The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, Dr. Vincent Biruta and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives who also serves as current President of the 76th UN General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, signed the Agreement on behalf of Rwanda and Maldives respectively on 05th May 2023.

Basically, the agreement allows holders of Rwandan valid passports to be issued a 30-days free visa on arrival in Maldives, and reciprocally, Maldivians get a 30-days free visa on arrival in Rwanda.

The agreement hence preserves the nationals of Rwanda and Maldives from the hassles of applying for visa prior to traveling to either countries.

It will also strengthen the bilateral ties between Rwanda and Maldives and enable the people to people relations.

Rwanda and Maldives established bilateral relations on 6th September 2019.

Relations grew faster and stronger, and in June 2022, both countries signed five agreements in Kigali, to foster bilateral cooperation.

Rwanda and Maldives are both members of the Commonwealth Organization and support each other on various multilateral levels.

Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations, both countries have strengthened ties through reciprocal high level visits.

Rwanda and Maldives have signed visa exemption agreement.

Minister Biruta and his counterpart of Maldives exchanging documents after signing the agreement.