Has Kenya’s New eVisa System in 2015 Reduced Visa Queues at Nairobi Airport?

Since Kenya launched its new eVisa system in mid-2015, the visa application process at Nairobi Airport has undergone significant changes. For many travelers, the process has become more streamlined and efficient, with reduced queues and fewer people needing to wait at the desks to apply for visas. However, does this new system truly alleviate the problem of long queues?

The Shift from Traditional Paper Visas to eVisas

Previously, travelers had to visit embassies in their home countries to obtain paper visas, which often resulted in long queues and bureaucratic delays. With the introduction of the eVisa system, the structure of the process has changed significantly. The impact of this shift on Nairobi Airport can be observed in the reduced queues at the visa application desks. My recent flight from Europe to Nairobi saw only one or two people heading for the desks to apply for paper visas; everyone else seemed to have already secured their eVisas.

Efficiency of eVisa Processing

The processing of eVisa holders and paper visa applicants has become more efficient. Those with eVisas had a few people in front of them, compared to longer lines for those needing to apply for paper visas. It's worth noting that while eVisa holders do not receive a physical paper visa, they are given an entry stamp. The eVisa and entry form are kept by the immigration officer, similar to going to a country where no visa is required.

Knowledge Dissemination and Usage

Interestingly, during the flight from Europe to Nairobi, cabin crew were still passing out paper visa applications. This suggests that the new system has not yet fully permeated the agent knowledge base or that awareness is still limited. The overwhelming majority of non-EAC passengers had either an eVisa in hand or proper paper visas, indicating that the new system is more adopted than it might seem from the departure point.

The Need for Widespread Awareness

While the eVisa system can significantly reduce visa queues, awareness about its availability and benefits is crucial for its full adoption. The government needs to actively promote the eVisa system through embassies, high commissions, and contracted visa issuance locations. Despite its advantages, many governments do not adequately spread this information, leaving travelers in the dark and resulting in continued queuing issues at visa lounges.

Conclusion

The new eVisa system in Kenya has made a noticeable difference in the visa application process at Nairobi Airport. However, the full benefits of this system can only be realized with increased awareness among travelers. Greater efforts are needed to inform and educate the public about the eVisa application process to ensure that the system's intended efficiency is achieved.