Regulations, fees hurting EAC’s one visa plan

FILE | NATION: The five flags representing the East African Community states, worn by models, during the launch of the East African Common Market Protocol. Harmonisation of visa issuing regulations and fees have been cited as the biggest limitation that may delay the adoption of a single tourist visa for the East African Community.  NATION

By NATION CORRESPONDENT

In Summary

• According to a statement from the EAC secretariat, the introduction of a single tourist visa would now require a multi-sectoral approach as it is not confined to the immigration or tourism sectors alone.
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Harmonisation of visa issuing regulations and fees have been cited as the biggest limitation that may delay the adoption of a single tourist visa for the East African Community.

This emerged at an ongoing meeting between the chiefs of immigration and heads of the tourist boards from EAC member States to conclude a study on determining the region’s preparedness to introduce the single tourist visa.

“Other challenges cited include the development of a mechanism for sharing the financial cost of administering the single tourist visa and sharing the revenue collected,” said the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, Hon Shem Bageine.

He said the poorly developed ICT infrastructure at national level to facilitate connectivity of the entry and exit points is also a challenge.

According to a statement from the EAC secretariat, the introduction of a single tourist visa would now require a multi-sectoral approach as it is not confined to the immigration or tourism sectors alone.

This issue is, therefore, part of the agenda of the next Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Tourism and Wildlife Management which is scheduled for June this year. It will then be considered by the Council.