Rwanda visa policy

Rwanda visa policy states rules and restrictions regarding entry to the country. There are many types of Rwanda visas. They differ according to nationality, number of entries, travel purpose, and length of stay.

The Rwanda online visa is one of the best options, as it can be obtained in online process without visiting the embassy or consulate. Travelers only need to complete the application form within minutes, cover the fee, and wait for confirmation. Then, they will receive their single-entry visa via email in PDF form.

Also, applying for a visa on arrival at the border or for a regular visa at the embassy is possible. A valid passport for at least 6 months is necessary in all cases.

If you plan to go to Rwanda for less than 30 days and are eligible, a Rwanda eVisa is the best choice. In the case of a longer stay and purpose different than tourism, contact with the nearest embassy or consulate is necessary.

What is more, the Rwanda entry requirements are simple to meet. You need to prepare a passport with a validity period of at least 6 months, a visa (if needed), and a yellow fever vaccination certificate (in case you travel from the risk area). Check everything twice before your trip.

Who can enter Rwanda?

All visitors who meet the Rwanda entry requirements and have the necessary documents can enter Rwanda without problems.

Currently, there is no need to show COVID-19 vaccination proof/testing or to complete the Passenger Locator Form. However, it is recommended to vaccinate before the trip.

Entry Requirements to Rwanda

According to the visa policy of Rwanda, all travelers who want to visit Rwanda must meet the entry conditions. They must prepare a valid visa, a passport that won’t expire within the next 6 months, and a yellow fever vaccination proof (in case of traveling from the risk area).

Documents checklist for entering Rwanda

Below we present a list of necessary documents to Rwanda:

• a passport that is valid for the next 6 months with one blank page
• a valid visa
• a yellow fever vaccination certificate (if a traveler comes from the risk area).

Note that requirements may change anytime, so it is advisable to check all the news.

Methods of Getting a Visa for Rwanda

Almost all travelers must have a visa to stay in Rwanda. There are several ways to obtain a Rwanda visa. It is possible to do it online, at the embassy, or on arrival.

The fastest way is to apply for a Rwanda eVisa, as the application process can be done online from any part of the world. The Rwanda electronic visa can be used for tourism, transit, or visiting friends/family for up to 90 days.

Longer stays and different purposes require contact with the embassy or consulate. Note that some nationalities can’t apply for a tourist visa online.

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

Rwanda tourist visa online, also called an electronic visa, can be obtained from 160 countries. Only completion of the application form and covering the fee are necessary.

The Rwanda eVisa application process is easy and convenient, and no visit to the embassy is required. It is a single-entry tourist visa that enables a 30 or 90 days stay in the country.

Visa on arrival

Rwanda tourist visa on arrival is available for certain nationalities. Eligible travelers can apply for a visa after entry to the country and stay there for up to 30 days. However, it is recommended to get an online visa.

Regular visa

A regular visa is needed in case travelers want to stay in Rwanda for more than 3 months, for a different purpose than tourism/transit, or are not eligible for a Rwanda eVisa.

Countries and regions which require a visa for entry into Rwanda

Check if your country is on a certain visa list before the trip.

Electronic visa

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

Regular visa

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

Visa on arrival

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

Visa-free entry
Free entry for 6 months:

• Burundi
• Kenya
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• South Sudan

Free entry for 90 days:

• Angola
• Benin
• Congo
• Central African Republic
• Ivory Coast
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Haiti
• Indonesia
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Mauritius
• Philippines
• Sierra Leone
• Senegal
• Chad
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Qatar
• Singapore
• Seychelles

Free entry for diplomatic and service passports holders:

• United Arab Emirates
• China
• Djibouti
• Ethiopia
• Gabon
• Israel
• India
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Turkey

Entry requirements for children

There are no specific requirements for children who travel to Rwanda. They need to meet all conditions like adults: have a valid passport for at least 6 months, a valid visa, and a yellow fever vaccination (in case they come from the risk area).

Transit information

All visitors who want to transit through Rwanda and then reach their final destination must have a visa if they are not from a visa-free country and plan to leave the transit zone at the airport.

Important information

• Rwanda visa can be obtained online, on arrival, or at the embassy.
• Rwanda online visa is a single-entry visa that enables up to a 30 or 90-day stay in the country.
• A valid passport is necessary if you want to obtain a Rwanda visa and cross the boundary.
• There are no COVID-19 restrictions at the moment, but the situation may change, so check all the news.
• A passport valid for at least 6 months, a valid visa, and yellow fever vaccination proof (if needed) are necessary to enter Rwanda.
• A transit visa is necessary in case the traveler wants to leave the transit zone as a non-visa-free citizen.