East Africa passport visa-free countries

Traveling with an East African passport

East Africa is an eastern subregion of the African continent. However, some of the countries making up the region of Eastern Africa are also members of the East African Community. These nations include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The East African Community is an international organization established in 2000 by the force of the Treaty for Establishment, facilitating collaboration between seven EAC member states. The countries cooperate in terms of shared politics, economy, and culture. Their focus also lies in providing their citizens with the newest technology developments and the highest level of security.

Although the seven countries work together to ensure mutual and equal development of the region, their citizens cannot always travel visa-free. The travelers may cross the borders without valid visas while planning short-term visits. However, if they would like to spend a longer time abroad, they need to obtain a suitable travel document – an approved visa or a special East Africa passport.

The East African passport application process

You can apply for an East Africa passport at the immigration office of the EAC member country or at the Department of Foreign Affairs. The application procedure is not complicated, but it requires you to submit the essential documents in person at the office. What is more, depending on the number of applicants, it may be essential to wait in lengthy queues to submit the form.

In order to be eligible for the East Africa passport, you must:

• have a valid national ID of the EAC member state
• have proof of citizenship of the EAC member state
• have proof of mandatory application fee payment
• prepare two copies of biometric photographs for the passport
• include supporting documentation if required to do so

NOTE: Remember that the East African Community comprises seven different nations. Therefore, the passport application procedure may vary slightly depending on your country of origin.

Countries that Kenyan passport holders can visit visa-free

Kenyan citizens are allowed to travel visa-free to 38 countries worldwide. Therefore, to successfully cross the borders, they only need a valid Kenyan passport. There is no need to complete any time-consuming visa application procedures or schedule visits at the diplomatic missions.

As for now, Kenyan passport holders may travel without a visa to the following countries:

• Barbados
• Burundi
• Benin
• Bahamas
• Botswana
• Congo
• Cuba
• Dominica
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Micronesia
• Grenada
• Ghana
• Gambia
• Haiti
• Jamaica
• Kiribati
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Lesotho
• Mauritius
• Malawi
• Malaysia
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Philippines
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Vanuatu
• South Africa
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Singapore
• Rwanda
• Trinidad and Tobago
• South Sudan
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Eswatini

Countries that Burundian passport holders can visit visa-free

Although citizens of Burundi need a visa for some international trips, there are 16 countries they may visit without a visa. Before travel, they should only check the validity period of their Burundian passport to avoid any problems with the journey.

Burundian passport holders may travel visa-free to:

• Barbados
• Benin
• Congo
• Central African Republic
• Dominica
• Ecuador
• Micronesia
• Haiti
• Kenya
• Mauritius
• Philippines
• Uganda
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Samoa
• Singapore
• Rwanda

Countries that Congolese passport holders can visit visa-free

If you come from the Democratic Republic of Congo, you may enjoy traveling to selected 17 visa-free countries. These destinations accept Congolese passengers as long as they have a valid passport. No additional documentation is required.

A visa is not required for Congolese citizens if they are visiting:

• Barbados
• Burundi
• Benin
• Dominica
• Micronesia
• Gambia
• Haiti
• Kenya
• Mauritius
• Philippines
• Suriname
• Tanzania
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Samoa
• Zimbabwe
• Singapore
• Rwanda

Countries that Rwandan passport holders can visit visa-free

Each national of Rwanda may visit one of the 28 visa-free countries. This type of travel provides them with a great sense of freedom and independence. On arrival to selected destinations, they will be asked to present the immigration officers with a valid passport.

Rwandan passport holders can travel without a visa to:

• Angola
• Barbados
• Burundi
• Benin
• Congo
• Ivory Coast
• Dominica
• Ecuador
• Micronesia
• Grenada
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Haiti
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Mauritius
• Philippines
• Chad
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Vanuatu
• Samoa
• Qatar
• Singapore
• Sao Tome and Principe

Countries that South Sudanese passport holders can visit visa-free

Citizens of South Sudan are visa-exempt while traveling to 18 selected destinations. To cross the borders, they do not need to meet complicated visa requirements – it is enough to have a valid passport.

Nationals of South Sudan do not need a visa while traveling to the following countries:

• Barbados
• Burundi
• Benin
• Botswana
• Dominica
• Ecuador
• Micronesia
• Gambia
• Haiti
• Kenya
• Malaysia
• Suriname
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Samoa
• Singapore
• Rwanda

Countries that Tanzanian passport holders can visit visa-free

Tanzanian passport holders may travel visa-free to 39 various countries. Before the trip, they do not need to meet any specific visa requirements – it is enough to have a valid passport. Remember to check its expiry date prior to the journey.

Citizens of Tanzania may visit the following countries without a visa:

• Barbados
• Bangladesh
• Burundi
• Benin
• Bahamas
• Botswana
• Belize
• Congo
• Dominica
• Ecuador
• Fiji
• Micronesia
• Grenada
• Ghana
• Gambia
• Guinea
• Haiti
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Lesotho
• Mauritius
• Malawi
• Malaysia
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Philippines
• Uganda
• Vanuatu
• South Africa
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Singapore
• Rwanda
• Sudan
• South Sudan
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Eswatini

Countries that Ugandan passport holders can visit visa-free

Ugandan passport holders are guaranteed entry to 35 visa-free countries. For effortless travel, it is essential to prepare a valid passport that will be checked on arrival by the immigration officers.

Ugandan citizens do not need a visa while traveling to the following:

• Barbados
• Burundi
• Benin
• Bahamas
• Botswana
• Belize
• Congo
• Dominica
• Ecuador
• Eritrea
• Fiji
• Micronesia
• Grenada
• Ghana
• Gambia
• Haiti
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Lesotho
• Mauritius
• Malawi
• Malaysia
• Mozambique
• Philippines
• Tanzania
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Vanuatu
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Singapore
• Rwanda
• South Sudan
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Eswatini

NOTE: This article covers visa-free travel for nationals of East African Community member states. To visit other destinations, it may be essential to apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa), a visa on arrival (VOA), or a standard visa. Out of the three, the online visa is the easiest to obtain.