UAE signs visa waiver agreement with Congo

UAE nationals will no longer need pre-entry visas to visit Congo in Africa, official news agency WAM reported.

The announcement comes after the Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Congo to exempt Emirati passport holders from prior visa requirements to enter Congo.

“We signed an MoU on the mutual exemption of visa requirements, as part of an initiative by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to strengthen the stature of the UAE passport,” said Anwar Gargash, minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The latest move is part of efforts to improve the UAE’s bilateral relations with other countries, through promoting cooperation in the areas of tourism, business and investment, he said.

The ministry has been undertaking several diplomatic and consular efforts to strengthen the country’s international profile.

The latest agreement follows similar deals announced this year with Guyana, Tonga, China, Ireland, Paraguay and Guinea.

Also read: Guyana eases visa restrictions for UAE passport holders

The UAE has been steadily improving the strength of its passport in the last few years.

An updated ranking on Passport Index released on Tuesday revealed that the UAE passport has become the fourth most powerful passport in the world.

Emirati passport holders can now travel to 162 countries either without a visa or with a visa on arrival.

Also read: Revealed: World’s top 10 best and worst passports for travel in 2018