A guide to visa application and processing in Rwanda

For travellers planning to visit Rwanda, you can easily apply online through the IremboGov website or at your point of entry into the country. Rwanda has the E-Visa, which is applied for online, and the visa on arrival, which is given to travellers upon entry into the country. A visa when visiting Rwanda is important and in this article, we are going to look at the visa application process in Rwanda and the different types of visas that one can apply for. You need to read carefully about the different visa types and the specifications before applying because the visa fee in Rwanda is non-refundable.

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The Visa application process

The E-Visa in Rwanda: The E-Visa in Rwanda is applied for only online by all people who are eligible. The simple steps that are involved in applying for and processing the Rwanda E-Visa include the following.

• Prepare all the required documents

The required documents for applying and processing the E-Visa in Rwanda include the following:

A valid passport which has at least 6 months of validity

A recent digital passport-sized photo with a white background

Proof of enough/sufficient funds for the entire stay in Rwanda. Bank statements might be asked for evidence.

Proof of yellow fever vaccination card where applicable.

• Visit the e-Visa Rwanda Website

After preparing all the necessary documents, the next step is to visit the IremboGov website and navigate through the application section. The site was designed with an easy-to-use interface for all travellers.

• Complete the application form online

The application form has to be filled in accurately and on time because incomplete forms will not be accepted. Fill in your personal details, travel plans, passport information and all the contact details accurately. Upload all the digital copies of any documents that are required.

• Pay the Visa Fee

There are many secure payment methods that can be used to pay for the E-Visa on the website and you can use any of the choices provided. Note that all the e-Visa payments made are subject to bank charges.

• Submit the application

Review all the details, documents and then submit everything electronically. You will then receive the e-Visa email, print out a personal copy which you will present at the immigration upon arrival in Rwanda at your point of entry.

Note: There are a few visas that can easily be extended under exceptional circumstances. You can still apply for the extension when the initial visa is still valid.

There are some visa classes that will allow travellers to change their status while still in Rwanda.

What to note before applying for the Rwanda Visa

Before discussing the types of visas and their specifications, there are general points/notes that you need to put into consideration and keep in mind and these include the following.

• You should have a valid passport with a validity of 6 months or more.
• The Visa fees are non-refundable even when your visa application is denied or withdrawn.
• Follow all the health requirements that are needed for the visa application process and make sure that they are up to date.
• The validity of the different types of visas is different, and therefore, travellers should first read through the specifications of each visa before applying.
• Some of the Rwanda Visas are single-entry visas, whereas others are multiple-entry visas. The specifics of each of these visas are important, and you need to find out the specifications of each visa before applying.
• Applicants have to make sure that they have adequate funds to cover their entire stay in Rwanda and evidence of these funds will be required.

Key information about the Rwanda e-Visa

Before applying for the e-Visa, there is some vital information you should note, and this includes travelling using the same passport, a printed copy of your e-Visa, do not forget the application fee, apply early, apply outside Rwanda and note that some visas cannot be extended, especially the East African Tourism Visa.

The types of e-Visas in Rwanda

Below are soem of the types of Visas that travellers can get in Rwanda with their respective purposes and validity.

1. The Tourist Visa

The Tourist Visa is for persons visiting Rwanda for tourism activities like sightseeing, holidays, social purposes and recreational purposes that are not related to work. The tourist visa can be obtained online, at the point of entry into the country, the Rwanda Diplomatic mission Office and the Immigration and Emigration Office. Single and multiple entry Tourist Visas are available with the single entry visa valid for 30 days and the multiple entry visa valid for 90 days.

• East African Tourist Visa

The East African Tourists Visa is issued to tourists and it gives them access to three countries including Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda. The country that issues the East African Tourist Visa must always be your point of entry. The visa is valid for 90 days and multiple entries in the three countries but is considered invalid the moment you leave the jurisdiction of the three countries. Sometimes the East African Tourist Visa validity depends on the agreement that is made between the concerned parties.

• Reciprocity Visa

The Reciprocity Visa is suitable for individuals from countries that have reciprocity agreements with Rwanda. It is a visa that is issued based on a mutual agreement between Rwanda and other countries allowing their nationals to have extended days within the country.

The validity of the Reciprocity visa is 10 days.

• The Student Visa

The Rwanda student visa allows non-citizens of Rwanda to have access to either full-time or part-time studies at the tertiary and other educational institutions in the country. To be able to obtain a Rwanda student visa, you must have secured an N1 pass, which is obtained from the Rwanda Directorate General of immigration and Emigration, also known as RDGIE. Applicants should have a passport that is at least valid for one year and enough/sufficient funds for their entire stay.

