Kenyans Can Now Visit South Africa Visa-free For Up To 90 Days Per Year

Kenyan citizens can now visit South Africa for up to 90 days in a calendar year without a visa.

The two countries have implemented a new visa-free travel dispensation that came into effect starting Jan. 1, 2023.

A statement released by Catherine Muigai Mwangi, high commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to the Republic of SA, revealed that the move was a "concrete demonstration of the deep bonds of friendships and a commitment to nurturing closer ties," News 24 Reported.

South Africans get free visas on arrival in Kenya for some time now, while Kenyans had to pay for theirs and provide proof of sufficient funds and return flight tickets.

Kenyan President William Ruto hosted Ramaphosa in November 2022 during the latter's state visit to Kenya, where the agreement was signed. The two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen economic, political, and social cooperation between their countries.

Ramaphosa stated that the agreement will invigorate tourism between the two countries and warned against the abuse of the system.

"We agree on the need for peace and stability in our continent and ending conflicts within and between states. Besides destroying lives and livelihoods, these conflicts greatly retard progress in addressing important social and economic issues. We have therefore agreed that we need to remain focused on issues affecting our regions and our continent and not be distracted by other global matters that are not of our making. We advocate for African solutions for African problems," said Ramaphosa, during the visit, as per Africa News.

In November 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that there would be visa-free movement between SA and the East African Community (EAC) countries during his first state visit to Kenya at the invitation of President William Ruto.

However, this was on the condition that Kenya takes back thousands of its citizens who entered South Africa illegally.

Interestingly, this took place exactly one year after the then-outgoing Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta visited South Africa.

Meanwhile, the number of countries that have visa-free travel agreements with South Africa has increased to 103 after the addition of Kenya.

South Africa allows visa-free travel to citizens of many countries with certain types of passports. For example, those with diplomatic, official, service, ordinary or special passports from any of the 103 countries on the list will be able to enter SA without a visa.