Learn More: Entry e-Visa
RWANDA IS OPEN: Rwanda re-opened for tourism on 1 August 2020.
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
The Rwanda Entry eVisa is a travel document that allows travelers to visit Rwanda for tourist purposes. Note that while applying for your eVisa, you have the opportunity to add the Rwanda Passenger Locator Form to your purchase. This is a new mandatory document that the Government of Rwanda will use to contact you if you or someone you've been in contact with develops COVID-19 symptoms.
WHO CAN ENTER RWANDA WITH THIS DOCUMENT
Most nationalities need the Entry eVisa to enter Rwanda. See the FAQs for a list of those who can enter Rwanda visa-free.
OBTAIN THE RWANDA ENTRY E-VISA
To apply for this document, you need a valid passport and a booking confirmation from the hotel you’re staying in. It is mandatory that the dates on your booking confirmation match the dates of your arrival and departure from Rwanda.
To enter the country, you must have a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours before departure and undergo testing on arrival.
DISPLAY THE DOCUMENT
Once you have electronically submitted your application, you will receive the confirmation by email. Once the application is accepted, we’ll email you your eVisa approval letter, which must be printed and shown to the immigration officers upon arrival along with your negative PCR test result.
See the FAQs for information on the quarantine requirements for Rwanda
ABOUT COVID-19 SELF-TESTING
Don't waste vacation time searching for a COVID-19 test center. Even if you don't need to take a test to enter Rwanda, you will need a negative COVID-19 test result to enter the US. Simplify testing by ordering the eMed self-testing COVID-19 kit online. Pack the test in your suitcase and self-test no more than 3 days prior to your flight back to the US. Check the FAQs to learn more about our trusted testing partner.
Required Documents to Apply
Passport Personal Details Scan
Important Instructions
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US RESIDENTS ONLY: To return to the US you’ll need to take a COVID-19 test the day before your entry date. Don’t waste time looking for a test lab in Rwanda. Simplify travel with the purchase of an eMed test kit. Order yours now and pack it in your luggage. Then follow the Certified Guide’s online instructions to take the mandatory test 24 hours before your journey back to the US.
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Foreign citizens who have received an Entry Visa in the electronic visa system need to enter Rwanda through authorized checkpoints: 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 and Rusumo.
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The validity of your visa and maximum length of stay is 30 days Per Entry.
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Applicants passports be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of arrival to Rwanda.
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A proof of accommodation is required to obtain the travel document. The dates in this document MUST match the travel dates selected in the application. This is a requirement that is demanded by the government in order to issue the travel document.
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It is highly recommended that visa applications be lodged at least 3 days before the estimated date of departure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is iVisa.com a legitimate company?
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Remember that the customer service team at iVisa.com is here 24/7 to answer any questions you may have about our service.
Do I need a COVID vaccine or vaccination certificate to enter Rwanda?
Do I need to take a COVID-19 test before arrival to Rwanda?
- COVID test prior to arrival: rapid test within 72 hours
- COVID test after arrival: All travelers must undergo PCR testing on arrival.
- COVID test exemptions: Children under 5
Do I have to quarantine upon arriving in Rwanda?
- Quarantine requirements: There are no quarantine requirements.
What is a Passenger Locator Form?
What do I need to apply for a Rwanda Entry e-Visa?
We require the following to submit your application:
Passport Personal Details Scan
HOW TO TAKE THE PERFECT PHOTO FOR YOUR VISA:
What is the cost to obtain a Rwanda Entry e-Visa?
The costs will vary according to the processing time that you choose. These are the three alternatives we have for you:
- Standard Processing: 7 Business Days - USD 75.00.
- Rush Processing: 2 Business Days - USD 100.00.
- Super Rush Processing: 1 Business Day - USD 130.00.
Note: The prices mentioned above are the cost of the Rwanda Entry e-Visa. If you wish to add the Passenger Locator Form, you just need to add the amount of $9.95 (USD) in each processing time.
When should I apply for the Passenger Locator Form?
When should I apply for the Rwanda Entry eVisa?
How long is the Rwanda Entry e-Visa valid for?
If I plan to travel with my children do they need to get a Passenger Locator Form?
Each passenger must complete an individual form. Individuals under the age of 16 traveling with a guardian/parent may not need to complete their own form as long as:
- They will arrive and leave together,
- They will stay at the same address in Rwanda, and
- The details of the dependents are added into the guardian’s/parent’s form
Note: People over 16 years old traveling alone must complete an individual form.
What requirements should my passport meet if I want to apply for a Rwanda Entry e-Visa?
I made a mistake on my application. Can I modify the e-Visa after it’s issued?
What is the Rwanda Entry e-Visa?
How long can I stay in Rwanda with an Entry e-Visa?
How many entries may I allow to use this Passenger Locator Form?
Which countries are exempt of the Rwanda Entry e-Visa?
Nationals of the following countries are exempt of a Rwanda Entry e-Visa for a visit up to 90 days:
Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Senegal, Seychelles and Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Philippines, Singapore and countries belonging to the East African Community.
Can I work under a Rwanda Entry e-Visa?
Can I enter to Rwanda through any port of entry?
Foreign citizens who have received a Tourist e-Visa in the Electronic visa system need to enter through the following checkpoints:
- 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
Where can I check more info?
If I have more doubts, where can I contact you?
Yellow fever vaccination requirements to travel to Rwanda
A Yellow Fever vaccine is required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
More information in the following link:
Learn more about Rwanda Tourism
Rwanda is a small country in East Africa. It is landlocked and known as the country of a thousand hills. But even so, the country is relatively stable and makes for a great vacation destination. Its rich flora and fauna will keep you occupied during your trip there. Rwanda is the home a few rare animals such as the silverback gorillas. Although we do not recommend getting too close. Apart from that, you will be able to admire many species of birds and insects. Basically, this country is a small paradise for bird watchers.
