3-month visa on arrival in Rwanda

Hi Has anyone been to Rwanda recently and gotten a 3-month visa on arrival easily? Thanks

Hi, What passport do you have?

French

Thanks, Just Rwanda or East Africa as well?

Rwanda only

I'm wondering if there's any downside to getting an East African visa for $100 and NOT going to Kenya and Uganda .

Because in the end, the cost is the same, without having to pass through Kigali twice at the end of 30 and 60 days.

As a Rwandan, when I travel to neighboring countries (allowed up to 6 months max stay), immigration services always stamp 15 days or 1 month max in the passport. (Renewable if needed, of course).

I know there’s a 3-month visa just for Rwanda that’s cheaper

Hi It’s the V1, Holiday Purpose

Visitors visa

$70, multiple entries, 3-month duration—check the DGIE website for details.

From what I can tell, there’s no reason or info suggesting this has changed, so it should still be available on arrival.

Awesome, thanks! 😉

Hello, This is the V1, Holiday Purpose.

Visitors visa

$70, multiple entries, valid for 3 months as per the DGIE website.

As far as I know, there’s no reason or information suggesting this has changed, so it should still be available on arrival.

That’s interesting, thanks for this update!

By the way, a quick question:

Do the automated control gates (Automated Passenger Clearance System) at Kigali International Airport work? Have you used them before?

According to the Rwandan Embassy in France (cases 5 & 6), it seems you no longer need to register in advance to use them. 🙂😇

Hi, Never used it because, well, you had to register, and I didn’t take the time to do that. But we also heard that now it works without prior registration (though, to be honest, I don’t test it—I prefer to maximize my chances of getting through quickly via the counter line, in case the info about the automatic gates turns out to be wrong). I’d be happy to know if it actually works now ;)

Yeah, you're totally right—it's a double-edged sword 😏. Either you zip through in 5 seconds and feel like a boss, or, like it happened to me a few times (with the pre-2019 passport—so mandatory registration), the gates were out of order half the time and—*coincidentally*—right when KLM and Brussels flights arrived at the same time😕. Caution won out over the lottery... With two trips (not before) this summer and a bit of time, I’ll give it a shot and ask about residents too!

Hello, This is the V1, Holiday Purpose.

Visitors visa

$70, multiple entries, valid for 3 months as per the DGIE website.

As far as I know, there’s no reason or information suggesting this has changed, so it should still be available on arrival.

The problem I’m having is that the airline is saying the opposite of what immigration in Kigali told me, and I don’t want to risk being denied boarding. So now I’m not sure what to do.

I sent a message to Brussels Airlines to make sure they’re aware, and here’s their response: In response to your question, you must obtain an e-visa before your flight departs at the following address: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/2NYZWA9F.

And here’s what immigration in Kigali told me: Please be informed that there is no need to apply for a visa in advance. Rwanda issues visas upon arrival to all nationalities, including French passport holders. You may simply present your passport at the point of entry, and the visa will be issued.

Have you (already?) bought the ticket, round-trip or one-way?

I haven’t flown Brussels Airlines in a while—they’re expensive, I don’t like their service, and on top of that, RwandAir now flies to Paris. They’re often the cheapest, their planes are nice, and the service is just as good. What SN is telling you doesn’t make sense since even Rwandan authorities say the opposite (see also the website of the Rwandan Embassy in France).

Maybe you can call the Embassy directly (they helped me a lot and were really friendly almost 15 years ago before I came here) and ask if an e-visa is required for your situation. I checked the DGIE website migration.gov.rw but couldn’t find any info about it—nowhere. Everything says it’s done at the border.

Another option is to apply through Irembo as SN suggested, even if it’s not normally necessary. At least you’ll have the e-visa (if it works, which I assume it will).

Otherwise, I’m afraid you won’t have a satisfying solution to ease the little stress before check-in without an e-visa, since Rwanda will say it’s not needed, and SN will say it is.

But I don’t see SN blocking you if you’ve done what the Rwandan authorities confirmed you could do.

Have you (already?) bought the ticket, round-trip or one-way?

yes round-trip

I haven’t flown Brussels Airlines in a while—they’re expensive, I don’t like the service, and on top of that, RwandAir now flies to Paris. They’re often the cheapest, their planes are nice, and the service is just as good. What SN is telling you doesn’t make sense since even Rwandan authorities say the opposite (see also the website of the Rwandan Embassy in France). Maybe you can call the Embassy directly (they helped me a lot and were really friendly almost 15 years ago before I came here) and ask if you need an e-visa in your situation. I checked the DGIE website migration.gov.rw but couldn’t find any info on this—nowhere. Everything says it can be done at the border. Another option: apply through Irembo as SN suggests, even if it’s not normally required. At least you’ll have the e-visa (assuming it works, which I imagine it will). Otherwise, I’m afraid you won’t have a satisfying solution to ease the little stress before check-in without an e-visa, since Rwanda will say it’s not necessary and SN will say it is. But I don’t see SN stopping you if you’ve done what the Rwandan authorities confirmed you could do.

