Why if you need a Rwanda Visa, Yes, you need a visa to visit Rwanda if you are coming for:- Rwanda safaris (such as Rwanda Gorilla tours, Rwanda wildlife safari vacations), business, or other reasons.
Citizens of all countries will be granted a 30-day single-entry Rwanda visa on arrival without prior application.
You can also apply for a Rwanda visa at the Rwandan Diplomatic Consulates in your home country or online at https://irembo.gov.rw/user/citizen/service/dgie/request_a_visa.
If you are applying for a Rwanda visa online, we recommend you apply 6 weeks before arrival in Rwanda. Here’s a guide on Rwanda visa exemption, different types of Rwanda visas, and visa costs:-
Rwanda Visa-Exemption Rwanda Visa Free Countries
Here Are Countries Exempt From Paying Rwanda Visa Fees:
Citizens of countries members of the following international organizations; African Union, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie get a visa upon arrival and are waived visa fees for a stay of 30 days.
RELATED RWANDA INFORMATION
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda,
- Armenia, Australia
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belize
- Belgium
- Botswana
- Brunei Darussalam
- Burkina Faso
- Bulgaria
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Cape Verde
- Cambodia
- Comoros
- Congo
- Cyprus
- Dominica
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eswatini
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea, Ethiopia
- Fiji, France
- New Zealand
- Niger
- Gabon
- Grenada
- Greece
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana;
- India
- Kiribati
- Jamaica
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Maldives
- Monaco
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Romania
- Saharawi Republic
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Switzerland
- Togo
- Tunisia
- The Bahamas
- The Gambia
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Saint Lucia
- St Vincent
- The Grenadines,
- Samoa,
- Solomon Islands
- Sri Lanka
- United Kingdom
- Vietnam
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Citizens of Countries That do Not Pay Entry Rwanda Visa Fees While Traveling on Ordinary Passports.
The Following Countries to be Granted 90 Days of Valid Rwanda Visa Free of Charge:
- Angola
- Benin
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Indonesia
- Haiti
- Mauritius
- Philippines
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Singapore
- The State of Qatar
Citizens of Countries That do Not Pay Entry Visa Fees While Traveling on Diplomatic and Service/Official Passports.
The following countries have entered into Visa Waiver Agreement or made unilateral decisions to allow holders of Diplomatic and Service/Official Passports to enter without visa requirements – including paying for visa fees: The visa will be valid for 90 days.
Note: Citizens of all countries will be granted 30-Days single entry visas on arrival without prior application. Citizens of countries not listed above can still get a visa upon arrival without prior application and will pay a prescribed visa fee.
- Angola
- Benin
- The People’s Republic of China
- Cote d’Ivoire
- The central African Republic
- Chad
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Djibouti, Ethiopia
- The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
- Gabon, Ghana, Guinea Indonesia
- India
- Israel
- Haiti
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Morocco
- Namibia
- Philippines
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Turkey
- The United Arab Emirates
Types of Rwanda Visas & Costs
Rwanda has several types of visas where you can choose the one that works for you depending on the reason for your visit. Below are the different types of Uganda visas;
i) V8-Group Tourist Visa
This Rwanda single entry visa costs USD 150 and is issued to a foreigner who is traveling as a member of a group of 4 to 10 tourists.
The visa is issued at the office of a diplomatic mission of Rwanda in the applicant’s country of residence, online, or at any other place as may be determined by the Directorate General.
It may also be issued at the entry point upon showing prior approval by the Directorate General. Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months.
Work and change of visa status are not allowed. The visa is valid for 30 days and may be extended in exceptional circumstances. It can be applied for via https://irembo.gov.rw/user/citizen/service/dgie/request_a_visa
ii) V1-Holiday Purposes
This Rwanda visa is issued to a foreigner who visits Rwanda for holiday, sightseeing, social or recreational, or other short-term reasons other than work purposes.
The visa is issued upon arrival at the border post, online via https://irembo.gov.rw/home/citizen/all_services, at the immigration and emigration office, at the office of a diplomatic mission of Rwanda in the applicant’s country of residence, or at any other place as may be determined by the Directorate General.
Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months. The visa costs 50 USD for a single entry, 70 USD for multiple entries, and free of charge for nationals of countries with which Rwanda has a visa waiver arrangement including African Union, Common Wealth, and La francophonie.
It is valid for 30 days for a single entry and 90 days for multiple entries. Work is not permitted, but a change of visa status is allowed. This Rwanda visa may be extended in exceptional circumstances
iii) East African Tourist Visa
If you’re going for an African gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya on the same trip, then you can apply for the East African Tourist Visa which costs USD 100. This is Joint Tourist Visa allows safari to Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya ONLY.
This visa is issued upon arrival at the border post, online via https://irembo.gov.rw/home/citizen/all_services, at the office of a diplomatic mission of Rwanda in the applicant’s country of residence, or any other place as may be determined by the Directorate General.
Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months. It allows for multiple entries, but work is not allowed. Its validity, usage, and several entries depend on the agreement between concerned parties. It may be extended in exceptional circumstances.
iv) V5 –Conference & Meetings
This Rwanda single entry visa is issued to a foreigner who intends to enter Rwanda for a conference, meeting, workshop, or any other related activity.
