Rwanda to waive visa fees for Africans, Commonwealth, OIF citizens

Rwanda is considering waiving visa fees for a broad category of visitors entering the country, President Paul Kagame was quoted as saying in London.

While speaking at the International School for Government at King’s College in London, President Paul Kagame said the will is to allow all Africans, citizens of Commonwealth nations and the Francophonie to travel to travel to Rwanda without having to pay visa fees.

“The Commonwealth is a community of values, with continued relevance for today’s world. More than one third of its member states are African. These are the reasons why Rwanda chose to join in 2009.

“In that connection, we are soon considering exempting citizens of the Commonwealth, as well as the African Union and the Francophonie, from paying visa fees when entering Rwanda,” President Kagame said.

According to the state-owned Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, RBA, Rwanda will host the 26 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM 2020 this year.

Rwanda’s visa openness has earned it top place as one of the most open in the yearly visa openness index publications.

Rwanda from January 1, 2018, started a global visa-free entry for all travelers. A communiqué released by the Directorate of Immigration and Emigration said then all travelers could enjoy 30 days visa on arrival under the regime.