What is the difference between stopover and transit in Kenya?
A stopover differs from a transit in terms of visa needs. A stopover might be a simple halt of your aircraft in a Kenyan airport or a change of flight within the airport without leaving the international zone, but a transit may need an exit from the airport and, therefore, admission into Kenya. A visa will consequently be necessary just for transit, not a stopover.
As of January 2024, the Kenya Transit Visa has been replaced by the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). The requirements for transit or stopover in Kenya still depend on the length of your stay.
- If your stay does not exceed 72 hours, a visa is not required. You only need to stay in the transit area of the airport.
- If your stay exceeds 72 hours, you must obtain a transit visa. You can apply for a transit visa online or at your nearest Kenyan embassy or consulate.
Required documents: Although the transit visa has been replaced by the ETA, the required documents remain similar. You will need to provide:
- A valid passport.
- A recent passport photo.
- Your flight itinerary.
- Pay the ETA fee (if applicable), which varies depending on the length of transit and your nationality.
In short, while traditional transit visas are no longer valid, the Kenya ETA offers a fast and efficient solution for managing your transit requirements electronically.