Visa-free travel: Kenya and Senegal agree 90-day waiver

Kenya and Senegal have signed a reciprocal visa waiver that lets their citizens visit each other visa‑free for up to 90 days. The deal was concluded at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, 21 October 2025, during President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s state visit, witnessed by Presidents William Ruto and Faye.

What changed on 21 Oct 2025

• A bilateral visa waiver now covers stays and transit of up to 90 days.
• The waiver applies to holders of diplomatic, official and ordinary passports.
• Signatories were Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Senegal’s Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang, with both heads of state present.

Who is eligible and how long you can stay

• Eligible travelers: citizens of Kenya and citizens of Senegal.
• Permitted stay: up to 90 days per visit for short‑stay purposes such as tourism, business visits, family visits or transit. Overstays are not permitted.

Passport types covered

• Diplomatic, official and ordinary passports are included under the waiver.

Do you still need an eTA or any pre‑clearance?

• Implementation timing and any residual requirements will be set by the two governments. Regional reporting notes officials will confirm the start date and any operational steps.
• Kenya’s official immigration pages still state that all visitors must hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorization before travel. Travelers should check for the latest operational notice before booking.
• Kenya has separately expanded visa‑free access for most African nationals since 1 July 2025, as widely reported, but travelers should rely on current government guidance at time of departure.

Quick how‑to if an eTA is required for your trip to Kenya
1) Complete the online form and upload the passport biodata page and travel details. Processing is typically within three working days.
2) Carry your approval to check in and present it on arrival with your passport.
Apply now.

Passport validity and entry rules

• Kenya: on arrival, you must present a passport valid for at least 6 months and comply with entry formalities such as biometric capture.
• Senegal: official guidance indicates visa‑free entry for listed nationalities, including Kenya, for stays under three months, with passports valid for at least 6 months. The new Kenya‑Senegal waiver reconfirms and updates this reciprocity to 90 days.

Other visa types you may need

• Study or work is not covered by the visa‑free waiver. Travelers must obtain the appropriate permit or pass in advance.
• Kenya: long‑stay work and residence services are handled on the Foreign Nationals Services portal.
• Senegal: visas for non‑exempt nationalities are issued by Senegalese consulates.

Why this matters and the wider context

• Trade between Kenya and Senegal was only about 4.5 million US dollars in 2024, underscoring untapped potential that easier mobility can help unlock.
• The two governments plan to convene a Joint Cooperation Commission, with Kenya offering to host the first session in the second half of 2026, to deepen ties and remove barriers.
• Kenya opened a resident embassy in Dakar in January 2020 to strengthen links with Francophone West Africa, later officially inaugurated by President Ruto in January 2023.

Key official links

• Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services eTA guidance and traveler rules.
• Senegal Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa information.

Useful tips for travelers

• Carry a return or onward ticket and accommodation details. Expect biometric capture on arrival in Kenya.
• Check airline requirements, since carriers verify entry documents and may deny boarding without required authorizations.
• Confirm health and vaccination guidance with official channels before departure.

Timeline at a glance

• 21 Oct 2025: Kenya and Senegal sign a reciprocal 90‑day visa waiver. (
• From 1 Jul 2025: Kenya expands visa‑free entry for most African nationals as reported, though travelers must follow current immigration notices.
• 2026 H2: Target window for the first Kenya‑Senegal Joint Cooperation Commission session. )

Sources

• Kenya Broadcasting Corporation report on the 90‑day waiver and passport coverage. (kbc.co.ke)
• Citizen Digital report naming the signatories and 90‑day limit. (citizen.digital)
• The Standard coverage of the 90‑day waiver and passport categories. (standardmedia.co.ke)
• The EastAfrican on implementation timing and operational requirements. (theeastafrican.co.ke)
• Ecofin Agency on the agreement, JCC plan, and 2024 trade figure. (ecofinagency.com)
• Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services for eTA rules, traveler obligations and passport validity. (immigration.go.ke)
• Senegal Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visa regime and passport validity guidance. (diplomatie.gouv.sn)
• Government of Kenya communications on opening the Dakar embassy. (president.go.ke)