The Rwandan Tourist Visa for your Holiday or Visiting a Family
If you are considering of going to Rwanda as a tourist or to meet a family or friend, then applying for a Rwandan tourist visa can become a necessary task.
Usually, a visitor can apply for the necessary Rwandan tourist visa online/ at the nearest Rwandan consulate in the country of your residence for a stay in Rwanda of up to three months.
General Visa Requirements and Validity Period of Rwandan Tourist Visa
Before applying for a tourist visa for Rwanda, it is recommended you check whether you meet all the Rwandan visa requirements.
A brief list of the most important requirements and conditions when getting the tourist visa for Rwanda:
- You do not intend to carry out volunteer work that may otherwise be carried out by a paid worker in Rwanda.
- You do not plan to enter into a work relationship in Rwanda.
- You do not plan to give services to Rwandan organisations (this is allowed with a Rwandan work visa or business visa).
- You do not plan to provide or sell services or products to consumers in Rwanda.
- You and your relative are not in debt to the Rwanda Government.
- You do not present a threat to the health or safety and security of residents of Rwanda.
- You have the ability to show that you have sufficient financial resources to pay for your visit and return from Rwanda.
Do I require a Rwandan tourist visa?
It depends on your citizenship and also the kind of travel document you are using to travel to Rwanda.Please click here to check if you require a Rwandan visa.
Exactly who can get a Rwandan tourist visa?
Any person wishing to go on holiday to Rwanda can request a Rwandan tourist visa.
There are several kinds of visa for Rwanda which you can use as a visitor to Rwanda. If you are not sure which sort of Rwandan tourist visa you require to apply, please get in touch with the local Rwandan visa office to obtain additional clarification as goal of this page is to offer you general guide when getting Rwandan tourist visa.
What type of Rwandan visa do I require?
This depends on three things:
- The nationality according to your passport – If the nationality according to the passport is from a nation that is on visa free travel to Rwanda or eligible to apply for a visa on arrival in Rwanda, then you may not require to get a Rwandan tourist visa prior to departure from your home country. Please go here to find out if you require a Rwandan visa.
- The timeframe of your trip in Rwanda – If you want to stay in Rwanda for a shorter duration no more than ninety days, then you can request the Rwandan tourist visa. If you wish to remain much longer, then get in touch with the nearest Rwandan visa office to find the suitable visa for your travel.
- The activities you hope to accomplish in Rwanda – If your sole reason of travelling is for tourism, then you can make an application for all kinds of Rwandan tourist visas stated on this page.
General Visa Application Requirements to Get Rwandan Visitor Visa
- Visitor visa Form for Rwanda – Completed Rwandan visa Form.
- Original and signed passport – The passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months prior to entering Rwanda and three months after leaving Rwanda. It has to contain at the very least 2 extra visa pages and can not be older than ten years.
- Passport type photo – Photo has to be no older than 6 months and must be 35 x 40mm in size.
- Previous passport – Supply a previous passport if you had any.
- Previous visas – Copies of previous Rwandan visas information if you had any.
- Flight tickets to Rwanda – Reservation of return or round trip flight tickets. In some circumstances the Rwandan visa office may request for pre-paid air travel tickets to Rwanda.
- Travel insurance coverage – Proof of travel insurance with a minimum cover set by the Rwandan consular office provided with the Certificate of Insurance and the table of benefits. The travel insurance coverage have to cover the expense of repatriation for medical reasons and the Certificate of Currency must be issued by an insurer. If you are thinking of utilizing your credit card travel insurance for your travel to Rwanda, please call Rwandan consular office for more details and travel insurance coverage requirements for the Rwandan visa.
- Original bank declarations – Original bank statements for the last 3 months showing enough funds to cover stay in Rwanda. If statements are printed online then it has to be Verified (marked) by the financial institution officials.
- Hotel Reservations in Rwanda – Copy of confirmed hotel bookings including name of the applicant, name and address of the hotel, length of stay. In a lot of scenarios, only bookings which are partly or completely pre-paid can be accepted.
- Work letter – This letter has to be: original and signed letter from employer written on company letter head paper, confirming your ongoing employment, the status of employment, regular monthly income and yearly leave. Additionally, please supply your three latest pay slips. If you are self-employed: provide certified copies of business registration, tax return.
- For students. Please offer the following:
- Proof of present student status: Certificate of Enrollment.
- Original and signed letter from university written on university letter head paper, confirming on-going enrolment, confirming the payment of tuition fees or any scholarships, and confirming term break.
- Insurance policy from Organisation/University – Offer a letter from the University specifying the purpose, period of travel and confirmation that you will be covered by the insurance for the entire trip along with the Certificate of Currency and summary of benefits.
As a whole, visa applications for Rwandan visa ought to be submitted for a maximum of 6 months, and no behind 15 days, prior to the trip.