Travel and Tourism in Rwanda .
Note: Although Rwanda is politically stable, travellers are advised to avoid being closer to the borders with Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Pays des Milles Collines (Land of a Thousand Hills), Rwanda is a lush country of endless mountains.The peaks of the Virunga volcanoes are the most majestic in the world so far.These mountains found In Parc National Des Volcans, the volcanoes form a natural border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, and in it’s jungles and bamboos, are hidden a considerable percentage of the world’s last remaining Mountain Gorillas.
The shores of Lake Kivu can provide you with some of the best inland beaches on the continent. Deep in the southwest, Parc National Nyungwe Forest is the most extensive montane rainforest in the region, and home to many primates.
Rwanda has five volcanoes, twenty-three lakes and numerous rivers, some forming the source of River Nile. Spectacular volcanoes and dense tropical forests dominate the north of the country, while gentle hills and valleys, calm lakes and turbulent rivers in both savannah and dense tropical vegetation dominate the rest of the country.
Rwandan Visas:
Foreign Nationals who wish to get Rwandan Visas can submit their applications to Rwandan Diplomatic Missions in their Countries.
For those coming from countries where there is no Diplomatic Mission, they should request for an entry on line which will be used to obtain a visa on any official point of entry (airport or border post) in Rwanda.
In view of the bilateral agreements, the Nationals of the following Countries may visit Rwanda without visa for a period up to 90 days: USA, Germany, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, Mauritius, South Africa, Kenya, Great Britain, Sweden, Singapore, Hong Kong and Burundi.
The visitor’s visa should not be used for employment.
Categories of Visas
The Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration issues the following visas :
- Entry visa : available online only, issued for a single entry on any official point of entry in Rwanda, valid for 15 days and renewable by the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration up to 90 days maximum
- Transit visa : duration 2 days
- Visitors’/ tourist visa: issued by Rwandan Embassies and renewable at Migration office;
- Resident visa with work permit/business-working: renewable and multiple entry;
- Resident visa without work permit
- Permanent visa :multiple entry.
General Information for an Applicant Seeking To Visit Rwanda On a Tourist Visa
Travel Document: An applicant shall be holder of a valid passport or another acceptable travel document. The document must have a validity of at least 6 months on the day of entry in Rwanda.
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 applicants.
Visa Fees: These are fees for processing of applications. If applications are refused, or withdrawn by the applicant, refunds of fees will not be made.
Validity of Visas: The maximum and Minimum period of validity of visas is set out in the Information for Applicants for each visa class.
Single or Multiple Entries: Whether a visa will usually be 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 Visas for Some Classes: Some visa classes may be extended. Details are set out in the Information for Applicants for each class.
Extensions of visas should be applied for whilst initial visas remain valid.
A period of grace also allows a visa holder 5 days after their visa expires to depart the country, without penalty. Persons who depart more than 5 days after the expiry of their visa may be subject to a fine and may be refused a further visa.
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 classes will state if change of status is not allowed.
Verification of Documents: Documents, supporting applications, must be originals or certified as true copies by the issuing authority.
Categories of Visas
The Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration issues the following visas :
1.V-1 Entry visa
- V1 Entry Visa :
- V2 Crew Pass :
- VP-Visitors Pass :
2. Q-Transit Visa
- Q-1 Transit visa :
3. Tourist Visa
- T1-Tourists :
- T2-Tourist :
- T3-Family :
- T4-Official Diplomat :
- T5-Job Search :
- T6 Conference :
- T7-Business :
- T8-Medical Treatment :
- T9-Group Tourist :
- T10-Itinerant Business Person :
- T11-Bridging :
PERMIT
1. Temporary Resident Permits
- A-Prospecting and Mining :
- B-Agriculture, animal husbandry and related activities :
- C-Prescribed Professionals :
- D-Diplomats :
- E-Government or Parastatal Employee :
- F-Specific Manufacturing and Processing :
- G-Specific Trade, Business and services :
- H-Specific Employement by Specific Employer :
- I-Approved Religious Activities :
- J-Hospitality Industry and Related Activities :
- K-Person with Assured Income :
- M- Dependant Pass :
- N-Student Pass and Occupational Trainee :
- P-Voluntary Worker and Holiday Worker :
- R-Special Pass :
- S-Frontier Pass :
- W-Information Technology and its related activities :
- X-Transport and logistics :
- Z-Other Investments :
2. Permanent resident Permit
- L-1 Resident Exceeding Five Year
- L-2 Exceptional Considerations
- L-3 Ket Staff of Multinational Companies
- L-4 Diaspora
- L-C Child
- L-M Spouse
Notes:
- Diploma, Police Clearance, Marriage certificate and Birth Certificate should be translated in English or French
- To the applicants applying for resident permits, Grace Period is 15 days upon arrival in the country, after that period, the penalty will be applied immediately as stipulated by the law.
- The Director General of Immigration and Emigration may request the applicants to submit any other document when deems necessary for more information and clarification.
General Conditions To Obtain Rwandan Visas :
The applicant should have:
- A valid Passport;
- Application letter specifying type of visa required;
- A recently taken passport size photo (4 cm x 4cm);
- A complete filled application form.
NB: Police clearance from country of residence within the last six months is required
when applying for resident visa
Rwandan Travel Documents
- Rwandan Passports:
- Ordinary passport.
- Official passport.
- Diplomatic passport.
- Laissez passer.
- CEPGL.
- Emergency travel document (not yet in place).
- Refugee travel document.
- Collective laissez-passer (not yet in place).
- Border pass.
FLIGHS TO RWANDA.
The biggest airlines flying to Rwanda are KLM flights to Rwanda, Kenya Airways flights to Rwanda, Qatar Airways flights to Rwanda.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. |
South African Airways. |
Lufthansa. |
Kenya Airways. |
Delta. |
Precision Air. |
Qatar Airways. |
Rwandair Express. |
Air Canada. |
Ethiopian Airlines. |
United. |
US Airways. |
Brussels Airlines. |
Air France. |
AIR CHARTERS IN RWANDA.
- Private jets Rwanda
- Rwanda air