Kenya introduces Digital Nomad Work Permit and Long Connection Travelers ETA

KENYA – Kenya has introduced a Digital Nomad Work Permit and a Transit and Long Connection Travelers Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), making it easier for digital professionals and long-haul travelers to explore the country’s unique tourism offerings.

The new permits aim to enhance the visitor experience for long-term work or during layovers.

The Digital Nomad Work Permit is designed for global professionals who wish to live and work remotely in Kenya. At the same time, the ETA will allow transit passengers to explore the country instead of waiting in airport terminals.

Applicants to the permit must be employed by a company outside Kenya, earning an annual base salary of US$55,000 (about Ksh.7 million) and have no criminal history.

“These initiatives complement the government’s visa-free policy,” said President William Ruto.

“The Digital Nomad Work Permit targets digital professionals globally, while the Transit and Long Connection Travelers ETA offers transit visitors a chance to experience Magical Kenya.”

Kenya’s international visitor arrivals hit 2.09 million in 2023, a record high since the coronavirus pandemic. This was a growth from 1.54 million visitors in 2022.

Traditionally, digital nomads have used tourist visas to traverse their favourite destinations because they are easier to obtain than work permits.

But this puts them in an undefined position legally regarding their work.

With the digital nomad visa, Kenya joins other countries that have introduced the permit after the COVID-19 pandemic, such as Bermuda, Costa Rica, Hungary, Italy, Mauritius, Spain, South Africa, and Barbados.

According to the 2024 Digital Nomads Trends Report by MBO Partners, one in every ten workers in the U.S. alone is a digital nomad, a growth of more than 147 per cent since 2019.

Studies show that cost of living is among the top criteria digital nomads consider when selecting a destination, alongside favourable climate, diversity, and leisure activities.

These travellers have also been projected to spend more than 35 per cent of their income in the location they are staying, boosting local economies, especially in the service and consumer goods industries.

Kenya’s top five tourist source markets are the US, Uganda, Tanzania, the UK, and India. Holidays accounted for 45% of travel reasons, followed by visiting family and relatives (24%) and meetings and conferences (24%).

Tourism is Kenya’s third-largest foreign exchange earner after remittances and agricultural exports. The country is renowned for its iconic safaris and rich wildlife experiences.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE