Eight African countries allow visa-free entry to travellers from 198 locations, demonstrating a perfect level of openness
Key takeaways:
Eight African countries, including Burundi, Cape Verde, and Kenya, lead the way with a perfect score of 198, setting the standard for unrestricted accessibility and visa-free entry.
Nations with high scores will likely attract increased tourism, business opportunities, and cultural exchange, positioning themselves as hubs for international engagement.
Nigeria has a score of 49 out of 198, showing a relatively low openness.
Africa’s openness has reached remarkable levels, with eight countries achieving a perfect score of 198 on the Henley Openness Index. These nations have set a benchmark for accessibility by allowing entry to all nationalities without prior visas.
Africa is the hardest-hit region, with 14 countries under partial visa restrictions, including Nigeria, limiting travel for business, tourism, and study.
Temporary bans target B‑1/B‑2 visas for business and tourism, and may also affect F‑1 student, M‑1 vocational, and J exchange visitor visas, impacting students, trainees, and cultural exchange participants.
Other affected regions include the Caribbean, Asia, and South America, showing the temporary restrictions span multiple continents.
Exemptions exist for lawful permanent residents, diplomats, and travellers with valid pre-existing visas, so not all citizens from these countries are blocked from entering the US.
