Rwanda has slowly reformed its visa system to be extra open to guests and businesspeople, aiming to advertise worldwide relations, cooperation, and financial progress, notably via tourism, in response to authorities officers.
The newest modifications, which embrace visa waivers for residents of greater than 100 international locations over a selected interval, are contained in Rwanda’s Visa Regime of March 10, 2020. The regime was issued by the nation’s Directorate Basic of Immigration and Emigration.
As of 2018, Rwanda’s coverage was largely primarily based on the visa-on-arrival precept, with out requiring prior utility.
On the pricing facet, visa charges should not exceed $50 for a single entry visa or $70 for a a number of entry visa [allowing the holder to enter the destination country more than once], in response to the Directorate Basic of Immigration and Emigration.
ALSO READ: Rwanda’s open border coverage comes into power
In the meantime, on November 2, 2023, throughout the twenty third World Journey and Tourism Council International Summit that happened in Kigali, President Paul Kagame stated, “Any African can get on a aircraft to Rwanda at any time when they want and won’t pay a factor to enter our nation.”
He urged shut collaboration with companions with companions to proceed “growing Africa right into a premier vacation spot for international journey.”
ALSO READ: African international locations should both liberalise air journey or perish
Listed here are three issues to know in regards to the newest Visa Regime (of March 2020):
1. A 30-day visa-free keep for AU, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie residents
Residents of African Union (AU) member international locations don’t require visas to enter and keep in Rwanda for as much as 30 days.
The AU is made up of 55 member states which signify all of the international locations on the African continent.
Residents of nations which might be members of different worldwide organisations, such because the Commonwealth and La Francophonie (Worldwide Group of Francophonie), are additionally eligible for a 30-day visa-free keep in Rwanda.
Rwanda is a member of the three aforementioned worldwide organisations.
ALSO READ: New visa regime comes into power
2. EAC residents take pleasure in a visa-free keep of six months
Residents of East African Neighborhood (EAC) member states travelling on atypical, service, and diplomatic passports are allowed to remain in Rwanda for six months with out being obliged to get a visa.
Join free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the newest in African information delivered straight to your inbox
At the moment, the EAC counts seven Companion States, particularly Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the latest member because it turned a full member of the regional bloc on July 11, 2022).
3. No visa required for a keep of 90 days for some international locations
As per the above-mentioned coverage, residents of the next international locations travelling on atypical passports take pleasure in a 90-day in Rwanda.
These are Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Sierra Leone, State of Qatar and The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis.
It’s price mentioning that this association is predicated on bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and the international locations in query.
Additionally, since DRC turned an EAC Companion State in 2022, its residents are eligible for an extended keep — six months — which is relevant to all residents of the Neighborhood.