GEN 1.3 ENTRY, TRANSIT AND DEPARTURE OF PASSENGERS AND CREW

 
1.  General Information for travelers  seeking to visit Rwanda

From 1st January 2018, nationals of all countries receive visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport and all land borders.
 
Citizens of country members to the following international organizations; African Union, Commonwealth and La Francophonie get visa upon arrival and are waived visa fees for a visit of 30 days.
 
A citizen of East African Community Member States shall be issued a pass/entry visa free of charge upon arrival to stay for the period of six months.
 
The following countries to be granted 90 days’ valid visa free of charge 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 Qatar.
 
Citizens of all countries that are not visa exempt, have also option to submit application online or at the Rwanda Diplomatic Missions of the country of residence before departure. Those applying online have option to pay online or upon arrival.
 
Application for visa extension is submitted at Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration offices.   Detailed requirements are set out in the Information for applicants for each class of visa.
 
Visitors who wish to visit simultaneously the three countries (Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda) for tourism may apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) online, upon arrival or from Rwanda Diplomatic missions abroad. If acquiring the EATV visa before travel, your first entry point must be the country through which you applied for the visa.  The East Africa Tourist Visa costs US$100, is valid for 90 days and is multiple entry (if staying within the three countries).
2.   Travel Document

A traveler should hold a valid passport or another acceptable travel document. The document must have a validity of at least 6 months on the day of entry in Rwanda.
3.  Public Health Requirements

The Directorate General of immigration and Emigration may require a foreigner seeking entry into Rwanda to provide health insurance certificate if it considers that such a foreigner may require medical treatment in Rwanda.
If considered necessary, the Directorate General refuses entry to a person who appears to end up becoming a burden for the Rwandan health system.
4.  Financial Requirements

A foreigner seeking a visa or a residence permit may be required to show proof of sufficient financial resources to support him/herself during his/her stay in Rwanda. If considered necessary, the Directorate General, orders a foreigner who intends to temporarily reside in Rwanda to have a guarantor to cover the costs of his/her repatriation.
 

5.  Visas

5.1  Visitors’ Visa

Eligible Person
  • This type of visa is issued to person who enters the country for any valid reason other than employment.
  • A foreigner who wants to enter Rwanda to seek an appropriate visa or work permit to the purpose of his/her stay.

 

 

 

Types of visitors’ visa
 
A. VE-1: Visa waiver arrangement
 
* This type of visa is issued to 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.
 
* It is issued at entry point or Rwanda embassies abroad
* Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months.
* Single entry
* Work is not permitted
* Change of status is allowed
* Free of charge
* Valid for 90 days for nationals of a country with which has visa waiver with Rwanda and 30 days for nationals of a country which is a member of African Union, Common wealth and La francophonie.
 
B. VP-1: Visitor’s pass – EAC member states 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.
* Single entry
* Work is not permitted
* Change of status is not allowed
* May be extended in exceptional circumstances
* Free of charge
* Valid up to six months
 
C. VP-2: Visitor’s pass – Citizens of other regional blocs than EAC
 
* This type of visa is issued to a national of a country member of a regional organization or community with free visa other than the East African Community citizens
* This type of visa  is issued at entry point or Rwandan embassies abroad
* Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months.
* Single entry
* Work is not permitted
* Change of status is allowed
* May be extended in exceptional circumstances
* Fees is agreed upon at community or organizational level
* Valid up to six months
 
D. VC: Crew member
 
* This type of visa is issued to a crew member of an aircraft or boat at entry point
* Dependents not allowed
* This type of visa is issued at entry point or Rwandan embassies abroad
* Any genuine travel document valid not less than 6 months
* Free of charge
* Single entry
* Work is not allowed
* Change of status not allowed
* validity: up to seventy-two (72) hours
* May be extended in exceptional   circumstances.
 
E. V1-Holiday purposes
 
* This visa is issued to a foreigner who visits Rwanda for holiday, sightseeing, social or recreational or other short-term reasons other than work purposes. 
* This visa is issued upon arrival at the border post, online, at 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. 
* Fees: 50 USD for single entry and free of charge for nationals of countries with which Rwanda has a visa waiver arrangement including African Union, Common Wealth and La francophonie and 70 USD for multiple entries.
* Single or multiple entry 
* Work is not permitted 
* Change of status is allowed
* Valid for a period of thirty (30) days for single entry or of ninety (90) days for multiple entries.
* May be extended in exceptional circumstances
 
F. V3-1 Official visit
 
* This visa is issued to a foreigner who visits Rwanda for holiday, sightseeing, social or recreational or other short-term reasons other than work purposes. 
* This visa is issued upon arrival at the border post, online, at 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. 
* Fees: 50 USD for single entry and free of charge for nationals of countries with which Rwanda has a visa waiver arrangement including African Union, Common Wealth and La francophonie and 70 USD for multiple entries.
* Single or multiple entry
* Work is not permitted 
* Change of status is allowed 
* Valid for a period of thirty (30) days for single entry or of ninety (90) days for multiple entries
* May be extended in exceptional circumstances
 
G. V5-Conference and meetings
 
* This visa is issued to a foreigner who intends to enter Rwanda for conference, meeting, workshop or any other 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.
* Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months. 
* Fees: 50 USD and free of charge for nationals of countries with which Rwanda has a visa waiver arrangement including African Union, Common Wealth and La francophonie.
* Single entry 
* Work is not permitted  
* Change of status is allowed 
* Valid for thirty (30) days
 
