adminKIGALI — Technical experts from the region are meeting in Kigali to explore the implementation of the Northern corridor projects. The experts from Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda are also discussing the harmonisation of the application form for the single tourist visa. After reaching the consensus, according to participants, the application forms will be printed and sent to all the member states’ embassies and high commissions to facilitate the tourists.
The single tourist visa spearheaded by Kigali aims to save tourists time and painstaking process of having to move from one embassy to the other while applying for different visas to travel across the three countries.
Monique Mukaruliza, Rwanda’s coordinator of the Northern corridor integration projects said while addressing the meeting in Kigali on Monday that it was necessary to have the same application form.
“We hope it will work as an advertising tool for us to attract more tourists and investors in our countries,” she said.
Mukaruliza said that countries will look into the new idea of opening up the joint bank account for the EAC single tourist visa fees.
The $100 visa, valid for three months, is paid at the point of entry or in foreign missions and issuing country takes 40 percent while the remaining two members share the 60 percent.
A holder of the single tourist visa will be able to travel around the three countries without seeking any other travel document.
The project was initiated in January 2014.The use of national identity cards as a travel document within the three countries is also allowed. — CAJ News
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