The Government of Rwanda encourages all travelers to take out an insurance policy.

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Citizens of 24 countries do not need a visa to enter, the total stay in Rwanda must not exceed 90 days within 180 days. A period longer than 90 days means that you need to obtain a visa from a Rwandan embassy or consulate.

According to Rwanda visa policy, all travelers entering Rwanda must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival. The document must also have at least one blank page for the stamp. All tourists are recommended to have an insurance policy.

*The East African Tourist Visa (EATV) covers Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda, costs US$100 and is valid for 90 days.

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There are also a number of countries whose nationals can obtain a Tourist Visa on Arrival (VoA) to Rwanda – this is a type of visa that can be applied for and obtained at the border. It is issued at some international airports and ground border crossing points. However, this is associated with some inconveniences, such as long waiting times at the border.

Visitors applying for a VoA should take care to bring all the required documents with them. Travelers must have a valid passport that has not expired for at least 6 months after the date of entry into Rwanda. Before traveling, it is extremely important to have comprehensive medical and travel insurance, especially since the pandemic still exists.

In the event that an important document is forgotten or lost, or there are any other problems with visa processing, the tourist may be refused entry to Rwanda.

A number of other visas to Rwanda can be obtained on arrival, for example, business visas and conference visas can be obtained at points of entry such as Kigali International Airport and all land crossings. Tourist and conference visas on arrival in Rwanda allow single entry. They are valid for 30 days.

• A single-entry tourist visa costs USD 50 (exceptions apply to individual countries) and is valid for 30 days.
• A single-entry conference visa costs $30 and is valid for 30 days.

• Business visas on arrival are issued as multiple-entry visas and are valid for one (1) year from the date of issue.
• A multiple-entry business visa costs $50 and is valid for one year.

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According to the country's visa policy, citizens of more than 160 countries can apply for a Rwanda e-Visa online. To do this, you need to fill out a short application form. This includes basic personal, passport and contact details, as well as travel information. The visa will be received within a few working days by e-mail.

The Embassy of Rwanda regrets to inform you that there are several websites that sell fraudulent visas. The only two sites that can guarantee you genuine visas online are migration.gov.rw and irembo.gov.rw.  

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

Electronic visas for tourism or visiting family allow the holder to stay in the country for up to 30 days. Transit electronic visas to Rwanda allow you to stay in the country for up to 3 days before your onward flight.

According to Rwanda's visa policy, if a traveler plans to stay in the country for more than 30 days, he/she should apply for the appropriate visa at the embassy.

For visits of 30 days or less, eVisa is by far the fastest and most convenient way to obtain a Rwanda visa.

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Visa for a tourist group (multiple-entry)

A person traveling as part of a group of four to ten tourists independently or organized by a tour operator.

A tour operator is a travel agency registered to operate in Rwanda.

Individuals eligible for this visa will be required to enter Rwanda with other members of the group and leave Rwanda as part of the group. If applicants plan to enter Rwanda separately as individual visitors, they should apply for a different class of tourist visas.

Where to apply: Online/At the Customer Service Cente of the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration for renewals/At Rwanda diplomatic missions for the first application.

A group visa is issued for each member of the group.

Tour operators must apply for all group members at the same time, using the online service or at embassies. Tour operators submitting applications will be responsible for the information they provide on behalf of the applicants.

Travel document: Any genuine and acceptable travel document valid for at least 6 months.

Visa fee: USD 100 or equivalent in the foreign currency accepted at a Rwandan diplomatic mission abroad.

Visa validity: 90 days.

Work is not allowed.

Change of status: Change of status to temporary resident is not allowed. No person may change T9 status while in Rwanda except for continuation.

Visa extension: Visitor visas can be extended for a maximum stay of 180 days. For visa extension, applicants must contact the Director General. The application must be submitted while the current visa is valid.

Tour operators apply for an extension for the entire group at the same time.

Requirements:

A clear color passport-size photo on a white background, recently taken without glasses, caps and scarfs of each applicant; (the photo must be attached to the application form with glue. It is not recommended to attach the photo to the application form with a stapler).

