Tougher visa rules for South Africa
PHOTO/FILE Kenya’s High Commissioner to South Africa Patrick Wamoto.
What you need to know:
- South African passport holders were exempted from obtaining a visa if their period of stay in Kenya was less than 30 days.
South African nationals wishing to visit Kenya will no longer obtain visas on arrival whenever staying in or transiting through Kenya. This is in line with six new regulations introduced by Kenya that take effect from July 1.
In an announcement posted on the Kenyan High Commission’s website and signed by Kenya’s High Commissioner to Pretoria Patrick Wamoto, holders of South African passports will be required to apply for a visa up to five days in advance before their expected date of departure from South Africa.
Previously, South African passport holders were exempted from obtaining a visa if their period of stay in Kenya was less than 30 days.
The new rules, seen as retaliation to the rigorous overhaul of the South African immigration regulations, have also introduced a service charge to all applicants, including proof of funds to show that South African visitors can finance their stay in Kenya.
“Ordinary Visa applicants travelling to or transiting through Kenya will pay a service fee of R750 (Sh6,000),” read the statement. “Only holders of Official or diplomatic passports travelling on government business will not be affected by these changes.”