The application process starts upon arrival in Rwanda, and it can take about 3 to 4  working days. This is valid for a year and renewable until you finish your studies.

• Bridging visa

The Bridging Visa is for people who have applied and are waiting for a long-term visa or permit. The Bridging Visa allows you to have a temporary stay in Rwanda throughout the processing period of your permit application and Visa. The validity of the visa is not specified but note that it does not exceed 90 days.

• The Single Entry Visa

A single-entry Rwanda Visa is suitable and the best for people visiting Rwanda for all non-related work purposes. The Single Entry Visa is valid for up to 30 days and can sometimes be used by people who are coming to Rwanda to look for employment and obtain the work visa. In cases where you wish to extend your stay in Rwanda for more than 30 days, you have to apply for the extension at the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration in Kigali, Rwanda.

The extensions require one to fill a complete form, a passport-sized photo, a copy of your passport and a formal letter explaining the reasons as to why you need an extension.

• The multiple-entry Visa

The multiple-entry visa into Rwanda is valid for 90 days and is suitable for individuals visiting family and other tourists.  The visa can easily be received at the point of entry in the country, at the immigration and emigration office, at the Rwanda diplomatic mission or online depending on your reference. Applicants need to have sufficient funds to sustain their stay in the country, and proof of funds will be required when they arrive in the country.

The multiple-entry visa in Rwanda does not permit anyone with its possession to work in Rwanda.

• The conference Visa

The conference Visa is issued to all persons coming to Rwanda for meetings, conferences, workshops and other similar activities. This can be applied for online, at the office of the Directorate General, upon arrival at the border post, and at the Rwanda Diplomatic Mission, among others. The Conference Visa is valid for 30 days only  and is a single entry Visa.

• 72-hour Transit Visa

The 72-hour Transit Visa in Rwanda is designed for travellers passing through Rwanda and wish to explore the country for at least 72 hours before continuing to their final or next destination.  To be able to get the 72-hour Transit Visa, you will need an onward ticket and a valid passport. In case you are transiting through the country using the airport and not planning on leaving th3 airport premises, you don’t need the transit visa.

1. Accredited Diplomat Visa

This type of Visa is for all diplomats who are in different neighbouring countries and are responsible for diplomatic duties in Rwanda. It is only available to diplomats who have responsibilities covering Rwanda while staying in the neighbouring countries. The Accredited Diplomat Visa is valid for 2 years.

Visa on arrival

There is a new policy in Rwanda’s visa policy, and the visa on arrival is a special visa that is offered to all those who are eligible, and it is obtained upon arrival in Rwanda using the different entry points.

Starting 1^st. In July 2018, all the citizens from other African countries that do not belong to the East African Community will also be allowed to get a Visa upon arrival without the need for prior application.

Citizens who belong to the states within the East African community will be issued with an entry Visa or pass free of charge upon arrival in Rwanda for a period of about six months as long as they have valid national IDs or passports.

Many countries all over the world need a visa before travelling to Rwanda, but other nationalities have to acquire the Rwanda Visa in advance. For example, nationals/citizens from countries that do not belong to the African Union, La Francophonie, the Commonwealth and are not part of the EAC member states will be given a 30-day visa upon arrival, and others will receive a 90-day visa.

The countries that are granted the visa that is valid for 90 days free of charge upon arrival include Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Indonesia, Ghana, Haiti, Guinea, Mauritius, and Philippines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Singapore, Sao Tome and Principe and Qatar.

The cost of the visa does not exceed $50 for single-entry Visas and $70 for multiple-entry visas per person.

Visa and entry formalities in Rwanda

• All nationals from all the African countries travelling to Rwanda or transiting through the country can obtain an entry visa upon arrival at the entry point without making a prior visa application, and this costs $30, though it can change from time to time.
• Nationals from the United States of America, Israel, South Africa, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, and Germany can be issued with an entry visa that costs up to $30 per person, valid for 30 days without prior application.
• Nationals of Hong Kong, Mauritius, the Philippines, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Singapore can visit Rwanda without a visa for up to 90 days.
• Visit the https://www.migration.gov.rw/tracking/single-entry-visa/b.apply for all the single entry visas and pay upon arrival at one of the many official entry points.
• The site http://www.migration.gov.rw/index.php?id=28 is the best site for reading all the guidelines before filling in the application form.
• All foreign nationals/residents who have work permits or residence permits in Rwanda, Kenya and Kenya can travel between the three countries without payment of the Visa fees. All eligible residents are issued with interstate passes, and they have to provide valid permits to qualify.

In conclusion, understanding the different types of Rwanda visas ensures that you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience within the country. If you are travelling for tourism, studying business or any other issue, you will need to select the appropriate visa type that will fit into your travel plans. Contact us for more information.