In a communiqué issued by the National Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the categories exempt from having to apply for and pay for electronic travel authorisation (eTA) have been decided.
Initially, in fact, the etakenya.go.ke website, which is the only one authorised to issue the eTA, had simply indicated Kenyan citizens and those from the East African community as the only ones who did not have to fill it in and pay for it.

Now, however, with the notice issued on 4 January, 'following Supplement No. 1 to the Kenya Gazette of 2 January 2024 on Kenyan Citizenship and Immigration', KCAA has officially unveiled the digital platform that will identify travellers to Kenya in advance and through which tourist visas to the country will be issued. It is also stated that travellers with already paid and issued visas will be able to continue using them for entry until their validity expires (3 months).

The communiqué further states that:

'All travellers to Kenya will be required to apply for and pay for eTA prior to travel, with the exclusions noted below.

A) PERSONS EXEMPTED FROM OBTAINING ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORISATION (eTA).

1) Holders of valid Kenyan passports or emergency one-way certificates issued by the Kenyan missions abroad.

2) Holders of Permanent Residence in Kenya, valid Work Permits and Passes.

3) Holders of a valid United Nations Conventional Travel Document issued by the Government of Kenya.

4) Members of diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited to Kenya.

5) Nationals of East African Partner States; these countries include Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda (exempt for six months).

6) All passengers in transit in Kenya arriving and departing on the same aircraft or transferring to another aircraft and who do not leave the confines of Kenyan airports.

7) All passengers arriving and departing on the same vessel and not leaving the vessel.

8) Crew members of any ship, aircraft, train, vehicle or carrier, whose names and particulars are included in the ship's crew list.

9) Owners of private aircraft stopping over in Kenya for refuelling and not leaving the confines of the airport.

It should be noted that holders of diplomatic, official or official duty passports will have to fill out the eTA but will be exempt from paying.

As already confirmed, minors, including infants, will also have to pay the eTa and it will be the parents' burden and responsibility to complete the eTA.