Qatar has granted visa-free entry to Rwandan passport holders following the approval of a mutual visa waiver agreement. The decision, made during Qatar’s Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, February 12, allows Rwandans to travel to the Gulf nation without a visa. Previously, they were only permitted a maximum 30-day visa-free stay.
Rwanda already maintains a visa-free policy for citizens of African Union member states, the Commonwealth, La Francophonie, and the East African Community, aligning with its open-border stance.
The agreement was announced during President Paul Kagame’s visit to Qatar, where he met Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation in various sectors.
Rwanda and Qatar have ongoing collaborations in defense, security, ICT, and aviation. Qatar Airways partners with RwandAir on passenger and cargo operations and has invested in the $2 billion Bugesera International Airport project, where it holds a 60% stake. The airport, set for completion in 2028, will feature a 130,000-square-meter terminal designed to handle eight million passengers annually, with plans for future expansion to accommodate over 14 million travelers.
