Enhancing Tourism in East Africa: Visa Facilitation and Collaboration

1. Rabat Process Thematic Meeting on Visa Facilitation held on 30 November-1 December in Cabo VerdeCommon Visa Experience in Kenya With Rwanda and Uganda Presenter: Wambilianga David, Assistant Director Department of Immigration Services, Kenya

2. INTRODUCTION Issuance of visa is governed by the Kenya Citizenship and immigration Act, 2011 and the Kenya Citizenship and immigration Regulations, 2012 An MoU between, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda on the establishment of the EATV and revenue sharing modalities was signed on 27th October 2013. The East African Tourist Visa (EATV) is a project under cluster of Immigration, Tourism, Trade, Labour and Services (ITTLS) of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP). Launched during the Summit of the NCIP in February 2014. Tourism is one the key sectors under the Northern Corridor Integration Projects due to its vital role in the economies of the Partner States. Tourism related issues are handled by the Joint Tourism Marketing Committee (JTMC). Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) in collaboration with Immigration plays a key role in promoting tourism Membership of JTMC drawn from both the public and the private sector from Kenya, Rwanda & Uganda

3. VISA SOURCES • Thirty five (35) Gazetted Entry Points • e-visas • Kenya missions abroad • Immigration HQ/ Regional offices • VISA PROCESSES • Online ( ecitizen portal) • Manual

4. INTERNATIONAL TOURIST ARRIVALS:A FEW FACTS • In 2014, international tourist arrivals grew by 4.4% to 1.135 billion, generating US$1.5 trillion in export earnings. • Source markets for international tourism are traditionally from the advanced economies of Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. (UNWTO 2014 report). • Regional and domestic tourism continue to grow with the primary source markets being Europe, America and South Africa. • It is estimated that 4 out of 5 international arrivals are visitors traveling within their region (UNWTO tourism barometer 2014). • IN 2014, africa outbound market is estimated at 34m in 2014. this is expected to grow to 62m by 2030.

5. TYPES OF VISAS Persons issued with visas based on Categories 1, 2 and 3 as per our visa regulations

6. VISA REQUIREMENTS A bona fide visitor may be issued with a visitors pass on arrival at a Port of entry into Kenya valid for a period not exceeding three (3) months in the first instance provided that he meets the following requirements: • Valid passport or other travel documents including Seaman’s Discharge Book, acceptable to the Government of Kenya are required for all persons wishing to enter Kenya. • Passports must be valid for at least six (6) months. • Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement. • sufficient funds for subsistence while in Kenya and a return or onward ticket to his country of origin, domicile or destination.

7. EATV Features • EATV is strictly valid for Tourism purposes • Application made manually or online • Single entry Visa valid for 3 months from the date of issue; but it also allows multiple entry within the Partner states only. • It elapses when one moves out of the Partner States • Cannot be extended beyond the 3 months from the date of issue • The Chief of Immigration of Kenya, Rwanda or Uganda shall maintain a record of all the East Africa Tourist Visas issued by the respective Partner State • A tourist intending to travel to one of the Partners States where they are required to have a referred Visa, shall first seek clearance at the embassy of the Partner State of destination • Every incident or violation relating to an East Africa Tourist Visa shall be recorded and reported • Internal border controls

8. Tourist Facilitation Aim is to enable visitors from within the region and beyond to explore the diversity of attractions and experiences East Africa Tourist Visa International Visitors Use of IDs, & Student Cards For Nationals living in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda Resident Permits/Interstate Pass Target the huge population of residents in the region

9. Strategic Partnership

10. Collaboration With Private Sector Private/Public Sector collaboration on tourism initiatives A framework for public and private sector in the region has been developed through East Africa Tourism Platform

11. Joint Marketing International Tourism Fairs :- World Travel Market – London in November 2015 International Tourism Bourse – Berlin in March 2015 Indaba – South Africa in May 2015 Japan Association of Travel Agents – Tokyo in September 2015 AKWAABA – Nigeria in November 2015

12. EA Destination Portalwww.visiteastafrica.org One Stop Shop on everything tourism in East Africa

13. Ongoing Projects • Visitor information centers at the entry points – Airports and border points • Awareness Campaign • Regional events – Magical Kenya Travel Expo & Kwita Izina in, Kigali • Classification of hotels • Upgrading of the Destination website into a Portal

14. Benefits of EATV • Enhanced free movement of Persons, Labour and Services • Increased Revenue and Employment levels • Information Sharing • Joint Sensitization • PPP • Enhanced Border Management (OSBP, JBC)

15. CHALLENGES OF EATV • Porous Borders • Document Fraud • Human Trafficking/Smuggling • Radicalization and Violent Extremism • Terrorism (Al Shabab, ISIS) • Stand Alone visas information system • Lack of a centralized data collection point. • Delays in Visa Processing (Manual processes) • MoU vs National laws • Lack of API System

16. East Africa is growing both as a tourist source market and as a destination Over 70% of East African population is below 25year of age Opportunities abound in tourism sector – travel (Air and ground), accommodation, entertainment, sports, business, leisure, medical, education etc EATV is therefore key in driving tourism sector Finally

17. Thank You