Gov’t makes Ksh.158M from ETA system in one week - Immigration department

The newly-introduced Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has raked in around Ksh.158.8 million (USD 1 million) for the State in the past week, with 32,000 foreigners utilizing the platform to submit their applications to visit Kenya.

Fresh data from Immigration department indicates that out of the received applications, approximately 25,000 have been successfully processed, while 110 have been rejected on security grounds. The remaining applications are currently in different stages of processing.

Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok anticipates a surge in the revenue collected from the platform in coming weeks.

“We have been able to generate USD 1 million (approx. Ksh.158.8 million) in the last one week. This is much needed foreign exchange. The number of tourists coming has increased because we have made travelling to Kenya easy,” he said in a statement to newsrooms on Thursday.

He added that the purpose behind adopting ETA is to enhance security measures and gather essential passenger information in advance, aligning with a global trend in travel protocols.

“Many countries in Europe and America have already introduced ETA and in doing the same, Kenya is being a trail blazer in Africa as it has always been,” he said.

Additionally, the PS said that the ETA system, which has replaced Visa as a travel requirement for entry to Kenya, is being reviewed and refined to further reduce the turnaround time for applications and approvals.

Bitok further disclosed that the necessity to include personal bank statements in the ETA application has been eliminated, along with other non-essential details, to enhance the user-friendliness of the application form.

The Immigration department's announcement comes just a month after President William Ruto abolished Visa requirements for all global visitors beginning January 2024.

This he said during the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, where he noted that the abolishment lies on the backdrop of embracing globalisation and opening the borders to spur the socio-economic development of the country.

"Beginning January 2024, Kenya will be a Visa-free country. It shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya," said Ruto on December 12, 2023.