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Rwanda Replaces Single Nation Passports with EAC E-Passports

samrack August 22, 2020

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A man is lifted by police during a protest in Bujumbura on May 13, 2015. A top Burundian general announced today the overthrow of President Pierre Nkurunziza, following weeks of violent protests against the president's bid to stand for a third term. (Landry Nshimiye/Getty Images)

Rwanda Replaces Single Nation Passports with EAC E-Passports

Rwanda immigration department has announced that it will phase out all single-nation passports issued before June 2021. The Director-General says the passports will be replaced by the Rwanda East African electronic passports after June 27, 2021.

Holders of the Rwandan passport have a two-year grace period to replace their passports starting in June, 2019. Rwanda says the issuance of the East Africa e-passport is in line with East Africa Community (EAC) commitment to promote regional integration.

The immigration department says that applicants should utilize Rwanda’s government online portal to apply for the e-passports.

EAC members passed the resolution to issue the East African e-passports during the 17^th ordinary summit in March 2016. EAC partner states; Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have already rolled out the e-passports that grant holders access to more countries devoid of stringent visa requirement.