It is issued upon arrival at the border post, online via https://irembo.gov.rw/home/citizen/all_services, at the Directorate General, at the office of a diplomatic mission of Rwanda in the applicant’s country of residence, or at any other place as may be determined by the Directorate General
Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months. The visa costs 50 USD and is free of charge for nationals of countries with which Rwanda has a visa waiver arrangement including African Union, Common Wealth, and La francophonie. Work is not permitted for this visa and change of status is allowed. The visa is valid for 30 days.
v) V6 – Business Survey
This visa is issued to a foreign prospective investor, entrepreneur, or trader who visits Rwanda to explore available business opportunities.
It is issued at the office of a diplomatic mission of Rwanda in the applicant’s country of residence, online via https://irembo.gov.rw/home/citizen/all_services, at the immigration and emigration office, or at any other place as may be determined by the Directorate General
Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months. It costs 50 USD for a single entry and 70 USD for multiple entries. Work and change of visa status are not allowed. The visa is valid for 90 days and renewable once.
vi) V10- Itinerant Business
This Rwanda multiple entry visa costs USD 200 and is issued to a foreign investor, board member, or representative of a multinational company who does not reside in Rwanda but has significant business activities in the country and needs to regularly visit his or her activities.
It is applied for at the directorate general of Immigration and Emigration headquarters. Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months. Change of status is allowed and it is valid for 2 to 10 years renewable.
vii) V12-Reciprocity Visa
This Long-term multi-entry visa for Rwanda costs USD 160 and is issued on a reciprocal basis to foreigners who visit Rwanda for a visit, conference, or any reason other than work purpose
It is issued at the office of a diplomatic mission of Rwanda in the applicant’s country of residence, at the Directorate General, or any other place as may be determined by the Directorate General.
Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months. The visa is valid for a period that may be up to 10 years, but a change of status is not allowed. It is renewable upon application.
Viii) V3-1 Official Visit
This single-entry Rwanda visa is issued to a foreign diplomat visiting Rwanda for official purposes.
It is issued upon arrival at the border post, online, at the immigration and emigration office, at the office of a diplomatic mission of Rwanda in the applicant’s country of residence, or at any other place as may be determined by the Directorate General. Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months.
The visa is free of charge. Change of status is allowed and it is valid for 30 days. It may be extended in exceptional circumstances.
ix) V3-2 Accredited diplomat
This multi-entry Rwanda visa is issued to a foreign diplomat accredited to Rwanda who regularly visits for official purposes. It is applied for at the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration.
Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months. It is free of charge. Work and change of visa status are prohibited. The visa is valid for 2 years and renewable upon application.
x) V10 – Bridging
This single-entry Rwanda visa costs USD 30 and is issued to a foreigner who has lost his or her status of stay in Rwanda while he or she prepares to leave or to apply for a new status.
It is issued at the Directorate General or any other place as may be determined by the Directorate General. Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months.
This visa is issued for a specified period, which cannot exceed 90 days effective from the date of its delivery. Change of status is allowed and may be extended in exceptional circumstances.
xi) V7-Medical Treatment
This single-entry Rwanda visa costs USD 30 and is issued to a foreigner who enters Rwanda for medical treatment or medical consultation confirmed by a recognized medical practitioner, other than for work purposes. It is also issued to his or her foreign care attendant.
The visa is issued upon arrival at the border post, online, at the immigration and emigration office, the office of a diplomatic mission of Rwanda in the applicant’s country of residence, or at any other place as may be determined by the Directorate General. Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months.
The visa is valid for 90 days and renewable.
xii) VE-1: Visa Waiver Arrangement
This type of visa is issued to a person who is a national or a resident of a country with which Rwanda has a visa waiver arrangement including African Union, Common Wealth, and La francophonie who enters the country for any valid reason other than employment.
This single entry visa is issued at the entry point or embassy. Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months. Work is not permitted, but a change of visa status is allowed. It is free of charge.
The visa is valid for 90 days for nationals of a country that has a visa waiver with Rwanda and 30 days for nationals of a country that is a member of the African Union, Commonwealth, and La francophonie.
xii) VP-1: Visitor’s Pass – East African Member Citizens
This type of visa is issued to a citizen of East African Community Partner States. This type of visa is issued upon arrival at the border post. Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months.
It is a single entry visa and work is not permitted. Change of status is also not allowed. This Rwanda visa may be extended in exceptional circumstances. The visa is free of charge and valid for 6 months.
xiii) VP-2 Visitor’s Pass – Citizens of Other Regional Blocks than EAC
This single entry Rwanda visa is issued to a national of a country member of a regional organization or community with a free visa other than the East African Community citizens.
It is issued at the entry point or embassy. Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months. Work is not permitted, but a change of status is allowed.
It may be extended in exceptional circumstances and fees are agreed upon at the community or organizational level. It is valid for 6 months.
xix. Rwanda Transit Visa
This single-entry Rwanda visa costs USD 30 and is issued to a person who transits through Rwanda other than for work purposes.
Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months. Is applied for upon arrival at the border post, online, or at any other place as may be determined by the Directorate General of immigration and emigration.
The visa is valid for a period not exceeding 72 hours and change of status is not allowed. It is free for nationals of a country with which Rwanda has a visa waiver arrangement including African Union, Common Wealth, and La francophonie.
Conclusion
Note that visa regulations can sometimes change without much warning. We recommend contacting the relevant authorities in good time or simply chatting to our Rwanda safari expert before you go.
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