First things first, getting to Rwanda is easy. The visa policy of Rwanda is one of the most lenient you will come across. There are numerous visa-exempt nationalities. However, if you are not exempt from getting a visa, you do not have to necessarily pay a visit to the nearest Rwandan embassy. That is because all travelers can either get a visa on arrival or apply for an electronic visa before departure. iVisa can help with the latter, and honestly, the online application process beats standing in line at the visa on arrival counter in Rwanda.
The e-visa grants you a 30-days stay in Rwanda, and you can use it for a single entry. With iVisa, you can get it in as little as 24 hours. Keep in mind that you do need a passport that has to maintain its validity for at least another 6 months from arrival.
Leaving technicalities aside, you are going to have an amazing time in Rwanda. There are plenty of things to see and do. You will go back home with incredible memories. For starters, the Nyungwe forest, which is located in south-west Rwanda, is a magical place filled with many species of animals. Chimpanzees, as well as other 12 primate species, call this forest their home. You can book tours which we highly recommend. Watching chimpanzees in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience, but it can also be incredibly dangerous. They are known to have killed people in the past, so please do not take your chances. They are smart but territorial animals.
The Parc National of Volcans is yet another location you have to visit. Keep in mind that this trip can get really pricey. That is because you can take excursions and spot gorilla families. One ticket can start at $1500. However, if you have the funds, you cannot miss it. If indeed you see a gorilla family, the experience is magical. Not many people can say that they have seen gorillas in their natural habitat. Even so, you can expect to spot none. But do not let that stop you from taking the trip. The sights are amazing, and you will have plenty of other animals to see.
Lake Kivu can also be a location that may interest you. It is a beautiful place with many sights to enjoy. People go there mostly to relax, but you can go on hikes and whatnot. The accommodation is nice, and the people are very welcoming.
In case you want to see something other than natural wonders, we recommend that you visit the Genocide Memorial in Kigali. You will get a great insight into one of the world’s greatest tragedies. You can walk around with an audio guide, but if you are in a small group, you can hire a tour guide.
There is another Genocide memorial in Nyamata. However, this one is not for the faint of heart. It is more explicit than the previous memorial. This one is located in a church where 10 thousand people were killed in 1994. Proof of the genocide exists to this day if you take a tour and see it. For example, you can see clothes piled up on benches, the roofs pocketed with bullet holes, and open crypts. If this is a topic that interests you, you should know that there is another memorial site located in Ntarama.
In Rwanda, the primary language is Kinyarwanda. However, English and French are widely spread as well, especially in the cities. As long as you know one or the other, you should be able to get around just fine.
As far as food and drink go, you are in for a treat. You cannot go to Rwanda and not try the local Brochettes. It is a kebab made with goat’s meat, but it is delicious. Most bars and restaurants serve this dish as a result of its popularity. The grilled chicken and fish are also very tasty. As long as you are in Rwanda, avoid drinking the tap water. Stick to bottled water only.
There is one thing that is worth mentioning. Unlike the rest of the world, in Rwanda, a buffet is not all-you-can-eat. You can only fill your plate once, and if you want another, you need to pay another fee. Doing otherwise will get you out of the establishment.
The people in Rwanda are nice and welcoming. They will do anything to help you during your vacation. They are used to tourists, and they know that begin nice always works in their favor since tourism is on the rise. You will enjoy their hospitality.
What you need to know before going to Rwanda is that the country is relatively conservative. As a woman, you need to dress modestly. Avoid wearing anything too revealing. Greetings are very important in Rwanda, and you should always say hello first to an elder. You also need to use both hands if you give someone a gift. Smoking is banned in certain public places, so watch out for signs that say that before lighting a cigarette. You could be fined otherwise.
Where safety is concerned, Rwanda is a relatively safe country to be. You need to avoid the borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. As usual, you need to be careful with petty thieves. But as long as you use your common sense and avoid unfortunate situations, you should be fine. There are no significant outbreaks of diseases in Rwanda but keep yourself informed. You never know.
The bottom line is that Rwanda is definitely a country you should visit. The chance of spotting gorillas alone makes for great motivation. The people are incredibly nice, and you can find more than modest accommodation at affordable prices. The food is delicious and healthy, and surely you are going to have a lovely time. While in the region, you can also visit the entire East African Community. Together with Uganda and Kenya, Rwanda is one of those charming African countries that will give you unforgettable memories.
Where can I read more?
- Rwanda Covid-19 Restrictions
- Rwanda Vaccine Requirements: Are they needed?
- How Can Citizens of the United States Enter Rwanda During Coronavirus?
- How Can Citizens of Germany Enter Rwanda During Coronavirus?
- See how Citizens of the United Kingdom Can enter Rwanda during Coronavirus Pandemic
- How Can Citizens of Kenya Enter Rwanda during Coronavirus?
- HOW CAN CITIZENS OF NIGERIA ENTER RWANDA DURING CORONAVIRUS?
- HOW CAN CITIZENS OF CANADA ENTER RWANDA DURING CORONAVIRUS?
- HOW CAN CITIZENS OF SOUTH AFRICA ENTER RWANDA DURING CORONAVIRUS?
- SEE WHAT ARE THE RWANDA COVID TEST REQUIREMENTS
- TAKE A LOOK AT RWANDA PASSENGER LOCATOR EXAMPLE
- LEARN MORE ABOUT RWANDA PASSENGER LOCATOR INFORMATION
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