This archive report was first published on 30 November 2019.
The Netherlands has announced a new visa requirement for Kenyans, effective December 1, 2019. From this date, anyone applying for a visa to the country will need to have the new East African Community biometric e-Passport.
According to a statement from the Netherlands, which is a member of the Schengen Area, only the new e-Passport will be accepted for Schengen visa applications as of December 1, 2019.
The Schengen Area is a zone comprising 26 European countries that have abolished all passport and border control at their mutual borders. The area functions as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy.
The 26 Schengen countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Kenyan passports, except for the new East African Community biometric e-Passport, will be rendered invalid from March 1, 2020, according to an official notification from the Kenyan government.
