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Kenya visa-free countries for 2024
iVisa
5 min read
Updated on Feb 15, 2024

Did you know that as a Kenyan, you have the privilege to explore over 70 destinations without needing a visa? Yes, you read that right – a world of visa-free or visa-on-entry countries is waiting for you!

Kenyans looking to travel internationally often bump into the challenge of fulfilling visa requirements. Yet, there exists a generous list of countries welcoming Kenyans without the need for a pre-arranged visa.

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From stunning locations on remote islands to economically booming nations and several neighboring African countries, the Kenyan traveler is spoiled for choice. Whether your travel plans include vacationing, health-related trips, education, shopping, or business, there's a destination ready to welcome you.

We've compiled a list of countries that offer visa-free access or visa-on-arrival for Kenyan passport holders – all you have to do is book, fly, and smile!

Kenya visa-free countries: Where can Kenyans travel without a visa?

According to the Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports by how many countries they allow the holder to visit without a visa, there are 76 countries that Kenyans can travel to without a visa.

This includes countries where Kenyan passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival, a visitor's permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA) upon entry. In this instance, an e-visa also counts as a visa on arrival if the requirements for obtaining it are uncomplicated, e.g., visa fee, return ticket, and hotel reservation.

Here's a list of countries that are visa-exempt for Kenyan passport holders:

Antigua and Barbuda Dominica Kiribati Rwanda
The Bahamas Eritrea Lesotho Saint Kitts and Nevis
Barbados Eswatini Malawi Senegal
Benin Ethiopia Malaysia Singapore
Botswana Fiji Islands Mauritius South Africa
British Virgin Islands The Gambia Micronesia South Sudan
Burundi Ghana Montserrat St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Cuba Grenada Namibia Tanzania
Cayman Islands Haiti Niue Trinidad and Tobago
Democratic Republic of Congo Hong Kong Panama Uganda
Cook Islands Jamaica The Philippines Vanuatu
Zambia Zimbabwe Djibouti

Which countries issue visas on arrival to Kenyan passport holders?

There's more good news on the travel front for Kenyans: beyond the visa-exempt countries, many destinations offer Kenyan passport holders the opportunity to obtain a visa upon arrival.

This means even more countries you can visit without worrying about getting a visa beforehand, making spontaneous trips and last-minute plans easier than ever.

Here's the updated list of countries where Kenyans can enjoy the flexibility of getting a visa on arrival:

Bolivia Jordan Nepal Sudan
Burkina Faso Laos Nigeria Timor-Leste
Cambodia Macau Palau Islands Togo
Cape Verde Maldives Samoa Tuvalu
Comoro Islands Mali Seychelles
Guinea-Bissau Mauritania Sierra Leone
Indonesia Mozambique St. Lucia

Which countries do Kenyan citizens need to apply for an e-visa?

After exploring countries that offer visa-free entry and visas on arrival, let's look at where Kenyan citizens need to secure an e-visa before they travel. Luckily, getting an e-visa is usually a pretty simple process. It usually involves filling out the visa application form online and uploading a scan of your passport.

Because the process takes place online, you can handle everything from the comfort of your home without the need to visit an embassy or consulate. It's a convenient way to plan your trip.

Here are the countries that require Kenyans to get an e-visa:

Madagascar India Qatar
Ivory Coast Kazakhstan São Tomé and Príncipe
Iran Kuwait Suriname
Albania Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan
Bahrain Moldova United Arab Emirates
Colombia Myanmar Vietnam
Gabon Oman Bhutan
Georgia Pakistan Equatorial Guinea
Guinea Papua New Guinea Mongolia

Countries that require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for Kenyan passport holders

Let's discuss another travel document: the Electronic Travel Authorization, or ETA. Think of an ETA as a lighter, easier visa version. You still have to apply for it before your trip, but it's usually quicker and involves less paperwork. The main idea is to make it simpler for travelers to get the green light to visit a country without the more extensive visa process.

For Kenyan passport holders, there's one place where you'll need an ETA: Sri Lanka. It's the only country that currently asks Kenyans for this type of travel document.

Where can you travel visa-free, and when do you need to apply for an e-visa beforehand? Stay informed by using our handy Visa Checker Tool.

Traveling to Kenya: How do I know if I'm from a visa-free country?

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Now, let's flip the script and talk about what nationals from other countries need to know when planning a trip to Kenya. If you're looking to visit Kenya, you might need to get a travel permit before coming. In fact, people from more than 100 countries have to sort this out before landing in Kenya.

In fact, there are only 6 countries whose citizens can come to Kenya without a travel authorization. The visa-exempt countries for Kenya are:

  • Burundi

  • Democratic Republic of Congo

  • Rwanda

  • South Sudan

  • Tanzania

  • Uganda

So, if you're lucky enough to be from one of these countries, your trip to Kenya just got much simpler. For everyone else, read on as we give you more details about the Kenya ETA.

From Mombasa to the Maasai Mara: How many days can I stay in Kenya if I'm from one of the visa-free countries?

The six countries we listed above are member states of the East African Community, a regional economic organization formed to improve connections, trade, and travel between partner countries.

Nationals of these countries are allowed to stay in Kenya for up to six months without needing a visa. Additionally, they can leave and re-enter Kenya multiple times during this period.

Kenya ETA: What if I'm not visa-free to enter Kenya?

If you're looking to visit Kenya and aren't from one of the visa-free countries, you'll likely need to apply for the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you set off.

The Kenya ETA is an online travel authorization that has replaced of the traditional Kenya eVisa. It's a digital pass designed to make travel planning smoother and more convenient.

Learn more about the Kenya ETA.

Need more information?

If you've got questions about applying for a Kenya ETA, you can reach out to our customer support team. Please send us a message on our live chat or at [email protected].

Disclaimer
  • iVisa is NOT affiliated with any government agency. This site does not provide legal advice and we are not a law firm. None of our customer service representatives are lawyers and they also do not provide legal advice. We are a private, internet-based travel and immigration consultancy provider dedicated to helping individuals travel around the world. You may apply by yourself directly on the various government websites. The source of information: https://immigration.go.ke/

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