Regional Economic Communities (REC)

Regional Economic communities (RECs) are entities formed by countries within a specific region to promote economic integration, political cooperation and collective security among member states.

They do this by:

Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo

Nationals of ECOWAS member countries benefit from free movement between the ECOWAS countries.

Work and residence permits are often still required if an individual plans to live and work in a member country long term and reduced government fees are usually applied without a visa.

Countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan

Visa Policy: Citizens of EAC member states can travel freely within the region.

Work and residence permits are often still required if an individual plans to live and work in a member country long term and reduced government fees are usually applied without a visa.

Countries: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Visa Policy: Some SADC member states have bilateral agreements allowing visa-free travel for their citizens.

Work and residence permits are often still required if an individual plans to live and work in a member country long term and reduced government fees are usually applied without a visa.

Countries: Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Visa Policy: COMESA aims to facilitate easier travel among member states, with some countries offering visa waivers or simplified visa processes.

Work and residence permits are often still required if an individual plans to live and work in a member country long term and reduced government fees are usually applied without a visa.

If you are a citizen of a MERCOSUR country, you generally do not need a visa to work in another MERCOSUR member state. The Mercosur agreement is a regional trade block in South America aimed at promoting free trade and the fluid movement of goods, people, and currency among its member countries.

The main members of MERCOSUR are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Venezuela is a suspended member.

The MERCOSUR Residence Agreement allows citizens of member states to reside and work in another member state for up to two years

This agreement simplifies the process and often does not require sponsorship from an employer. However, you may need to apply for a residence permit or register with local authorities depending on the specific country.

Countries: Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru

Policy: Promotes the free movement of people, including labour mobility, among member countries.

Countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

Policy: Facilitates easier movement and employment of citizens within member states.

Countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic

Policy: Promotes regional integration, including labour mobility, reduced Immigration procedures.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises ten member countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam

Policy: Promotes the free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labour, and freer flow of capital among member states.

Immigration formalities must still be followed however there is a reduced criteria and agreements for recognition of qualifications or skills in place to allow for a smoother process.

The Gulf Cooperation Council consists of six member countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. (UAE).

UAE comprises of: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah.

Member state nationals have a simplified immigration procedure when going to work in another member state. Usually, a registration and medical only is required for the local residence permit.

The European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) are distinct entities with different purposes and memberships.

Purpose: A political and economic union aimed at fostering economic cooperation, political stability, and social progress among its member states.

Purpose: Extends the EU's single market to non-EU countries, allowing them to participate in the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital.

Members: 30 countries, including all EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway (EFTA members).

Here are the countries in the EU . Please note that not all EU countries are part of the Schengen agreement.

The Schengen Zone is a group of European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. This allows for free and unrestricted movement of people within the area.

The following countries are in the Schengen Zone but are not part of the European Union.

As of 2025, the Schengen Zone includes the following countries:

These countries have agreed to a common visa policy for short-term stays, allowing travellers to move freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.