Kenya Suspends Visa-Free Entry for Pakistani Nationals

Kenya has suspended an agreement that grants visa-free entry for Pakistani citizens.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday that the country will no longer admit visitors from Pakistan without entry visas, until further notice.

It cited a spike in the number of people traveling from Pakistan en route to Saudi Arabia and other destinations, through Kenya.

The ministry raised concern that Pakistani travelers were taking advantage of the visa-free agreement to violate COVID-19 quarantine regulations.

“The Government of Kenya regrets that some of these passengers are taking advantage of Kenya’s status with these countries with regard to the COVID-19 quarantine regulations. This threatens to undermine Kenya’s agreements with these countries which are put in place to ensure continuation of business and travel operations between our countries,” the ministry said in a letter to the Pakistan High Commission in Nairobi.

“Till further notice, Kenya will require visas for passengers from Pakistan to Kenya. Kenya will therefore not accept passengers from Pakistan without entry visas to the country.”

The ministry added that those who fail to abide by these provisions will be turned away and required to leave the country immediately upon arrival.