Completely filled out questionnaire

A visa application letter addressed to the Director General of Immigration and Emigration.

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Multiple-entry tourist visa

This visa subclass is issued to:

A foreigner who wants to visit Rwanda for any purpose other than work and is not a citizen of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, Hong Kong, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, Uganda, Singapore, Great Britain and the United States of America.

A person from any country who wishes to enter Rwanda must obtain a visa appropriate to the purpose of his/her stay. This purpose must be other than visiting for vacation, sightseeing, or recreation.

An entry visa can be single-entry or multiple-entry and is valid for no more than 30 days.

An entry visa allows you to enter the country for only 30 days, and if a person wants to stay for a longer period, he/she must obtain a visa of a different class after entering Rwanda.

Applications for a visa, other than an entry visa, can be submitted to the Customer Service Center of the Directorate General in Kigali. All persons must apply independently.

Where you can apply:

Applications should be submitted at a Rwandan mission abroad or online.

Travel document: Any genuine and acceptable travel document valid for at least 6 months.

Visa fee: $US 60

Visa validity: 30 days

Visa extension: An entry visa cannot be extended.

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Tourist — Family visa

A person who wishes to visit a family member or close relative who lives and works in Rwanda. The visa allows workers temporarily residing in Rwanda to maintain contact with their relatives living outside the country.

Relatives who can visit the country are spouse, father, brother, sister, child, adopted child, aunt, niece, nephew, cousin, grandparent, grandchild, and their "degree" equivalent.

All persons must apply independently.

Where to apply: on the website of the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration or at a Rwandan diplomatic mission.

This visa can be multiple-entry, but the applicant must satisfy the visa-issuing authority that he/she will be leaving and entering Rwanda more than three times for the purpose of visiting family members within a 90-day period.

In the application, it is necessary to indicate the identity card number of a foreigner, a relative temporarily residing in Rwanda.

Travel document: Any genuine travel document valid for at least 6 months.

Visa fees: 30,000 RWF in Rwanda, 50 USD or equivalent in accepted foreign currency at a foreign diplomatic mission of Rwanda.

Visa validity: Up to 90 days

Single or multiple entry: Can be multiple-entry if there is convincing evidence.

Visa Extension: Visas for family visitors can be extended for a maximum stay of nine months. Applicants must apply for an extension to the Customer Service Center of the Directorate General. The application must be submitted while the current visa is valid.

Financial requirements:

Applicants, except for minors under the age of 21, must have sufficient funds to cover the expenses associated with their stay in Rwanda. The applicant or the inviting family member may be required to provide proof of sufficient funds.

If the applicant is required to provide such proof, it must be presented at the Director General's Customer Service Center in Kigali or at a Rwandan mission abroad.

Requirements:

One clear color passport-size photo on a white background, recently taken without glasses, cap and scarf; (the photo must be attached to the application form with glue. It is not recommended to attach the photo to the application form with a stapler).

The questionnaire must be completely filled out. 

A visa application letter addressed to the Director General of Immigration and Emigration.

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Tourist visa to East Africa - Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya (Multiple entries)

A foreigner who wishes to visit the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, and the Republic of Uganda at the same time for the purpose of tourism.

The East African tourist visa is a multiple entry visa valid for 90 days.

Applications for this visa are made at any diplomatic mission of the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, and the Republic of Uganda, at the immigration offices of the respective countries, or online, if applicable.

Dependents: All persons must apply on their own behalf.

Travel document: Any genuine and acceptable travel document valid for at least 6 months.

Visa fees: 100 USD

Visa validity: 90 days

The holder of an East African tourist visa can enter from the country that issued the visa and move within two other countries without applying for another visa or paying another visa fee.

The holder is also allowed to leave the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Uganda and return without having to pay for another visa. This will only be valid for 90 days.

No work allowed

Visa Extension: The East Africa tourist visa is non-extendable.

Requirements:

One clear, passport-sized color photo on a white background, recently taken without glasses, cap and scarf; (the photo must be attached to the application form with glue. It is not recommended to attach the photo to the application form with a stapler).

The questionnaire must be completely filled out.

