Rwanda

The East Africa Visa via Rwanda is accessible to the majority of European, American, Asian and Oceanian nationalities. However, the entry regime for Rwanda is more complex than it first appears: several exemption categories dispense certain travellers from any prior formality.

Citizens of member countries of the African Union, the Commonwealth and the Francophonie receive a free visa on arrival, for a stay of up to 30 days. Nationals of member states of the East African Community (Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan) benefit from an even more favourable regime: they receive a free visa on arrival for stays of up to 6 months.

An additional list of countries may obtain a 90-day visa free of charge on arrival, including Angola, Benin, the Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, the Philippines, Senegal, the Seychelles, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, Singapore and Qatar.

For nationalities that do not benefit from any of these exemptions, two options exist: apply for the East Africa e-Visa online before departure (recommended), or obtain a visa on arrival in Rwanda. This second option is available to all eligible nationalities, but it carries risks of long waiting times and constraints related to available payment methods on site.

The East Africa Visa is valid for one initial entry into Rwanda. Once in the region, you may cross the border between the three countries (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya) as many times as you wish, with no restriction on the number of crossings. However, the total duration of stay — across all three countries combined — must not exceed 90 days.

The visa starts running from the date of first entry into Rwanda, not from the date of issue. You have 3 months from the date of issue to use this visa: if you do not enter Rwanda within this period, the document expires.

It is important to note that this visa is strictly for tourism. It does not permit work, paid activity or study in Rwanda, Uganda or Kenya under any circumstances. Any professional activity requires specific residence permits.

If you wish to extend your stay beyond the authorised period, you should contact a local immigration office to request a visa extension. This must be done before your current visa expires.

Obtaining the East Africa Visa is a key step, but it is not sufficient on its own for a well-prepared trip to Rwanda and East Africa. Here are some general recommendations to help you approach your stay with peace of mind.

Health and vaccinations: beyond yellow fever — mandatory if you are coming from an endemic country — it is recommended to consult a doctor or travel vaccination centre at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Vaccines against typhoid, hepatitis A and hepatitis B are frequently advised for travellers to East Africa. The question of antimalarial prophylaxis should be discussed with your doctor depending on your specific itinerary.

Your passport: check its expiry date well before booking your flights. It must be valid for at least 6 months after the departure date of your trip across the three covered countries. Also make sure it has enough blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

Accommodation: the named hotel booking is a mandatory document for the visa application. Make sure you have written confirmation showing your name and the exact address of the establishment in Rwanda. Refundable bookings can be a practical solution if your programme is not yet fully confirmed.