SOCIAL DAY PROGRAM

General Information :

From 1st Jan 2018, Nationals of all countries receive visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport and all land borders.

Citizens of countries 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.

Please click here to view the communiqué on new visa regime : https://migration.gov.rw/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf_files/rwanda_s_new_visa_regine_-_final_final2.pdf

Citizens of all countries that are not visa exempt, have also option to submit application online (Click here : https://irembo.gov.rw/user/citizen/service/dgie/request_a_visa) 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. 

Extension of a visa should be applied for whilst initial visas remain valid.

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 at https://irembo.gov.rw/rolportal/web/dgie/east-africa-tourist-visa, 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).

Note

There is no single affiliated Agent that is authorized to apply for visa on your behalf. Such Agents may mislead you and charge more than the visa fees.

The visitor’s and East Africa Tourist Visa should not be used for employment.  

General Information for Applicants Seeking to visit Rwandaon a tourist visa :

Travel Document

An applicant should hold any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months.

Health Requirements

A vaccination certificate may be required at the border post. In the event of a major disease outbreak, specific requirements could be set and put to the knowledge of the public.

Visa Fees

These are fees for processing of applications. If applications are denied, or withdrawn by the applicant, refunds of fees will not be made.

Validity Of A Visa

The maximum and minimum period of validity of a visa is set out in the Information for Applicants for each visa class.

Single Or Multiple Entries

Whether a visa is issued for single or multiple entries is set out in the Information for Applicants for each visa class.

Financial Requirements

An applicant must have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their stay in Rwanda. Evidence for such funds may be requested online, at the Rwandan foreign mission or at the entry point.

Extension Of A Visa For Some Classes

Some visa classes may be extended. Details are set out in the Information for applicants for each class.

Extension of a visa should be applied for whilst initial visas remain valid.

A grace period of 5 days after a visa has expired is allowed for a person to either depart or renew their visa without a penalty; otherwise the person will be subjected to a penalty and a visa extension may be denied.

Change Of Status For Some Classes

An applicant may apply to the Director General for another class of visa whilst they are in Rwanda and whilst their current visa remains valid.

For the group tourist visa change of status is not permitted. Information for applicants for the particular visa class will state if change of status is allowed.

Visitors visa

Requirements for application

* 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 embassy

* Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6 months

* Single entry

* Work is not permitted

* Change of status is allowed

Application Fees

* Free of charge

Visa Validity

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.

For more information, please contact :

Health Information

Covid-19 testing is no longer a requirement prior to boarding the flight to Rwanda. However, regular Covid-19 testing is encouraged. b. The Passenger Locator Form is no longer a requirement before departure. Visit Rwanda Biomedical Centre Website for regular updates:

https://www.rbc.gov.rw/index.php?id=188

Weather

Temperature. In March, the average high-temperature is almost the same as in February – a still warm 26.9°C (80.4°F). The average low-temperature, in March, is 15.7°C (60.3°F). Expect some rare drops but the weather is generally friendly to any type of clothes.

Language

Kinyarwanda is the national language of Rwanda, and the first language of almost the entire population of the country. It is one of the country’s official languages alongside French, English, and Swahili.

Transport

Transportation on will be provided by the host to all delegates, VIP (board members), Speakers, Staff, Guests, exhibitors and sponsor from Kigali International Airport to all recommended event hotels.Transportation is also provided from/to above hotels to the nightly events & social day. To avoid any delay in hotel transfer, kindly send your flight and itinerary details to:

Electricity

In Rwanda the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in Rwanda, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 – 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa). Manufacturers take these small deviations into account. If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V – 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries), you need a voltage converter in Rwanda. You can also consider a combined power plug adapter/voltage converter

Currency

The Rwandan franc (Rwf) is the principal currency, although US dollars and EUROS are widely accepted.

Expect to pay for local services in cash, in Rwandan francs. The greater the amount, the more likely US dollars or other hard currencies are preferred, such as gorilla tracking and upmarket hotels.

A growing number of places accept credit and debit cards, with Visa being more widely accepted than Mastercard. It’s best to check when making a booking.

ATMs can be found in Kigali and nearly all major cities.

Cash can be exchanged at banks and private forex bureaux (bureau de change). Both are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s cheques away from the capital. Western Union facilities are common.

Tipping is discretionary and appreciated. Cash is usually preferred. As a rough guide, tip professional guides and drivers US $10 per day, trekking porters US $2.