Rwanda
General visa requirements for travelling to Rwanda. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Tourist visa (EAC Free Movement)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 180 days
- Processing time
- N/A - no application required
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- 6 months
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Must be a citizen of an East African Community (EAC) member state: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Eligible countries: Burundi, Congo (Democratic Republic of the), Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, United Republic of, Uganda
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
Tourist visa (Special 90-Day Visa-Free Entry)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- N/A - visa-free upon arrival
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- 90 days
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens of Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, DRC, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Sierra Leone, Qatar, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
Eligible countries: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Democratic Republic of the), Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Indonesia, Mauritius, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
Student visa (Student Permit)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- 7 business days
- Fee
- Varies
- Validity
- Duration of study program (renewable)
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Eligibility
-
Purpose of visit
Must be admitted to an accredited educational institution in Rwanda.
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Criminal record
Must provide a police clearance certificate. Applicants with serious criminal records may be denied.
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
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Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Recent passport-size photographs with white background
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Admission letter
Must be notarized: No; Must be original: Yes; Must show program dates: Yes
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Police clearance
Countries required: Country of origin; Validity months: 6
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Medical certificate
Provide medical evidence from a recognised doctor or clinic when the route asks for health confirmation.
Required tests: General health examination, HIV test; Validity months: 3
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Cover letter
Explain the purpose of travel, travel dates, who will pay, and why you will leave before the visa or permission expires.
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Academic transcript
Provide academic records for the course, qualification or training route.
Must be notarized: Yes; Must be translated: No
How to apply
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Online application
Apply for a student permit through the Irembo government portal. You can enter Rwanda on a visitor visa first and then apply for the permit.
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Document gathering
Gather required documents: valid passport, passport photos, admission letter from Rwandan institution, academic transcripts, police clearance certificate, medical certificate, and application letter.
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Fee payment
Pay the student permit fee through the Irembo portal. Fees vary based on permit duration.
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Processing wait
Wait for the student permit to be processed. Processing typically takes 7 business days.
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Visa collection
Once approved, collect the student permit from the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration.
Tourist visa (Multiple Entry Visa)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa on arrival
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- On arrival or 4 days (online)
- Fee
- $70 USD
- Validity
- 90 days
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: Recent passport-size photograph with white background
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Hotel booking or host invitation letter; Must cover full stay: No
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: No; Must show return: Yes
How to apply
-
Online application
Apply online through the Irembo portal or obtain upon arrival.
-
Fee payment
Pay the multiple entry visa fee of $70 USD.
Business visa (Conference Visa)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa on arrival
- Maximum stay
- 30 days
- Processing time
- On arrival or 4 days (online)
- Fee
- $50 USD
- Validity
- 30 days
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Purpose of visit
Must be attending a conference, seminar, workshop, or business event in Rwanda. Invitation from the event organizer is required.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: Recent passport-size photograph with white background
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Hotel booking or confirmation from event organizer; Must cover full stay: No
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Invitation letter
Host requirements: Invitation letter from the conference/event organizer with event details, dates, and venue
How to apply
-
Online application
Apply online through the Irembo portal selecting 'Conference Visa' type, or obtain upon arrival with supporting documents.
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Document gathering
Prepare your passport, passport photo, invitation letter from event organizer, and proof of accommodation.
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Fee payment
Pay the conference visa fee of $50 USD.
Transit visa (Transit Visa)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa on arrival
- Maximum stay
- 3 days
- Processing time
- On arrival or 4 days (online)
- Fee
- $30 USD
- Validity
- 72 hours
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Purpose of visit
Must be transiting through Rwanda to another destination. Total time in Rwanda must not exceed 72 hours.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: Yes; Must show return: Yes
How to apply
-
Online application
Apply online through the Irembo portal or obtain upon arrival at the port of entry.
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Fee payment
Pay the transit visa fee of $30 USD.
Work / Immigration visa (Work Permit (H1 - Skilled Worker))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 1095 days
- Processing time
- 7 business days
- Fee
- $100-500 USD
- Validity
- 3 years (renewable)
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Eligibility
-
Employment
Must have a job offer from a Rwandan employer or have skills listed on Rwanda's occupations in demand list. H1 permits are for skilled workers, H2 for employer-sponsored workers.
Required status: Job offer from Rwandan employer
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Criminal record
Must provide a police clearance certificate from country of origin and any country where you have lived for 6 or more months.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Recent passport-size photographs with white background
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Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes
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Police clearance
Countries required: Country of origin and any country lived in for 6+ months; Validity months: 6
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Medical certificate
Provide medical evidence from a recognised doctor or clinic when the route asks for health confirmation.
Required tests: General health examination, HIV test; Validity months: 3
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Cover letter
Explain the purpose of travel, travel dates, who will pay, and why you will leave before the visa or permission expires.
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Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
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Academic transcript
Provide academic records for the course, qualification or training route.
Must be notarized: Yes; Must be translated: No
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Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
-
Online application
Apply for a work permit through the Irembo government portal. Enter Rwanda on a visitor visa or visa on arrival first if needed.
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Document gathering
Gather required documents: valid passport, passport photos, employment contract, CV, academic certificates, police clearance certificate, medical certificate, and application letter from employer.
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Fee payment
Pay the work permit fee through the Irembo portal. Fees range from $100 to $500 depending on permit class and duration.
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Processing wait
Wait for the work permit to be processed. Processing typically takes 7 business days.
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Visa collection
Once approved, collect the work permit from the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration.
Tourist visa (Visa on Arrival)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa on arrival
- Maximum stay
- 30 days
- Processing time
- On arrival or 4 days (online)
- Fee
- $50 USD
- Validity
- 30 days
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens of all countries worldwide are eligible. Since January 2018, Rwanda offers visa on arrival for all nationalities.
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Health
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for all travelers entering Rwanda.
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: Recent passport-size photograph with white background
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Hotel booking or host invitation letter; Must cover full stay: No
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: No; Must show return: Yes
-
International vaccination card
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination certificate required; Validity months: 120
How to apply
-
Online application
Optionally apply online through the Irembo portal before travel, or obtain the visa upon arrival at any Rwandan port of entry.
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Document gathering
Prepare your valid passport, a recent passport photo with white background, proof of accommodation, and return/onward flight details.
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Fee payment
Pay the visa fee of $50 USD (single entry). Payment can be made online via the Irembo portal or upon arrival.
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Processing wait
If applying online, processing takes approximately 4 days. If obtaining on arrival, the visa is issued immediately at the port of entry.
Tourist visa (African Union Visa on Arrival)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa on arrival
- Maximum stay
- 30 days
- Processing time
- On arrival
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- 30 days
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens of African Union member states not covered by EAC or special bilateral agreements receive a free visa upon arrival.
-
Health
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry to Rwanda.
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
International vaccination card
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination certificate required; Validity months: 120