Rwanda to Remove Visa Fees for a Number of Countries

Rwanda has announced plans to scrap visa fees for Africans, citizens of Commonwealth nations and those from the Francophone countries, entering the country. The move seeks to ease access to Rwanda for a significant section of the international community.

In the long run, the move might place the country at a great position to host global summits due to the ease of access.

Prior to this, only 17 African countries were exempt from paying visa fees. These are Angola, Benin, CAR, Burundi, Chad, DRC, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mauritius, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

“The timing is good. Britain is looking to re-imagine its global trade and investment arrangements. And later this year, the world’s largest new free trade area (AfCTA) will become operational in Africa, covering nearly the entire continent,” said Rwanda President Paul Kagame, speaking during the UK-Africa Investment summit.

Furthermore, Rwanda’s visa-openness has earned it space among the top countries of the most open in the yearly visa openness index publications for 2019.

From 1st January 2018, Rwanda introduced a global visa free entry for all travelers policy. This enabled all travelers to enjoy 30 days visa on arrival under the regime.