Kenya postpones new visa regulations for South Africans

The Kenyan High Commission has, following vehement protests from the Kenyan tourism sector and South African-based travel agents, postponed for at least two months their measure requiring South Africans traveling to and via Kenya to obtain a visa in advance at the High Commission in Pretoria.

It was South Africa which had started the diplomatic row last year by requiring Kenyans to obtain a transit visa in advance, when in a shift of policy they compelled Kenyans to pay for visa processing through a private contractor, while maintaining that the visa itself was free. Apart from the staff at the contractor’s office being described as rude and arrogant to this correspondent by several applicants from Nairobi, delays have been pointed out, eventually leading to the Kenya High Commission using the diplomatic principle of reciprocity to impose counter measures which were, however, seen as hugely detrimental to Kenya’s tourism sector. Last year Kenya welcomed some 30,000+ visitors from South Africa and saw Kenya Airways benefit from a fast-growing passenger stream flying with them via Nairobi to Europe, India, and the Middle and Far East.

It was pointed out that as the only way to obtain the visa was by personal appearance at the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria for biometric processing, and the 5-day waiting period, this would effectively wipe out any significant tourism stream from South Africa to East Africa, at a time when Kenya needs every single client it can get. This is probably the main factor as to why Kenya has postponed the measures from July 1 until September 1, as a way to give time for further diplomatic negotiations on how to resolve the issue for the benefit of both sides.

Below is the notice received yesterday for the benefit of readers:

NEW KENYA VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR SOUTH AFRICANS

Latest Update 06/24/2014: Further to the numerous requests, the implementation for the visa has been postponed to September 1, 2014.

Previous notice: The Kenya High Commission has announced that South African passport holders are now required to apply for a visa prior to traveling or transiting through Kenya. This new rule will be effective from July 1, 2014 as published on the Kenya High Commission website.

Previously, South African passport holders were exempted from visa requirements when traveling for 30 days or less. With the new rule, South Africans are required to pay R750 fees and will no longer be issued with visas on arrival in Kenya.

This move by the Kenya High Commission comes after the new South Africa immigration laws.