Carrier Obligations

Obligations of carriers include:

  1. Verification of Passenger Documentation; Carriers are required to ensure that all passengers possess valid travel documents before boarding, including valid travel document, eTA and compliance with any other immigration requirements, such as a return or onward ticket where applicable.
  2. Carrier Liability
    Carriers are held liable if they transport passengers who do not have valid entry documents. The liability applies if:
    • A passenger arrives in Kenya without the required eTA or entry permit.
    • A passenger’s passport or travel document is invalid or expired.
    • The passenger does not meet the entry conditions specified by the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act.
  3. Provision of Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data
    Carriers are obligated to submit API and PNR to the Directorate of Immigration Services before the arrival of their aircraft, vessel, or vehicle.
    https://kenyalaw.org/kl/fileadmin/pdfdownloads/LegalNotices/2024/LN1_2024.pdf
  4. Return of Undocumented Passengers
    Carriers are responsible for returning any passenger to their point of origin or a location where they are admissible if the passenger is denied entry into Kenya for lacking proper documentation or non-compliance with immigration laws.
  5. Reporting of Irregularities
    Carriers must report to the immigration authorities any suspicious or irregular activities related to passenger documentation or travel behavior.
  6. Compliance with Health Regulations
    Carriers are also obligated to ensure that passengers meet health requirements as stipulated by Kenyan law.
  7. Fines and Penalties for Non-Compliance
    Carriers that fail to comply with these obligations are subject to fines, penalties, or other legal actions as stipulated under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations, 2012. Fines may be levied for each passenger transported without valid documentation, and repeated violations can lead to increased sanctions.

Border Management