTA.
“The eTA is significantly cheaper than a visa and also takes a shorter time. Now the period has been reduced and in fact, we also have instant eTAs,” Miano revealed.
CS Rebecca Miano: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is significantly cheaper than a Visa and also takes a shorter time. In implementing it, we received a lot of feedback (on eTA) and we took them seriously.#FixingTheNationNTV @MariamBishar @OfficialJMbugua @EricLatiff pic.twitter.com/UQauRQSAJ3
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) February 26, 2025
According to Miano, after the African Union degraded Kenya’s visa openness, the ministry worked to enhance it.
This included exempting all African nations that enable Kenyans to travel without a visa from the eTA. Furthermore, the ministry has made the eTA multi-entry.
Previously, the eTA was only valid for one entry to Kenya, with the exception of temporary exit and re-entry into one or more EAC Partner States.
“The eTA has been made multiple entry so that if you go to Kenya and go back to your country, you can come back for about three months,” Miano explained.
In addition, the ministry plans to implement a multiple-entry electronic travel authorization (eTA) for cruise ship guests at Mombasa port.
CS Rebecca Miano: There have been various concerns about the customer experience specifically at JKIA. We did work on it.#FixingTheNationNTV @MariamBishar @OfficialJMbugua @EricLatiff pic.twitter.com/3OiiwFQl1K
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) February 26, 2025
On Tuesday, February 25, President Ruto hailed the new development when the MS Norwegian Cruise docked with 800 tourists.
Ruto explained that the move is intended to make things smoother and more seamless for cruise ship visitors, eliminating paperwork and unnecessary delays.
According to the CS, the ministry’s initiatives have greatly boosted the system’s openness.
President William Ruto stated in January 2024 that Kenya would no longer require visas. However, to improve security, the country implemented the eTA.
An eTA is a semi-automated system that assesses travelers’ eligibility to travel to Kenya. It grants permission to travel and is government-approved.
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The introduction of the eTA, which eliminated the visa requirement for all visitors, has been criticized as a visa disguised as another name.
Travelers claimed that the process was more demanding and took longer than regular visas.
CS Rebecca Miano: We have improved eCitizen by shortening the process. It used to take about 11 minutes but currently, we have reduced it to two minutes.#FixingTheNationNTV @MariamBishar @OfficialJMbugua @EricLatiff pic.twitter.com/iwShOmFqWb
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) February 26, 2025
Miano, on the other hand, has informed visitors visiting Kenya that the eTA has been streamlined and that complaints have decreased dramatically.
The eTA charge is $30/£24 (Ksh3,900), and it is valid for 90 days.
TOURISM: Kenya’s eTA Revamped, Improved For Visitors – CS Miano
