Rwanda travel visa

Select your nationality
Select your document

99,7%

visa approval rate

510K+

processed applications

24/7

experts by your side

Rwanda

Do you need a visa for Rwanda?

Generally speaking, yes: most foreign nationals are required to apply for a Rwanda eVisa before arriving in the country.

There are many nationalities exempt from this requirement, however, including Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

What is the eVisa for Rwanda?

The Rwanda eVisa is the travel document needed by citizens of eligible nationalities that wish to explore the country.

You can choose between several types of eVisas, each serving a different travel purpose:
  • Tourist eVisa: for those who travel to Rwanda for any reason except work. It is a single-entry visa valid for trips of up to 30 days.
  • Family visit eVisa: also for short-term recreational visits, with no work allowed. It is a single-entry visa that only allows you to travel for 30 days.
  • Transit eVisa: necessary when entering Rwanda on the way to another destination. It is only valid for 72 hours.

Who can apply for the eVisa to Rwanda?

Tourist eVisa
Family visit eVisa

How long can you stay in Rwanda with an eVisa?

The Tourist and Family visit visas are valid for 30 days after entering the country, and they are both single-entry. This means that you can only enter the country once for 30 days and, if you leave, you will need a new visa to return to Rwanda.

The Transit visa, on the other hand, is only valid for 72 hours. It is single-entry as well.

What are the requirements to apply for the eVisa to Rwanda?

The requirements shared across all visa types are:
  • Valid passport
  • Email address to receive the approved document

If you are applying for the transit visa, you will also need to provide a travel itinerary.

How to apply?

Choose your destination

Complete the application online

Prepare your passport and fill in our simple online form in 5 minutes

Complete application

Receive your eVisa

We will send you your approved eVisa within a few days, without you having to go anywhere!

Get your document & travel

Start your journey

On arrival, show your passport and your approved eVisa

Common reasons for a rejected application

  • Criminal history
  • Incomplete documentation
  • Overstayed in the country
  • Using a previously lost passport
  • Overstayed previous visas

Why choose Visagov

Higher chance of approval

Over 80% of rejections are due to avoidable mistakes. We use AI, OCR and biometrics to reduce errors and ensure your application is approved.

Money-back guarantee

It is unlikely, but it could happen that your application is rejected. In that case, we will refund all the government fees.

Experts by your side

Do you have a question? Write or call us! We are here to help you in every step of the way.

Faster & easier

Official forms tend to be complicated. With us, the entire process is carried out online in a single, simplified form in the language of your choice.

How much does a visa to Rwanda cost?

  • Tourist eVisa: 84 USD
  • Family visit eVisa: 84 USD
  • East African eVisa: 134 USD
  • Transit eVisa: 64 USD

These prices include our 34 USD processing fee, that includes the 24/7 customer service and a full review by our experts ensuring the success of your application.

Average processing time

It usually takes 2 days for the application to be processed, regardless of the visa type you select.

How far in advance do I need to apply?

You need to apply at least 2 days before your trip, but it is better to do it further in advance in case of issues or additional information requests.

Starting the process one or two weeks before traveling is always the safest option.

Factors affecting eVisa processing times

The most common factors than can affect the processing times of your application are:
  • Incomplete information
  • Typos or incorrect details
  • Peak travel seasons
  • Mismatch between passport and application details
With Visagov, you can be sure to minimize the risk of errors and have your application processed as soon as possible.

Check the status of your eVisa application

You can always check the status of your application here simply by entering your order ID.

Types of visas for Rwanda

  • Tourist visa (V1): required when traveling for holidays or other recreational purposes except work. It is a single-entry visa that allows the holder to stay for 30 days.
  • Family visit (V2): it is for tourism and other recreational purposes other than working. It can be a single-entry (valid for 30 days) or multiple-entry visa (valid for 90 days).
  • Group tourism (V9): for groups of 4 to 10 tourists. It is a single-entry visa, valid for 30 days.
  • Bridging (V10): if your status of stay in Rwanda is lost, you need this visa while you prepare to leave or apply for a new authorization. Its validity can change according to the case, but it can never be longer than 90 days. It is a single-entry visa.
  • Transit due to unforeseen circumstances visa (VE-2): for those on transit due to situations beyond their control, such as a flight change or cancellation, bad weather conditions, etc. It is a single-entry visa, valid for 72 hours.
  • Job search (V4): it is for skilled workers who are looking for employment in on-demand fields. It is a multiple-entry visa with a validity of 90 days.
  • Conference and meetings (V5): for those traveling to Rwanda for conferences, meetings, workshops or similar activities. It is a single-entry visa, valid for 30 days.
  • Business survey (V6): this visa is for foreign investors or entrepreneurs who are looking at business opportunities in Rwanda. It can be given as a single or multiple-entry visa, with a validity of 90 days.
  • Itinerant business (V9): for those who regularly visit the country for business activities without residing in Rwanda. It is a multiple-entry visa, and it can be valid for 2 to 10 years.
  • Crew member (VC): for aircraft or boat workers. It is a single-entry visa with a validity of 72 hours.
  • Medical treatment visa (V7): for foreigners traveling for a medical treatment or consultation. The applicant’s caregiver is also eligible for this document. It is a single-entry visa, valid for 90 days.
  • East African Visa (V11): it allows you to visit Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda with just one visa. It allows for multiple entries, but the first has to be the country through which you applied.

What documents do I need to enter Rwanda?

  • Passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining and at least one blank page
  • Visa if needed
  • Travel insurance

FAQs

Can you work on a travel visa?
No, the tourist visas for Rwanda do not allow the holder to work. In this case, it is necessary to apply for a work visa through the corresponding embassy.
What to do if your travel visa expires?
You need to either leave the country or apply for an extension to avoid penalties.
Can you extend your stay with the Rwanda eVisa?
Yes, it is possible to apply for an extension. It has to be done in person at the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration offices in Rwanda.
It is very important to apply while your visa is still valid, although you have 5 days after it expires to renew it or leave Rwanda without fines. If you apply for an extension of a visa that has been expired for longer than 5 days, it is very likely that your request will be rejected.
Can the visa be changed once it has been processed?
No, it is not possible to make changes to your visa or application once it is submitted. If you made a mistake, you will need to re-apply. Thankfully, we go over every detail of your form to help you prevent this.

Blog