Immigration

Nationals of all countries are eligible to apply for a visitor visa online before their travel or obtain a visa upon arrival at Kigali International Airport and all land borders without prior application. To avoid any last-minute challenges, we advise delegates to apply online before travelling via the Rwanda government portal, Irembo.

Rwanda visa length, requirements and fees vary according to nationality. Visa fees are waived for:

• Citizens of countries that are members of the following international organizations, who receive a visa valid for 30 days upon arrival: African Union, Commonwealth and La Francophonie

• Citizens of East African Community Member States, who are issued a pass/entry visa to stay for six months upon arrival

• Citizens of the following countries, who are granted a visa valid for 90 days upon arrival: 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 and the State of Qatar

Please be aware that:

• Citizens of all countries that do not have their visa fees waived are able to receive a visa upon arrival without prior application. They also have the option of submitting an application online or at the Rwanda Diplomatic Missions of their country of residence before departure. Those applying online have the option to pay either online or upon arrival. No single affiliated agent is authorized to apply for a visa on your behalf. Such agents may mislead you and charge more than the required visa fees. To apply online prior to your travel, please visit the Rwanda government portal, Irembo. The visa processing time is approximately seven days.

Delegates who do not have their visa fees waived can apply for a visa relevant to conferences, titled “V5-Conference and meetings”: 

• This visa is issued to a foreigner who intends to enter Rwanda for conferences, meetings, workshops or any related activity.

• This visa is issued upon arrival at the border post, online, 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.

• Applicants need to provide a genuine acceptable travel document (such as a passport) that is valid for at least six months from the return date.

• The visa fee is set at USD 50 for nationals of countries that do not have the visa fees waived, as described above.

• This is a single-entry visa, and on this visa, it is not permitted to work in Rwanda.

• The visa is valid for 30 days.

Please consider the following general information for all applicants seeking to visit Rwanda on a visitor visa (including “V5-Conference and meetings”):

• Travel document: An applicant should hold a genuine acceptable travel document (such as a passport) that is valid for at least six months from the return date.

• Health requirements: A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required at the border (please find further information on this below under health-related measures). In the event of a major disease outbreak, specific requirements that concern international travellers could be put in place.

• Visa fees: If an applicant has paid a visa fee and the application is denied or is withdrawn by the applicant, there will be no refund of the visa fee.

• Financial requirements: An applicant must have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their entire stay in Rwanda. There may be a request for applicants to provide evidence for such funds either online, at the relevant Rwandan Foreign Mission or at the entry point.