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Rwanda Visa Policy

Find out Rwanda’s visa policy for foreign nationals from different countries around the world.

Visa Policy for Rwanda

The visa policy of Rwanda is the country’s list of rules and regulations regarding who must have a visa or travel authorization to enter and which type is required.

There are different types of visa for Rwanda. The kind of visa required depends on the traveler’s nationality. It also varies according to the length of time they plan to stay and the purpose of their trip.

Nationals of most countries can obtain a visa for visiting Rwanda easily by applying online.

The electronic visa (eVisa) for Rwanda allows travelers to fill in a quick form and receive a visa by email. This is the fastest and most convenient option available under Rwanda’s visa policy.

Rwanda also has a visa on arrival (VoA) scheme. Travelers of certain nationalities can apply for a visa at the border. However, visitors may have to deal with long lines upon arrival.

The process of applying for a VoA generally involves a lot of unnecessary time spent at border control. It is advisable to apply for a visa online in advance if possible.

According to the Rwandan visa policy, citizens of certain countries must apply for a visa at an embassy. This includes tourist visas for Rwanda and other types of visa for short visits or for transit.

Foreign nationals who plan to live or work in Rwanda must follow a different process to short-term visitors.

The Rwanda immigration policy requires citizens of all foreign countries to apply for a long-term visa at an embassy or consulate and then apply for a residence permit and work permit once they have arrived in the country.

Rwanda issues different visas for different purposes. The eVisa system and visa on arrival service provide options for getting a tourist or transit visa. Other types of visa, such as official, business, conference, and job search visas must be applied for at an embassy.

Find below a comprehensive guide to the visas required to travel to Rwanda under the terms of the nation’s visa policy.

Tourist Visa Policy for Rwanda

The majority of travelers taking a holiday to Rwanda will need a tourist visa.

According to the Rwandan tourist visa policy, there are several ways to obtain permission to visit for tourism. The options available depend on the visitor’s nationality.

Travelers can get a Rwanda tourist visa online. This is the quickest and simplest way, since the eVisa portal allows visitors to apply from the comfort of their own home.

Rwanda eVisas can be used for tourism, transit, or visiting family in the country.

Tourist visas obtained online can be used to stay in Rwanda for up to 30 days.

For longer stays, travelers will have to apply for a different type of tourist visa or long-stay visa at a Rwandan embassy or consulate.

Travelers of certain nationalities are not eligible to use the eVisa system. These passengers must therefore apply for a tourist visa at an embassy, in line with the Rwanda visa policy.

There are also a number of nationalities who can apply for a tourist visa on arrival in Rwanda. However, this comes with certain drawbacks, such as long waiting times at the border.

Rwanda tourist visas are typically valid for a single entry to the country.

Browse the map below to find out which visa is required by travelers from different countries.

eVisa for Rwanda

The electronic visa (or eVisa) for Rwanda is a digital system that allows foreign nationals to apply for their travel permit online.

According to the country’s visa policy, nationals of over 160 countries can obtain a Rwanda eVisa online.

This is done by completing a short application form. Within a few minutes, travelers can enter the required details and submit the request. This includes basic personal, passport, and contact details, as well as travel information.

A valid passport issued by one of the eligible countries is needed to complete the online application. A digital copy (scan) must be uploaded, along with the individual’s travel itinerary.

The visa is then received within a few business days by email.

The eVisa for Rwanda is a single-entry visa. It can be used to visit the country as a tourist, stay with family living in Rwanda, or to transit through the state on the way to another destination.

Electronic visas for tourism or family visits allow the holder to stay for up to 30 days.

Transit eVisas for Rwanda permit up to 3 days in the country before the onward flight.

Under the terms of the Rwanda visa policy, if a traveler plans to stay for more than 30 days, they should enquire about the relevant visa at an embassy instead.

For visits of 30 days and less, the eVisa is by far the quickest and most convenient way to get a visa for Rwanda.