H. V7-Medical treatment
 
* This visa is issued to a foreigner who enters Rwanda for medical treatment or medical consultation confirmed by a recognized medical practitioner. It is also issued to his or her foreign care attendant.
* It is issued upon arrival at the border post, online, at 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.
* Fees: 30 USD
* Single entry 
* Work is not allowed
* Change of status is Allowed 
* Valid for a period of ninety (90) days.
* Renewable
 
I. V8-Group tourist
 
* This visa is issued to a foreigner who is travelling as a member of a group of four (4) to ten (10) tourists
* Dependents are not allowed 
* This 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 entry point upon showing prior approval by the Directorate General.
* Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months.
* Fees: 150 USD
* Single entry 
* Work is not allowed 
* Change of status is not allowed 
* Valid for a period of thirty (30) days
* May be extended in exceptional circumstances
 
J. V11-East African tourist visa
 
* This visa is issued to a foreign tourist who intends to visit countries signatories to the agreement on the establishment of the East Africa Tourist Visa and its revenue sharing or any similar agreement
* Dependent are not allowed 
* This visa is issued upon arrival at the border post, online, 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
* Fees: 100 USD 
* Multiple entries
* Work is not allowed
* Its validity, usage and number of entries depend on the agreement between concerned parties. 
* May be extended in exceptional circumstances.
 
K. V12-Reciprocity
 
* Long-term visitor visa is issued on a reciprocal basis to a foreigner who visits Rwanda for visit, conference or any reason other than work purpose.
* dependents are not allowed 
* This visa 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.
* Fees: 160 USD
* Multiple entries
* Work is not allowed
* change of status is not allowed
* This visa is valid for a period that may be up to ten (10) years
* Renewable up on application
 
5.2  Transit VISA
A foreigner who transits Rwanda through the airport to continue his or her travel is exempted from transit visa, so long as he or she does not exit the airport premises. However, he or she may be subjected to other immigration formalities.
 
A. VT: Transit
* This type of visa is issued to a person who transits through Rwanda.
* Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months
* is applied for upon arrival at border post, online or at any other place as may be determined by the Directorate General of immigration and emigration
* Single entry
* Work is not permitted
* Change of status is not allowed
* Fees: 30 USD
* Free for nationals of a country with which Rwanda has a visa waiver arrangement including African Union, Common Wealth and La francophonie
* Valid for a period not exceeding seventy-two hours (72) 
 
B. VE-2: Transit due to unforeseen circumstances
 
* Foreigner who transit through Rwanda airport or other border post but inconvenienced, to continue his or her travel due to circumstances beyond control such as change of flight schedule, bad weather conditions or any other valid reason.
* Issued at entry point
* Any genuine travel document valid not less than months
* Free of charge
* Single entry
* Work is not allowed
* change of status is not allowed
* Not exceeding seventy-two (72) hours
* May be extended in exceptional circumstances
 
6.  Other requirements
6.1  Entry and exit of a child 
In addition to other general requirements, a child who intends to exit from Rwanda is accompanied by one of his or her parents, his or her guardian or another person authorized by the child's parents or guardian. 
 
A transport company is authorized to transport an unaccompanied child, as long as it proves the consent from the child’s parents or guardian and undertakes to assume the responsibility for the child's travel. 
 
An unaccompanied child who enters into Rwanda is required to provide on border post, the details of a host in Rwanda approved by his parents or his or her guardian. A consent required under this Article is evidenced by a power of attorney either notarized or stamped by the Directorate General. 
 
The Directorate General issues instructions determining additional requirements on entry and exit of a child, regardless of his or her nationality. 
 
6.2  Exit from Rwanda
A person who intends to exit from Rwanda must have a valid travel document recognized by Rwanda and other required documents for entry to the country of destination. A person who exits from Rwanda must comply with border formalities and procedures.
 
6.3  Obligations of transport Companies
Any company that transports people, prior to exit or entry, presents to an immigration officer information on incoming or outgoing passengers as may be required by the Directorate General.
 
The Directorate General may issue instructions waiving the requirement of providing the passenger information, depending on the particular nature of the passengers or the transport companies. 
 
6.4  Administrative Faults and Sanctions
A foreigner, who delays to submit an application for or extension of his or her visa or residence permit, whether himself or herself or for his or  her children commits a fault and is liable:
  1. to a fine of fifty thousand Rwandan francs (FRW 50,000) for overstay from six (6) to fifteen (15) days;
  2. to a fine of seventy thousand Rwandan francs (FRW 70,000) for overstay from sixteen (16) to thirty (30) days;
  3. to a fine of one hundred thousand Rwandan francs (FRW 100,000) for overstay from thirty-one (31) days to three (3) months;
  4. to a fine of three hundred thousand Rwandan francs (FRW 300,000) for overstay from three (3) to six (6) months;
  5. to a fine of five hundred thousand Rwandan francs (FRW 500,000) for overstay from six (6) to nine (9) months;
  6. to a fine of one million Rwandan francs (FRW 1,000,000) for overstay beyond nine (9) months.

6.5  Faults related to air transport an air transport company that:
  1. delays or refuses to return its passenger from Rwanda as ordered;
  2. does not pay expenses spent on its passenger when it is necessary to return him or her for acting contrary to the law;
  3. does not identify a foreigner with expired travel document or visa;
  4. does not report an illegally landed passenger; commits a fault. It is liable to a fine of not less than two million Rwandan francs (FRW 2,000,000) but not exceeding four million Rwandan francs (FRW 4,000,000) or its equivalent in foreign currency.