Visa to Rwanda: What You Need Before You Go

Planning a trip to Rwanda – the Land of a Thousand Hills? It’s a thrilling destination filled with lush landscapes, wildlife, and vibrant culture.

But before you board that plane, one important detail awaits: the visa. Do you need one? Should you get it in advance or upon arrival? In this blog post, we’ll break down everything you need to know to ensure your entry into Rwanda is smooth and stress-free.

Who Needs a Visa to Visit Rwanda?

Rwanda has adopted a very welcoming visa policy, making it easy for travelers from around the world to visit.

Citizens of all countries are allowed to obtain a visa upon arrival, with no need for prior application. This policy greatly simplifies travel planning and allows for greater flexibility.

For travelers from countries that are members of the African Union (AU), the Commonwealth, or La Francophonie, Rwanda offers an even better incentive—a free 30-day visa on arrival.

There’s no charge, and no paperwork required in advance.

If you are a citizen of an East African Community (EAC) member state, you are entitled to receive a free entry visa valid for up to six months upon arrival.

This applies to citizens of countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In addition, Rwanda grants 90-day visas at no cost upon arrival to citizens of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, Singapore, and the State of Qatar.

For travelers from countries that are not visa-exempt, there are two options available.

You may apply online through the official Rwanda Immigration website, where you also have the option to pay online or upon arrival.

Alternatively, you can apply at the Rwanda Diplomatic Mission in your country of residence before you travel.

Please be aware that there is no officially affiliated agent authorized to apply for a Rwandan visa on your behalf. Be cautious of third-party services that claim otherwise.

Single-Entry Visa for Rwanda Only

If you are planning to travel exclusively to Rwanda and not visiting any other countries on your trip, you can simply obtain a single-entry visa on arrival.

This visa is valid for 30 days and is ideal for tourists making Rwanda their sole destination.

It’s a convenient, straightforward option that doesn’t require prior application.

Transit Visa for Rwanda

If you are passing through Rwanda on your way to another destination, you may be eligible for a transit visa.

This visa is valid for up to 72 hours and is perfect for short layovers or brief stopovers in the country.

Please note that the transit visa must be applied for online before your departure.

It’s a convenient option for travelers who want to explore a bit of Rwanda during their connection.

East Africa Tourist Visa – Starting in Rwanda

If your travel plans include Rwanda, Uganda, and/or Kenya, the East Africa Tourist Visa is a convenient and cost-effective option.

This multiple-entry visa allows you to move freely between these three countries for up to 90 days, making it perfect for regional tours.

Please note that Tanzania is not included in this visa arrangement.

The East Africa Tourist Visa costs USD $100 and must be obtained from the immigration authority of the country you will enter first. If you begin your journey in Rwanda, you can apply online, and upon approval, you’ll receive a Visa Acceptance Letter.

This letter allows you to get the visa stamped into your passport when you arrive in Rwanda.

Helpful Tips:

Apply for the visa about 4–6 weeks before departure. This gives enough time for processing without applying too early.
Each traveler must complete a separate visa application form.
Be aware that this visa is not valid for entry into Tanzania. If your itinerary includes Tanzania and you return to Kenya, Uganda, or Rwanda afterward, you will need to apply for a new visa.

Important Notes:

If you are visa-exempt for Rwanda, you cannot apply for the East Africa Visa starting in Rwanda. In that case, you will need to apply separately for a Uganda and/or Kenya visa, depending on your itinerary.
If you are traveling only between Rwanda and Uganda, it may be more practical to obtain a Rwanda visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport, and separately purchase a Uganda visa online in advance.
- When applying for the Uganda visa, make sure to specify that you will enter via the Cyanika border crossing, if that is your route.

Rwanda & East Africa Visa Costs

Here’s a quick overview of the current visa fees for Rwanda and the East Africa Tourist Visa:

Transit Visa (Rwanda)
Cost: USD $30 per person
Validity: Up to 72 hours
Note: Ideal for short stopovers or layovers in Rwanda. Must be applied for online in advance.
Single Entry Visa (Rwanda Only)
Cost: USD $50 per person
Validity: 30 days
Note: Perfect for travelers visiting only Rwanda on a single-entry basis.
East Africa Tourist Visa (Rwanda, Uganda & Kenya)
Cost: USD $100 per person
Validity: 90 days

Valid Passport Requirement

To enter Rwanda, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival. Please ensure your travel documents meet this requirement to avoid any issues at the border.

