The South African government has Scrapped Short-term Visas Requirements for Kenyans looking to visit the country for business and academia in a move that aims foster Pan-Africanism.
The new arrangement will also see Government officials travelling on official business to South Africa granted a 3-month free VISA with immediate effect.
The move comes not long after Ethiopia opened its borders to most African countries by removing the requirement to attain visa before travel, to issuing visa’s on arrivals for all visitors from other African countries.
The effort is said to be in reciprocity after Kenya set up a more responsive and straightforward online application process for short-term visas for visitors from all African countries.
This move also comes as Kenya’s immigration department steps up efforts to streamline immigration services through automation of immigration services, digitization of immigration records, and the establishment of the e-passport system.
Kenya and South Africa are said to have also agreed to step up joint efforts in combating illegal immigration and also protect the integrity of each other’s travel documents.
In a statement, the government says ‘’Kenyan Government’s proposal of issuance of study visas based on the duration of studies and renewal on application when need arises was also granted, a big win for Kenyans pursuing studies in South Africa.’’
