Safaris, beaches and clubbing: Kenya announces digital nomad visa

The visa is part of the country’s plan to boost tourism numbers.

Dreaming of warmer weather and long sandy beaches? Then Kenya’s new digital nomad visa will come as welcome news.

Announced this week, the Digital Nomad Work Permit will allow remote workers to temporarily station themselves in the East African country with a potential view to longer-term residency.

It is hoped the visa will boost tourism, the local economy, innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.

At the Magical Kenya Travel Expo in Nairobi on 2 October, President William Ruto also highlighted the country’s visa-free policy introduced this year, along with a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for transit passengers passing through the capital.

This allows passengers to leave the airport during their layover to explore Nairobi.

What are the requirements of Kenya’s digital nomad visa?

To get Kenya’s digital nomad visa, applicants will need to show a valid passport, proof of remote work outside Kenya, proof of accommodation within Kenya and a clean criminal record.

The minimum annual income requirement for the visa will be $55,000 (€50,000).

So far it is unclear how long the work permit will be valid for, how much it will cost or when it will be available. But it is expected that it will provide a potential pathway to long-term residency and even citizenship in Kenya.

Why visit Kenya?

Kenya also made things easier for tourists this year by introducing 90-day visa-free travel for many nationalities in January. Travellers must obtain an ETA at least 72 hours before setting off.

The ETA can be extended for a further 90 days for $50 (€45), giving a potential total stay of six months.

That’s plenty of time to explore the country’s diverse landscapes and culture. Kenya is best known for its safaris – particularly in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. But it’s also home to pristine Indian Ocean beaches and outdoor adventures such as summiting Mount Kenya and flamingo watching in the Great Rift Valley.

It’s easy to pack plenty into a short stopover in Nairobi, too, from visiting the Nairobi Giraffe Centre, shopping in the lively Maasai Market, fuelling up on Kenyan coffee or dancing the night away at the city’s vibrant clubs.

Kenya welcomed around two million international tourists in 2023. The country aims to increase this number to five million by 2027.