See below a complete list of the countries whose citizens can apply online for a Rwanda eVisa.

eVisa for Rwanda: Country list

  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Andorra
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahamas
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bhutan
  • Bolivia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Bulgaria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Cape Verde
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Comoros
  • Congo
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cuba
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Djibouti
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Ethiopia
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Guinea
  • Guinea Bissau
  • Guyana
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Ivory Coast
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Laos
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Mali
  • Malta
  • Mauritania
  • Mexico
  • Moldova
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Namibia
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • North Korea
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palestinian Territory
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Qatar
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Samoa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia
  • Sierra Leone
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sudan
  • Suriname
  • Swaziland
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Thailand
  • Timor Leste
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • United States Virgin Islands
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Rwanda Visa On Arrival

The visa on arrival for Rwanda is a type of visa that can be applied for and obtained at the border. It is issued at certain international airports and land border crossings.

Over 30 nationalities are currently eligible for the Rwanda VoA.

It is possible to obtain tourist visas and a number of other visa options for Rwanda on arrival.

For example, business visas and conference visas can also be obtained at entry points such as Kigali International Airport and all land border checkpoints.

Tourist and conference visas on arrival for Rwanda allow a single-entry.

They are valid for 30 days, meaning that overland travelers can go to the border to apply, but do not have to enter the country immediately.

Business visas on arrival are issued as multiple-entry visas and are valid for one (1) year from the date of issue.

Travelers must have a valid passport that will not expire for at least 6 months after the date of entry to Rwanda.

Visitors applying for a VoA should take care to bring the required documentation. In the event that an important document is forgotten or lost, or there is any other problem with the visa application, they may be denied entry to Rwanda.

It is highly recommended to apply online in advance if possible. This allows time to resolve any issues and avoids long queues at the border.

Consult the list below for nationalities who can get a visa on arrival for Rwanda.

Rwanda Visa On Arrival: Country list

  • Angola
  • Belize
  • Benin
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Burundi
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Dominica
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Ghana
  • Haiti
  • Indonesia
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Lesotho
  • Macau
  • Macedonia
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritius
  • Monaco
  • Nauru
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • San Marino
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Senegal
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • South Sudan
  • Tanzania
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Vanuatu

Embassy or Consular Visa Required for Rwanda

Rwandan embassy or consular visas are any type of visa issued by a diplomatic mission abroad.

Citizens of over 40 different countries are required to apply for all types of visa at a Rwandan embassy or high commission. This includes short-term tourist visas, family visit visas, and transit visas.

In addition, all foreign nationals who wish to stay in Rwanda in the long term, work in the country, and/or perform any activity not covered by an eVisa or visa on arrival must apply for the relevant visa type at an embassy.

Rwanda has diplomatic missions to many countries around the world. Rwandan embassies are usually located in foreign capitals. Some other major cities host high commissions.

Travelers who live in countries without a Rwandan diplomatic mission will have to visit another country to apply for a visa at the embassy there.

To obtain a Rwanda embassy visa, it is necessary to go to the mission in person. The applicant must complete the necessary paperwork and bring the supporting documents required.

Embassies typically take longer to process visa requests for Rwanda than the online service. Travelers are advised to apply well in advance.

Find below a list of countries whose citizens are required to apply for all types of visa at an embassy, including for short-term visits.

Embassy or Consular Visa Required for Rwanda: Country list

  • Aland Islands
  • American Samoa
  • Anguilla
  • Antarctica
  • Aruba
  • Bermuda
  • Bonaire
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • Cayman Islands
  • Christmas Island
  • Cocos Islands
  • Cook Islands
  • Curacao
  • Falkland Islands
  • Faroe Islands
  • French Guiana
  • French Polynesia
  • Gibraltar
  • Greenland
  • Guadeloupe
  • Guam
  • Guernsey
  • Isle of Man
  • Jersey
  • Martinique
  • Mayotte
  • Montserrat
  • New Caledonia
  • Niue
  • Norfolk Island
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • Reunion
  • Saint Barthelemy
  • Saint Helena
  • Saint Martin
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • Sint Maarten
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
  • Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Tokelau
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Wallis and Futuna

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