The government has warned foreigners entering Kenya under visa-free or tourist arrangements against engaging in employment, trade or business without the requisite permits.
Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui said the government would revoke visas of foreigners found violating the conditions under which they were admitted into the country.
Kinyanjui said the clarification followed President William Ruto’s recent pronouncement on the government’s policy regarding foreigners engaged in local trade and other economic activities.
Kenya introduced a visa-free entry regime for visitors from across the world on January 1, 2024, while in January 2025 the government removed Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) requirements for citizens of most African countries.
According to Kinyanjui, the measures have had a positive impact on tourism and investment, and the government would continue implementing the policy.
However, he said the government had identified cases where some visitors were misusing visa arrangements by engaging in activities outside the terms of their admission.
“There has been deliberate misuse of visa applications by some visitors, leading to persons on investor or tourist status engaging in activities contrary to the provisions of the grant,” Kinyanjui said.
He said the government was particularly concerned about the high number of foreigners operating in the retail and local trade sectors without the necessary work permits.
“There is therefore a need to align their activities and ensure compliance with work permit provisions,” he said.
The CS stressed that visa-free entry, or exemption from eTA requirements, does not automatically grant a foreigner the right to work, trade or operate a business in Kenya.
Such activities, he said, remain subject to immigration laws, work permit requirements and other applicable regulations.
The government also acknowledged Kenya’s obligations under the East African Community framework, saying implementation of immigration and work permit requirements would take into account the free movement of goods and people within the EAC Customs Union.
Kinyanjui said enforcement of the directive would be carried out in an orderly and transparent manner and in compliance with the law.
He assured legitimate foreign investors and businesses that Kenya remained open to them, provided they operated within the law and contributed to economic growth, job creation and national development.
“Kenya remains open and welcoming to legitimate investors and businesses that operate within the law and contribute to the country’s economic growth, job creation and development,” he said.
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