The Kenyan High Commission in Maputo has warned Kenyan nationals residing or visiting Mozambique against overstaying beyond the permitted 90-day visa-free period, following a surge in reported breaches of the two countries’ travel agreement.
In a statement issued on Monday, the mission led by Ambassador Philip Githiora cautioned citizens to strictly adhere to Mozambican immigration regulations. “An increase in cases of Kenyan nationals overstaying in Mozambique has been noted. Such actions amount to a violation of Mozambican immigration laws and attract penalties, including possible legal repercussions,” the High Commission said.
The diplomatic mission urged Kenyans “to comply with the permitted duration of stay to avoid inconveniences, fines, or other sanctions.” The warning underscores Kenya’s growing concern about compliance with bilateral travel frameworks, particularly as African nations move to strengthen free movement while cracking down on abuse of visa-exemption arrangements.
The 2018 visa-free agreement between Kenya and Mozambique allows citizens of both countries holding valid passports to enter and stay for up to 90 days without a visa. However, the High Commission noted that some Kenyans have been misusing the arrangement by extending their stay illegally, prompting the current advisory.
Kenya’s warning also comes as African countries expand their visa-free and open-border policies. Under Kenya’s 2024 immigration reforms, citizens from all African nations can now enter the country visa-free for up to 90 days, eliminating the need for Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) and standard visa applications.
The High Commission’s reminder reinforces Kenya’s commitment to mutual respect of regional mobility agreements and highlights the importance of responsible travel conduct. It also reflects broader diplomatic efforts to ensure that visa-free travel does not translate into legal vulnerabilities for citizens abroad.
Both Kenya and Mozambique continue to enjoy strong bilateral relations, with ongoing collaboration in trade, defense, and education. However, the recent advisory suggests an increased vigilance by both governments to ensure adherence to cross-border protocols designed to foster lawful travel and cooperation within the region.
