Kenyan Embassy Warns Citizens Against Overstaying 90-Day Visa-Free Period
The Kenyan High Commission in Maputo has issued a strong warning to Kenyans travelling to Mozambique, advising them not to exceed the allowed 90-day visa-free stay.
The embassy raised concerns over a growing number of Kenyan nationals who have been overstaying their permitted duration, despite the existing agreement between the two countries that clearly limits visa-free visits to three months.
In a public notice released on Sunday night, the embassy reminded travellers that the visa exemption agreement—signed between Kenya and Mozambique—only permits holders of ordinary passports to stay in the country for up to 90 days without applying for a visa.
The High Commission cautioned that staying beyond this period is considered a serious violation of Mozambique’s immigration laws and could attract heavy penalties, legal action, or even deportation.
“The Kenya High Commission in Maputo has observed an increase in cases of Kenyan nationals overstaying in Mozambique, contrary to the Agreement on Exemption from Visa Requirements for Holders of Ordinary Passports between the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of Mozambique, which has been in effect since 2018,” read part of the statement.
The Commission went on to urge Kenyans to strictly adhere to the permitted stay to avoid unnecessary trouble.
“The High Commission therefore advises all Kenyans travelling to Mozambique to comply with the 90-day limit to prevent inconveniences, fines, or other sanctions that may be imposed by local authorities,” the embassy added.
Under Mozambique’s revised immigration laws, which took effect in January 2023, foreigners who overstay their visas risk serious punishment.
These include hefty fines, detention, or being barred from entering the country again for up to 10 years in extreme cases. Authorities in Mozambique have been tightening immigration enforcement as part of their broader efforts to regulate the movement of foreigners and ensure compliance with visa policies.
The visa-free agreement between Kenya and Mozambique was officially signed on November 21, 2018, during a bilateral meeting between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and then Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi.
The deal was aimed at encouraging trade, tourism, and stronger diplomatic relations between the two nations by allowing their citizens to travel freely without the need for prior visa applications.
The latest advisory from the Kenyan embassy comes at a time when the Kenyan government is also pushing for greater regional and continental integration through easier travel policies.
In July 2025, Kenya announced the removal of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) requirement for nearly all African countries, a move that was intended to foster closer ties across the continent and boost tourism.
According to a statement released after a Cabinet meeting on July 14, the decision followed an earlier proposal made in January to simplify travel within Africa. The only exceptions to this policy were Libya and Somalia, which were excluded due to ongoing security concerns.
“With the introduction of the new open-border approach, citizens from 52 African countries can now freely enter Kenya without prior travel authorisation,” the Cabinet dispatch stated. Previously, only nationals from East African Community (EAC) member states enjoyed this exemption.
Members of the EAC—including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda—are now allowed to stay in Kenya for up to 180 days, the longest duration permitted under the new rules.
The Kenyan government noted that the policy aligns with its “open skies and open borders” vision, which seeks to enhance trade, tourism, and cultural exchange across Africa.
“As part of our efforts to strengthen regional integration and tourism growth, Kenya has granted ETA exemptions to all African countries except Somalia and Libya due to security concerns,” the statement read.
In light of these progressive travel reforms, the embassy’s latest advisory serves as a reminder that while visa-free travel enhances convenience, it also comes with strict conditions that must be respected.
Kenyans are therefore urged to observe all immigration laws when visiting Mozambique and other countries to safeguard Kenya’s international reputation and maintain good diplomatic relations.
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