Everything You Need To Know About
Rwanda E-visa
Apart
from visa exempt countries like Angola, Benin, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, and
Singapore, all foreign nationals need a visa to enter Rwanda. Earlier, foreign
nationals were asked to visit the Rwanda Diplomatic Missions of their
respective countries to obtain a visa, but in 2018, the country launched an
e-visa application system that allowed all travelers to apply for a tourist
visa via online.
While
traveling to Rwanda, foreign nationals have two options; they can either apply
for a Rwanda entry e-visa that will allow them to travel across the
country legally, or they can opt for East Africa via Rwanda e-visa which
will permit them to visit three countries including Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda.
Rwanda
tourist entry e-visa
Foreign
nationals who wish to enter Rwanda alone for tourism purposes can apply for
entry e-visas. Using these single-entry visas, travelers can enter Rwanda and
can stay for a maximum period of 30 days.
Please find
below the necessary documents needed to obtain a Rwanda entry e-visa.
- The foreign national should submit a clear copy
of the passport.
- The applicant should submit a photograph with
white background.
- The visa application form should be filled
without any errors. If your application form contains any errors, then
Rwanda authorities may reject your visa application. You can contact Visa
Genie if you face any difficulties while filling the e-visa application
form.
Note: Using a Rwanda e-visa, foreign
nationals are permitted to enter the country only via the entry ports mentioned
below.
- Kigali International Airport
- Kagitumba
- Buziba
- Gatuna
- Cyanika
- Kabuhanga
- Poids Lourds
- Lacorniche
- Kamembe International Airport
- Ruzizi I
- Ruzizi II
- Bugarama
- Ruhwa
- Bweyeye
- Nshili
- Kanyaru Bas
- Kanyaru Haut
- Nemba
- Rusumo
After reaching
the entry port, the foreign national should show the passport and the print out
copy of the e-visa to immigration authorities. The foreign national should make
sure that his or her passport has at least six months validity and two blank
pages for visa stamping.
East
Africa via Rwanda e-visa
The
popularity of East Africa via Rwanda e-visa has gained massive popularity in
the recent days, as it allows the foreign national to visit three countries;
Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. These visas offer multiple entry privilege to
travelers within these three countries and is valid for 90 days per entry.
Please
scroll down to know more about the documents that should be submitted to get an
East Africa via Rwanda e-visa.
- The passport that is going to be submitted
should have six months validity and two blank pages.
- The applicant should send the copy of his or
her recently taken photograph. Please note that the photograph should have
a white background.
- The foreign national should submit the travel
and accommodation proofs.
- Submitting the yellow fever certificate is a
must to obtain the East Africa via Rwanda e-visa.
- You should submit the details of a contact person
who resides in Uganda.
- The e-visa application form should be properly
filled.
Special
note for travelers using East Africa via Rwanda e-visa
Please
find below some crucial things to follow while traveling using an East Africa
via Rwanda e-visa.
- The initial destination of the traveler should
be Rwanda. After visiting Rwanda, the foreign national can visit Kenya and
Uganda.
- These visas are valid for multiple entry, but
it offers 90 days stay per entry. So, always make sure that you are
leaving the country before the visa’s expiry. If authorities find you
staying in Rwanda illegally, you will fall in the clutches of legal
trouble.
- These visas are valid for 90 days after arrival
in the country.
- East Africa via Rwanda visas will not be issued
to foreign nationals who currently possess another Uganda, Rwanda or Kenya
visas.
- The foreign national should take the print out
of this electronic travel authorization, and should show it in the port of
entry.
- If you have dual passports, you should visit
the country with the passport which was used to obtain the East Africa via
Rwanda e-visa.
Frequently
asked questions (FAQ)
What
is the difference between Rwanda entry e-visa and East Africa via Rwanda
e-visas?
Rwanda
entry e-visas are normal tourist visas that allow foreign nationals to visit
the country legally. These visas can be obtained online, and it offers a validity
of 30 days after the traveler’s arrival in the country.
