For African passport holders, visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to various countries can vary depending on the country of origin. Generally, African countries face more travel restrictions than holders of passports from some other regions, but there are still a number of destinations that allow visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to African passport holders. The exact list can change frequently, so it’s important to verify the latest information with the relevant embassies or official government websites.
Here’s a general list of visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations for African passport holders:
1. Visa-Free Countries for African Passport Holders
Some African countries enjoy visa-free access to several other countries. Here’s a general list based on popular regions:
1.1. African Countries (Visa-Free within the African Continent)
Most African countries have visa-free or visa-on-arrival agreements within the continent, thanks to the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Citizens of African countries can travel across the continent without needing a visa.
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Cape Verde
- Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Namibia
- Seychelles
- South Africa
- Togo
- Tunisia
1.2. Non-African Visa-Free Countries for Some African Passport Holders
These countries offer visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to certain African passport holders (specific countries may have different arrangements):
- Barbados (Visa-free for citizens of most African countries)
- Comoros Islands (Visa-free access)
- Dominica (Visa-free for stays up to 21 days)
- Fiji (Visa-free or visa on arrival for up to 4 months)
- Gambia (Visa-free access for African countries)
- Haiti (Visa-free for African countries)
- Maldives (Visa-free or visa on arrival for 30 days)
- Mauritius (Visa-free access for all African countries)
- Seychelles (Visa-free access for all African countries)
- Tanzania (Visa-free access for most African countries)
- Zanzibar (Visa-free or visa-on-arrival for many African countries)
1.3. Caribbean and Pacific Islands
- Saint Kitts and Nevis (Visa-free for up to 90 days for many African countries)
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Visa-free for many African countries)
- Antigua and Barbuda (Visa-free for some African countries)
- Saint Lucia (Visa-free for some African countries)
2. Visa-On-Arrival or eVisa Countries for African Passport Holders
In addition to visa-free countries, there are countries that offer visa-on-arrival or eVisa facilities for African passport holders. This means you can obtain a visa upon arrival or apply for an electronic visa online before traveling.
2.1. Countries Offering Visa-On-Arrival or eVisa to African Passport Holders
- Bolivia (Visa-on-arrival for up to 90 days)
- Cambodia (Visa-on-arrival for 30 days)
- Kenya (eVisa available)
- Madagascar (Visa-on-arrival for up to 90 days)
- Nepal (Visa-on-arrival for up to 90 days)
- Sri Lanka (eVisa or ETA available)
- Uganda (Visa-on-arrival or eVisa available)
- Zimbabwe (Visa-on-arrival or eVisa available)
2.2. Asian Countries with Visa-On-Arrival or eVisa for African Passport Holders
- India (eVisa available)
- Laos (Visa-on-arrival for up to 30 days)
- Sri Lanka (eVisa or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) available)
- Vietnam (eVisa available)
3. Important Notes
- Stay Duration: Even if you are granted visa-free or visa-on-arrival access, ensure you’re aware of the maximum stay duration in the country. Many countries allow short stays (usually 30 days) without a visa.
- Documentation: You may be required to show proof of return tickets, sufficient funds, or a hotel reservation when traveling to visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations.
- Visas Change Frequently: Visa policies can change often. Always check with the consulate or embassy of the destination country before traveling to verify the current requirements.
- Reciprocal Agreements: Some African countries have reciprocal visa-free agreements with non-African nations. This means that access can vary depending on the country issuing the passport.