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Is Kenya now visa free for Nigerians?

Yes. Starting from January 2024, Kenya announced visa-free entry in principle, but all travelers still need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before arriving. Nevertheless, it was not a situation where the travelers coming to Kenya would be totally free of paperwork. All visitors — even the Nigerians — had to get an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to the country’s entry instead of a visa.

Understanding Kenya’s New Visa-Free Policy

In December 2023, President William Ruto declared that from 2024 onwards, Kenya would be a visa-free country for all travelers. The main thought was to allow more tourism and business activities in Kenya due to its being a more open and accessible destination. 

The new system is being called “visa-free,” but, in fact, it is just a digital pre-screening system, the ETA, which is going to replace the traditional visa processing. This electronic document allows the Kenyan authorities to check the traveler’s information even before the traveler arrives, which is the same as with the visa-free systems in place in Canada (eTA) or the U.S. (ESTA) and other countries.

What Is the ETA and How Does It Work?

The Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) serves as a virtual stamp of approval, granting entry to Kenya without requiring a visa process. The issuance of the ETA is mandatory for all travelers, including Nigerians, before taking their flights.

The eTA replaced Kenya’s previous eVisa system for most travel categories. However, certain regional visas, such as the East African Tourist Visa, remain available through partner countries.

Even citizens of Nigeria have to first apply for the eTA online before they can get on a flight to Kenya.

The first step in the process of obtaining an ETA is through the Kenya immigration services website. The following is the list of requirements:

  • The passport must be valid for at least six months and should contain one blank page for the Immigration Officer's stamping.
  • A document showing where you will be staying or an invitation letter.
  • Additional documents—such as a passport-size photo or return ticket—may be requested depending on the applicant’s profile.

Processing time for applications is approximately 3 to 5 working days after submission. However, applying at least one week in advance of your travel date is recommended to avoid potential delays.

Benefits for Nigerian Travelers

The new ETA system has multiple benefits for the citizens of Nigeria:

  • Faster entry process: No more trips to an embassy or queuing for a visa.
  • Lower cost: The eTA fee is generally lower than Kenya’s previous tourist visa fees for many nationalities.
  • Digital convenience: Online process for all activities, from payment to approval.

Kenya sees this as an opportunity to increase tourist arrivals and to enhance relations with African countries, among them Nigeria.

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