Authorities in Kenya as well as those in Eritrea have reached an agreement to facilitate the travel process by lifting the visa requirements for citizens of each other’s countries.
According to both countries’ authorities, the new decision would further tighten the bilateral relations, and also facilitate the travel process, VisaGuide.World reports.
A report provided by the Capital News shows that in the meeting held between the President of Kenya, William Ruto as well as his counterpart from Eritrea, Isaias Afwerki, the leaders also agreed to tighten cooperation in the African Union, “in the spirit of Pan-Africanism”.
“We will keep working together to promote regional trade and investment,” President Ruto, pointed out in this regard.
In addition, they also agreed to cooperate and consult on regional integration and also to safeguard regional peace, as well as the development and security in the Horn of Africa.
The presidents of both countries also discussed the importance of promoting regional trade as well as an investment through developing regional, sea, land and air transport.
At present, all Kenyan citizens are required to have a visa when planning to travel to Eritrea and vice versa, however, the recent changes will contribute to further easing the travel process.
Under the current rules, travellers from Kenya are obliged to fulfil the requirements mentioned below, among others, in order to apply for an Eritrean visa:
- Hold a valid passport from Kenya which is valid for at least six months from the intended arrival date
- Completed and signed visa application form
- In case of an applicant is a minor, the parents or legal guardians are required to sign the form
- Three photographs (size 4.5 x 3.5 cm)
- Proof of financial capability
- Copy of a return flight ticket
- Proof of accommodation or hotel reservation
Authorities in Kenya, in November, announced that they reached a visa-free travel agreement with South Africa whose decision will become effective starting from January next year.
Through an agreement reached between both countries’ presidents, it was emphasized that citizens of both countries would be eligible to enter each other countries.
At present, all those who hold a valid Eritrean Passport can travel visa-free to the following countries:
- Benin
- Cook Islands
- Dominica
- Haiti
- Micronesia
- Niue
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- The Gambia
- Uganda
According to the VisaGuide Passport Index, which ranks worldwide countries’ passports in terms of the number of destinations their holders can access visa-free, Kenya is ranked in the 122nd position, while its passport has a score of 72.8. At the same time, Eritrea is ranked in the 182nd position, while its passport has a score of only 44.8.