Rwanda bold decision to allow a visa-free regime for all citizens of all countries.
Monrovia, Liberia – Rwanda has made the bold choice to grant visa-free travel to all nationals of all nations as of January 1, 2018. Since Rwanda is a member of several international organizations, including the AU, EAC, Commonwealth, etc., its members are entitled to free visas for a 30-day stay as part of their policy.
EAC citizens have free entry with no visa and a 6 month stay in line with Common Market Protocol. In accordance with the AU Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA, Rwanda also offers visa-free travel to several African nations for stays of up to 90 days. This policy has a major economic impact and promotes regional and continental integration. When consider every aspect of Rwanda’s economic development, Minister Prudence Sebahizi said, the visa-free policy has been a driving force behind Rwanda’s rapid growth.
The fact that even for people who are not on Rwanda list is emphasized. They may still apply for a visa online without the assistance of middlemen, and the cost is no more than $50 for a single entry or $70 for repeated entries, Minister Prudence Sebahizi added.
The economic prosperity of Africa greatly depends on this approach. By opening up, “we are drawing companies to Rwanda, one of the world’s most business-friendly nations. Travel, investments, and visitors are welcome, and international conferences are welcomed.”
A significant contributor to the nation’s exports, the tourist industry aims to double its revenue within the next five years, and it is reported that Rwanda will keep enforcing the visa-free policy until the end.
As they experience the finest of Rwanda’s hospitality sector and engage with the Rwandan people, tourists from across the world are able to learn about Rwandan culture. In this regard, Rwanda has set the standard and been a leader. The nation may take the lead in AfCFTA and EAC integration.
“I would want to propose that landlocked nations have absolutely no justification for limiting people’s freedom of movement, given the surge in cross-border commerce, particularly Rwanda’s trading with its neighbors,” Minister Prudence Sebahizi maintained.
As an illustration, despite reports of security concerns, a startling 25,000 to 30,000 cross-border traders conduct business every day between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The traffic in Rwanda’s eastern, northern, and southern regions is the same.
“The justification of security threats is the second feature of this approach. Rwanda disagrees with that idea, as it is crucial to invest in the nation’s institutions, security, governance, and oversight since, in the end, tourists and business travelers would always utilize the official routes, such as borders and airports. Criminals won’t cross the official borders, thus the strategy itself can’t exacerbate security issues; instead, it should address the problem of illicit migration and smuggling. As I conclude, the advantages of a visa-free policy outweigh the disadvantages, and the cost of not permitting one is higher.”
