Chad is set to remove entry visa requirements for citizens of all African countries, with the policy taking effect on Friday, January 1, 2027. President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno made the announcement on July 15, 2026, while opening the African Water Forum in N'Djamena. He said Chad would "open its borders and eliminate entry visa requirements for all Africans as of January 1, 2027," describing the country as a natural crossroads linking West Africa, East Africa, and the northern and southern parts of the continent.
Scope of the Visa-Free Policy
The announcement applies to entry visas only. It does not automatically grant African travellers the right to work, settle permanently, or carry out professional activities in Chad without separate authorisation. Several practical details are yet to be confirmed by Chadian authorities, including the maximum permitted length of stay, acceptable travel documents, any advance registration requirements, conditions for minors, and rules governing business travel, as reported by Visa News.
Chad's official evisa.td platform already lists 14 African countries whose citizens are exempt from visa requirements: Benin, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Mali, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Togo. Citizens of all other African countries must continue to follow existing entry requirements until the new exemption comes into force.
Implementation and Existing Procedures
Since May 11, 2026, travellers who still need a visa have been required to apply online through the evisa.td platform, while diplomatic and courtesy visas remain handled separately by Chad's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The new policy will expand the current exemptions to cover all African nationalities, simplifying travel for millions.
Chad Joins a Continental Push
Chad's decision brings it in line with the African Union's goal of promoting free movement across the continent, DNE Africa reported. Togo has already allowed citizens of every African country to enter without a visa since May 18, 2026, permitting stays of up to 30 days for passport holders who submit a travel declaration through the Togolese government platform at least 24 hours before arrival. The Republic of the Congo announced a similar policy on May 25, 2026, when President Denis Sassou N'Guesso said all African citizens would receive visa-free entry from January 1, 2027, subject to administrative and security procedures that are yet to be detailed.
Limited Progress on Intra-African Travel
These reforms come against the backdrop of limited progress on intra-African travel. According to the 10th edition of the Africa Visa Openness Index, published by the African Development Bank and the African Union Commission, only 28.2% of intra-African travel was visa-free in 2025. Chad's planned opening is expected to make tourism, family visits, and business travel between the country and the rest of Africa more accessible from 2027, contributing to the continent's economic integration.
