Editor, RE: “New visa fees come into force” (The New Times, August 1). The Directorate of Immigration and Emigration is, without a doubt, among the most efficient and pro-active Government agencies in Rwanda. I say this with firm conviction having experienced on a very regular basis, the world-class service the office offers. Though the normal turnaround time for obtaining a visa acceptance letter in response to an online visa application pegged at three working days, this most efficient Directorate will invariably ensure that the same is delivered to your in-box in less than one working day. What baffles me till today is how, in one particular case, the visa acceptance letters were back in my in-box in a matter of just sixteen minutes after I had sent the online applications. It is no wonder, therefore, that they win many accolades for excellence in service. My only request to the Directorate of Immigration and Emigration is to kindly include the online facility even for group visas. We have a group of 46 pilgrims travelling from Mumbai, all the way to Remarkable Rwanda with the sole purpose of visiting Kibeho. While the Rwanda High Commission in New Delhi is always extremely supportive and helpful, the sheer exercise of having to send so many passports all the way to New Delhi is laborious, time-consuming and also very expensive. If all other types of visas can be applied online, then the introduction of online group visas will definitely boost tourism in Rwanda. RwandAir will start, in less than five months, direct flights from Kigali to Mumbai and back. Let us build up the momentum from now and make group visas available with the click of a mouse. Clarence Fernandes
