In an unprecedented move, the Government of Rwanda, through the Directorate of Immigration and Emigration has announced a new visa regime that will deepen the country’s openness to the world.
The new regime will see, effective January 2018, all people travelling to Rwanda, allowed to process their visas on arrival to the country, without necessarily having to go to the country’s embassies overseas.
Currently, only holders of passports from African countries are entitled to the facility.
On reciprocal basis, Rwanda reinstated payment of visa fee upon arrival to citizens of Hong Kong that were getting free visa upon arrival. It comes after Hong Kong re-introduced visa requirements to Rwandans since April 29, 2016.
The new visa regime will also see Rwandans living abroad with dual nationality use their IDs on entry. This will waive visa fees for Rwandans coming into the country traveling on foreign passports.
Previously, Rwandans traveling into the country on a foreign passport were only granted visa free entry only if they were in possession of a valid Rwandan passport.
The new visa regime will also enable foreign residents in the country use their resident ID cards for entry. Previously foreigners living in Rwanda would have to produce their passports on entry into the country.
According to a brief by the directorate general of Immigration and Emigration, Rwanda will immediate effect grant a free 90 day visa on reciprocal basis to the following countries: Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Senegal, Seychelles and Sao Tome and Principe. This is in addition to DR Congo, East African Member Community Partner States, Mauritius, Philippines, and Singapore.
Rwandan diplomatic and service passport holders will henceforth not require visa when traveling to select countries following a move by the government to enter into visa waiver agreements. The countries include Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, India, Israel, Morocco and Turkey.