Other Entry Requirements

You must have a return or onward travel ticket to show proof of your planned departure from Rwanda.
You may be asked to provide proof of sufficient financial means (such as cash or credit cards) to cover your stay.
Yellow fever vaccination is required if you are arriving from, or have recently visited, a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. If you have not traveled through such countries, this vaccination may not be necessary.

Traveling with Minor Children

Since 2012, children are required to have their own valid travel documents; they can no longer be included on a parent’s passport.

When traveling outside the Schengen Area, rules regarding minors can be quite strict and vary by country.

These regulations become even more stringent if only one parent is traveling with the child or if the child is traveling without either parent.

It’s also important to consider the specific requirements of any countries you will transit through on your journey, as each may have additional rules for minors.

To ensure a smooth trip, always check the travel document requirements well in advance and prepare any necessary consent letters or legal documents.

Important Note from Rwandan Immigration

When applying for your visa, please ensure all information is entered accurately and matches your passport—including your full name, passport number, date of birth, travel dates, and length of stay.

Double-check your application before submitting.

If any errors are found after submission, you may be required to reapply and pay the visa fee again, as refunds are not issued for incorrect applications.

Applying for an East Africa visa (starting in Rwanda)

To apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa through Rwanda, make sure you have the following document ready in digital format before you begin the application process:

A copy of your passport biodata page (JPEG or PDF format, maximum file size: 500KB)

💡 Tip: Keep your file names short (under 30 characters) to avoid upload errors. If the system fails to upload your documents later in the process, a long file name is often the cause.

Once your documents are prepared, follow these steps:

Visit the official Rwanda Immigration platform: Irembo of the Rwandan Immigration

If the site opens in Kinyarwanda, click on “Kinyarwanda” in the top right corner and switch to English.
Navigate to the “Immigration and Emigration” section.
Click on “Visa Application”.
A pop-up window will appear — click “Visa Application” again, then proceed by selecting “APPLY”.

Follow the instructions step-by-step, upload your documents, and complete the form as required. Once submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation and, if approved, a Visa Acceptance Letter, which allows you to have the visa stamped into your passport upon arrival in Rwanda.

Visa Application

Applicant Details
- Nationality: your nationality
- Document Type: is usually ordinary passport
- Currency: Which currency do you want to pay with? US Dollar or RWF
- Visa Type: Which visa do you want to apply for: v11 East Africa Visa
Demographic Details:
- Surname: your surname according to passport / maiden name
- Other names: your other names according to your passport
- Profession: what is your profession?
- Occupation: your current profession
- Civil Status: your civil status
- Etc etc …….
Request & Travel Details Visa Details:
- Proposed address in Rwanda: Greenway Nature Tours – Tour operator, +256 704 324 972
- Proposed date of arrival: the date of arrival in Rwanda
- Proposed date of departure: date of departure home
- Please fill in the proposed entry point: this is usually Kigali International Airport (check your ticket/schedule to see where you are entering Rwanda)
- Purpose of visit: Tourism
- More Details: enter something like “Round trip through Rwanda (and Uganda/Kenya)”
- Have you ever been to Rwanda?
- Document number: your passport number
- Issued date: date of issue
- Expiry date: expiration date
- Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after arrival
- enter your telephone number and your email address

Attachments

- Copy passport biodata page = upload a copy of your passport here (PDF or JPEG format, maximum size 500kb)
CHECK THAT EVERYTHING HAS BEEN COMPLETED CORRECTLY AND PRESS NEXT
CHECK the summary again to make sure everything is filled in correctly and you haven’t forgotten anything!
Where would you like your visa messages sent to and fill in
Click SUBMIT to send the request and don’t forget to write down the number that appears!
You will then see a message on the screen that begins with “Your application will be processed within 3 days. In case… please use our online tracking tool at www.migration.gov.rw using your reference number (YOUR NUMBER) as the tracking number.”
Note the number you see here! So you have it handy if you don’t receive a message or need to inquire about something. Or, even easier, copy the entire text and save/print it and keep it with your travel documents. You might need this reference number later!
You will wait 1 to a maximum of 3 days for your Visa Acceptance Letter.
Print the form and take it with you on your trip, keeping it with your passport! You’ll need it upon entry into Rwanda, where you’ll also pay to have the actual visa printed in your passport (unless you opted for online payment).
Does the email contain any additional information about documents to bring? Please keep this in mind!