A letter with a request for the issuance of a visa, addressed to the visa-issuing authority of the country concerned.

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Visiting diplomat visa

This class of visa is issued to a diplomat who is visiting the country for official purposes.

Dependents: Dependents may accompany a visiting diplomat, but only if required by an official visit. Otherwise, dependents may be issued a separate visa.

Where to apply: You can apply online or at a Rwandan diplomatic mission or at the Directorate General's Customer Service Center in Kigali.

The application must be accompanied by a letter from the applicant's government or international organization employing him/her, stating the purpose of the visit and its duration.

Travel document: Any genuine and acceptable travel document valid for at least 6 months.

Visa fee: Free

Visa validity: Up to two years.

Single or multiple entry: Multiple entry

Work is permitted during a visit which must not exceed 90 days at a time.

Change of status: A visiting diplomat who may wish to remain in Rwanda at the end of his/her visit must obtain an appropriate visa or permit from the Directorate General.

Visa extension: The visa is not extended, except for a new application.

Requirements:

• One clear, passport-sized color photograph on a white background, recently taken without glasses, cap and scarf; (the photo must be attached to the application form with glue. It is not recommended to attach the photo to the application form with a stapler).
• The questionnaire must be completely filled out
• A visa application letter addressed to the Director General of Immigration and Emigration.

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Visa for conference and meeting (single entry)

A person who wishes to attend and speak at a conference, meeting, seminar or workshop, or any other related activity.

All persons must apply independently.

Where to apply: Online/at a Rwanda diplomatic mission/at the Directorate General Customer Service Center in Kigali.

Travel document: Valid for six months on the day of entry.

Visa fee: 30 USD

Visa validity: 30 days

Work other than conferences is not allowed.

Change of status: Applicants may apply to the Directorate General for a different class of visa/permit while they are in Rwanda and as long as their current visa remains valid.

Visa extension: In special circumstances

Requirements:

• One clear color passport-size photo on a white background, recently taken without glasses, caps or scarfs; (the photo must be attached to the application form with glue. It is not recommended to attach the photo to the application form with a stapler).
• The questionnaire must be completely filled out
• A visa application letter addressed to the Director General of Immigration and Emigration.

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Conference and meeting visa (multiple entries)

A person who has the right to receive a visa:

A person who wishes to attend and/or speak at a conference, meeting, seminar, or workshop.

Dependents: All individuals must apply independently.

Where to apply: Online/At a Rwandan Embassy/At the Directorate General Customer Service Center in Kigali. However, multiple entries can only be processed at a Rwandan diplomatic mission or at the General Directorate of Immigration and Emigration.

Travel document: Valid for 30 days on the day of entry.

Visa fee: USD 50 for a multiple-entry visa

Work other than conference is not permitted.

Change of status: Applicants may apply to the Directorate General for a different class of visa/permit while they are in Rwanda and as long as their current visa remains valid.

Visa extension: In special circumstances

Requirements:

• One clear color passport-size photo on a white background, recently taken without glasses, caps or scarfs; (the photo must be attached to the application form with glue. It is not recommended to attach the photo to the application form with a stapler).
• The questionnaire must be completely filled out.
• A visa application letter addressed to the Director General of Immigration and Emigration.

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Business visa

This class of visa is issued to a potential investor, entrepreneur, or trader to visit and explore business opportunities in Rwanda.

Dependents: All persons must apply on their own behalf.

Where to apply: You can apply online/at the General Directorate of Immigration and Emigration/at a Rwandan diplomatic mission.

Travel document: Any genuine and acceptable travel document valid for at least 6 months.

Visa fees: 50 USD

Visa validity: 90 days

Single or multiple entries: Multiple entries

To work or not to work: No work allowed

Change of status: A person holding a business visa class can change their status.

Visa extension: May be extended once.

Requirements:

• One clear color passport-size photo on a white background, recently taken without glasses, caps or scarfs; (the photo must be attached to the application form with glue. It is not recommended to attach the photo to the application form with a stapler).
• The questionnaire must be completely filled out.
• A visa application letter addressed to the Director General of Immigration and Emigration.