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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is taking steps toward a common regional multiple-entry business visa.
What does the change mean? A common visa for the COMESA bloc would allow business travelers in the region to move freely among the 19 member countries with one multiple-entry visa.
Background: The common multiple-entry business visa is a step toward COMESA’s goal of removing barriers to the free movement of goods, services and people in the region. In October, COMESA leaders issued a communiqué following the annual summit of COMESA heads of state and governments underscoring the priority of relaxing and gradually eliminating visa requirements to boost business, trade and investment within the region.
COMESA comprises the following 19 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa with a combined population of 390 million: Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
BAL Analysis: A common regional business visa would be a positive step toward visa liberalization and follows the trend within Africa to remove visa barriers. Earlier this year, Benin, Ghana and Namibia all announced they would remove visas for all African Union business travelers, and Senegal eliminated business visas for all travelers.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
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