Visa requirements for African countries
Pick your nationality and an African destination to see whether you need a visa, can get one on arrival, or qualify for a visa-free stay under regional agreements such as ECOWAS, EAC and SADC.
Pick your nationality and an African destination to see the visa requirement.
How visa rules work in Africa
Africa has three major free-movement blocs that override national visa requirements for citizens of member states:
- ECOWAS — 15 West African states (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo). Citizens travel visa-free between member states for up to 90 days.
- East African Community (EAC) — 6 countries (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda). Citizens may travel and reside in any member state with their national ID.
- SADC — 16 Southern African states. Most member-state citizens can travel visa-free for up to 90 days.
Beyond these blocs, more than 25 African countries now offer eVisas through their official immigration websites, and many offer visa-on-arrival to most nationalities. Visa requirements change frequently — always confirm with the destination’s official immigration authority before travelling.
Travel planning
Once you’ve checked your visa, see our travel industry coverage for context on hotels, resorts, airlines and airports across the continent.