Chad to offer visa-free entry to African travelers from January 2027

Chad plans to remove visa requirements for African passport holders from January 1, 2027, as part of its push to strengthen regional integration and make travel across Africa easier.

Chad says the new policy will support easier travel across Africa

Chad plans to remove entry visa requirements for African passport holders from January 1, 2027, marking a significant change to the country's visa policy. President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno announced the measure during the opening ceremony of the African Water Forum in N'Djamena.

According to Anadolu Agency, the decision is intended to strengthen regional integration and make it easier for people to travel, trade, and do business across the continent.

"The Chad of Toumaï, cradle of humanity, opens its borders and abolishes entry visas for all Africans from Jan. 1, 2027," President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno said during the announcement.

The decision reflects broader efforts across Africa to improve the movement of people and deepen economic cooperation under the African Union's Agenda 2063.

Chad's announcement also follows a wider regional trend toward easier travel, including the Republic of the Congo's decision to introduce visa-free entry for African travelers from January 2027.

What changes for African travelers?

If you hold a passport from an African country, Chad says you will be able to enter without a visa from January 1, 2027. Until then, current entry requirements remain in effect.

Before this announcement, many African travelers needed to obtain a visa to travel to Chad, while some nationalities already benefited from visa exemptions under existing regional or bilateral agreements.

The announced policy aims to extend visa-free access much more broadly across the continent. However, the Chadian government has not yet published detailed implementation guidance, including the permitted length of stay or whether any additional entry conditions will apply.

When does the new policy take effect?

The visa-free policy is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027. Until then, travelers should continue following Chad's existing entry requirements.

The government has not yet published operational guidance explaining how the new policy will be implemented at border crossings or whether any additional documentation will be required for visa-free travelers.

Why is Chad removing visa requirements?

President Déby said the measure reflects Chad's commitment to African integration and positioning Chad as a gateway connecting West, Central, East, and North Africa.

The government expects easier travel to encourage tourism, cross-border trade, investment, and stronger economic cooperation. The announcement also reflects the African Union's long-term goal of improving the free movement of people, goods, and services across Africa.

What if I am not eligible for visa-free entry?

If you do not hold an African passport, this announcement does not change your current travel requirements.

Travelers from outside Africa should continue following Chad's existing visa rules until the government announces any further changes.

Likewise, African travelers must continue meeting current entry requirements until the new visa-free policy officially comes into effect on January 1, 2027. Further implementation details have not yet been announced.