The government has clarified that foreign nationals entering Kenya under the visa-free regime are not automatically permitted to work, trade or operate businesses in the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 7, the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry said the visa-free policy had contributed positively to tourism and investment, but raised concerns over some foreigners abusing the arrangement.
The ministry said some visitors have been entering Kenya as tourists or investors before engaging in activities that fall outside the conditions attached to their immigration status.
It further noted that the growing number of foreign nationals participating in retail and local trade had increased the need to ensure that such activities comply with Kenya’s work permit and immigration regulations.
The ministry stressed that visa-free entry, as well as exemption from Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) requirements, does not grant foreigners the right to seek employment, conduct trade or operate businesses in Kenya.
Such activities, it said, remain subject to the country’s immigration laws, work permit requirements and other applicable regulations.
“Persons found in contravention of the applicable visa provisions will have their visas revoked in accordance with the law,” the ministry warned.
The clarification comes amid broader government efforts to regulate foreign participation in Kenya’s economy while maintaining the benefits of the visa-free entry policy, particularly in tourism and investment.
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The government has also been implementing measures aimed at expanding Kenya’s international trade opportunities.
In July, the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry unveiled a 10-year strategy for implementing the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
The roadmap is intended to help Kenyan businesses, farmers, manufacturers and exporters take advantage of duty-free and quota-free access to the European Union’s 27-member market.
The strategy also seeks to strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness, expand exports, attract investment and create employment opportunities through increased trade with Europe.
Trade and Investments Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the implementation plan would help secure existing markets while opening up new opportunities for Kenyan enterprises.
European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger described the strategy as an important step towards translating the trade agreement into tangible opportunities for Kenyan businesses and exporters.
Trade Principal Secretary Regina Ombam said the plan aligns with Kenya’s broader development agenda, including Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The Kenya-EU EPA officially took effect on July 1, granting Kenyan exports duty-free and quota-free access to the EU, which is the country’s largest export market and second-largest trading partner.
The EU market is valued at approximately USD 21.2 trillion and accounts for about 21 per cent of Kenya’s annual exports.
Kenya’s key exports to the bloc include cut flowers, live plants, tea, coffee, spices, fruits, vegetables, oil seeds, and animal and vegetable fats.
Meanwhile, Kenya imports machinery, pharmaceutical products, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, paper and paper products from the European market.
The implementation strategy identifies six priority areas: sanitary and phytosanitary measures; standards and technical regulations; customs and trade facilitation; information and communication technology; structured commodity trade; and trade and sustainable development.