On the
other hand, East Africa via Rwanda e-visas allow the traveler to visit three
countries; Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. While traveling with these visas, the
foreign national should always make sure that his or her first entry will be
Rwanda. In usual cases, the validity of these visas will be 90 days after
entry.
What
is Rwanda e-visa?
Rwanda
e-visas are nothing but electronic travel authorization that allows foreign
nationals to legally visit the country. While traveling to Rwanda, foreign
travelers should take the print out of these electronically generated documents
and should show to the immigration authorities at the entry port.
How
many days it will take to get Rwanda entry e-visas?
In usual
cases, the visa will be issued within seven days after the application is submitted.
If you want to get your visa within 24 hours, you should pay an additional fee
to the authorities.
How
many days can I stay in Rwanda using an entry e-visa?
Foreign
nationals are allowed to stay for 30 days in Rwanda using an entry e-visa.
I am
resident of Congo. Should I need a visa to enter Rwanda?
Congo is
a visa exempt country, and as a result, you do not need a visa to enter Rwanda.
The other visa exempt countries are Benin, Central African Republic, Chad,
Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Senegal, Seychelles and Sao Tome and Principe,
Mauritius, Philippines, Singapore and countries belonging to the East African
Community.
Can I
travel multiple times to Rwanda using an entry e-visa?
No,
Rwanda entry e-visa allows only single entry for foreign nationals.
How
many days it will take to get an East Africa via Rwanda e-visa?
Six days
is the standard processing time to obtain an East Africa via Rwanda e-visa. After
the visa processing, authorities will mail the e-visa to your email id.
However, if you want to obtain the e-visa before this standard time, you should
opt for quick processing, and it will help you to get the visas within 48
hours. In order to get visas quickly, you should pay an additional fee to the authorities.
What
is the validity of East Africa via Rwanda e-visa?
The
validity of an East Africa via Rwanda e-visa is 90 days after arrival. These
visas offer multiple entry privilege to foreign nationals, and the maximum
duration per stay is 90 days.
I
have a currently valid Kenya visa. Can I apply for a East Africa via Rwanda
e-visa?
No,
foreign nationals who have a valid Kenya, Uganda or Rwanda visa are not allowed
to apply for East Africa via Rwanda e-visa. If you want to obtain the East
Africa via Rwanda e-visa, you should initially cancel the valid Kenya visa, and
should apply for a fresh East Africa via Rwanda e-visa.
Is it
possible for me to extend the validity of my East Africa via Rwanda e-visa?
No, it
is impossible to extend the validity of an East Africa via Rwanda e-visa.
Foreign nationals should always make sure that they are leaving the country
before the expiration of the visa. If authorities nab you for overstaying, you
will be compelled to face serious legal consequences.
Can I
work in Rwanda using a Rwanda entry e-visa or East Africa via Rwanda e-visa?
No, both
entry e-visas and East Africa via Rwanda e-visas are issued for travelers who
wish to visit the country for activities related to tourism. Engaging in any
kind of work in Rwanda using these visas are prohibited, and violating this rule
will pull you to legal hassles. In order to work in Rwanda, a foreign national
should initially obtain a work permit, and after entering Rwanda, he or she
should apply for a temporary residence.
Will
I get a fee refund if my visa application gets denied by Rwanda authorities?
No. Rwanda
authorities will charge the fee irrespective of the visa application’s outcome.
I
committed an error in my application, and the visa is now issued. Can I modify
it now?
Once you
submit the visa application, it is not possible to make any changes on it. If there
are anomalies in your application and visa, then most probably, you will be
denied entry at the Rwanda entry port. In order to avoid this hassle, it is
always recommended to apply for a new e-visa.
Is it
possible to enter Kenya initially using an East Africa via Rwanda e-visa?
No. Using
an East Africa via Rwanda e-visa, foreign nationals should initially enter
Rwanda, and should later visit Kenya and Uganda.
When
should I apply for a Rwanda e-visa?
If you are
opting standard processing, it is always recommended to apply for an e-visa at
least ten days before your expected travel date.