This will make travel easier and encourage more exchanges between the two countries. It will also strengthen ties between Rwanda and Dominica, opening up opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange, VisaGuide.Word reports.
Under the new agreement, citizens of Rwanda will be able to enter the territory of Dominica without applying for a visa beforehand. The same applies to citizens of Dominica who are traveling to Rwanda.
The MoU was signed last evening during a meeting between Minister Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe and Dr Vince Henderson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy of the Dominican Republic.
In September 2022, during the UN General Assembly, Rwanda and the Dominican Republic established diplomatic relations. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth.
Rwanda Signs Similar Visa Exemptions with Indonesia & Bahamas
The current deal was made on September 24, following a similar one made the day before with the Bahamas, allowing visa-free travel between Rwanda and the Bahamas. The memorandum applies to all passport holders, allowing citizens of both countries to travel without visas. This represents a significant step forward in diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the Commonwealth of Dominica.
This year, Rwanda signed an agreement with Indonesia to establish a mutual visa-free program for holders of diplomatic and service passports. Rwanda became the eighth sub-Saharan African country to open an embassy in Jakarta.
In 2023, Rwanda announced that all African nationals can enter without a visa starting November 2. This makes Rwanda one of the few African nations promoting visa-free travel across the continent, joining Gambia, Benin, and Seychelles in eliminating travel restrictions for fellow Africans.
Additionally, Rwanda signed a visa exemption agreement with Indonesia, allowing visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports from both countries. This agreement was made during a meeting in Jakarta between Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vincent Biruta and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
Currently, Rwandan citizens can travel visa-free to 32 countries, need an eVisa for nine countries, and must apply for a visa for 22 others. As of September 2024, the Rwandan passport ranks 156th on the VisaGuide Passport Index, which assesses passports from 199 countries and territories.
On the other hand, citizens of Dominica can travel visa-free to 113 countries, require an eVisa for 23 countries, and need to apply for a visa to visit 22 others. As of this month, the Dominican passport ranks 75th globally, which evaluates passports from 199 countries and territories.