I can’t take that risk... at 5 AM, all it takes is one grumpy, half-asleep employee who doesn’t know the rules, and I’ll be left with nothing but regrets. I’ll call the embassy again on Wednesday—today and tomorrow are holidays. Thanks for your advice

In practice, it seems Rotsaka is right. However, without wanting to defend Brussels Airlines and their grumpy employee at 5 AM , there’s a good chance they’re applying the strictest rule (to cover themselves, of course). So, with your travel dates (over 30 days), you definitely need a visa. The Visit Rwanda website states that the visa can be paid either online or on arrival. My interpretation is that even if you plan to pay for the visa only on arrival, complete the pre-application/e-visa online (if possible—I’m not sure) and print the receipt or proof to bring on the day of your flight for check-in. You’ll be covered just as if you already had your $70 visa in hand. Let us know if a pre-application can be done online with later payment 🙂

This seems to me the only solution to be reassured and meet SN’s (unreasonable) requirements. You need to go on IREMBO as they ask you to (it’s the official site used in Rwanda for lots of administrative procedures) and complete the visa application. I only tested the beginning but didn’t go all the way to see how the payment works, but I think they’ll offer Visa or Mastercard. I’m not sure a new call to the Embassy will tell you much more since the issue clearly comes from SN.

This seems to me the only solution to be reassured and meet SN’s (unreasonable) requirements. You need to go on IREMBO as they ask you to (it’s the official site we also use in Rwanda for many administrative procedures) and complete the visa application. I only tested the beginning but didn’t go all the way to see how payment works, but I think they’ll offer Visa or Mastercard. I’m not sure a new call to the Embassy will tell you much more because the issue clearly comes from SN.

From Brussels, the actual SN staff are probably better trained than at layovers (like Paris or Marseille, where it’s a service provider handling multiple airlines/rules and not very flexible). Plus, given how often this happens, I imagine SN staff in Brussels are more aware of the specific formalities for flights to Rwanda.

Since our friend is leaving from a layover, it’s safer for him to play it safe in case of rigid and obtuse staff (but within their rights) by going on Irembo for his pre-application. Is it immediate or does it take a while?

Do you know if—like in Entebbe, for example—there are multiple lines on arrival in Kigali? Like, one for no visa and one for visa holders? Maybe if he’s lucky, his line will be empty and faster 🙂.

Hello Yes, normally the boarding staff are more up-to-date or at least have someone on hand who knows. Better to use Irembo, and in any case, if the staff are being difficult and not following the rules—since they’re supposed to know that visas are issued on arrival. I don’t think there’s a deadline for a visitor visa, and given the efficiency and digitalization of services in general, it shouldn’t be a problem.

On arrival, to the right, there are gates for nationals and residents, plus 1 or 2 counters for officials and others with fast-track access (VIPs, airline staff, etc.). To the left and far left, there are 2 lines for everyone else—those who already have a visa, those who don’t need one, and those applying for one.

Furthermore, Rwandair now flies to Paris. They are often the cheapest, their planes are nice, and the service is just as good..

Many members on this site don’t share your point of view at all😐. Their early morning arrival is the biggest advantage I appreciate about their direct flight—it optimizes the day—even though I’ve never taken their flight from Paris (only from Gatwick back then and Brussels). However, it’s less convenient from the provinces compared to SN/KL/TK/KQ.

Like everyone, I think ground staff—whether outsourced or not—can make mistakes 😛, so it’s best to anticipate them🏴‍☠️!

When I tried a quick simulation on the Irembo site (not the app, if it exists), I noticed (or maybe I made a bad initial choice) that the Visa Application only covers:

* VE-1 (30 days) * VE-2 (Transit) * V2 Family (Single Entry) * V1 Holiday (Single Entry) * VC Crew Member * V1 Holiday (Single Entry) yes, again

There’s no sign of the one you mentioned: V1 Holiday (Multiple entries) for $70. Maybe it’s on the next page!

EDIT: Thanks for the info about the different lines at arrival. In the end, he won’t save any time (if everyone arrives without a visa and he, on the contrary, with one).

The multiple-entry visa is available under the Renew tab, not in visa application.

Not at all in agreement with my take on RwandAir? Well, it’s a bit like all airlines—there are always people who’ve had issues and, rightly so, complain about them. Personally, I travel with RwandAir several times a year, as well as Ethiopian, and it works just fine for me. I no longer fly SN unless I’m forced to, and the same goes for KLM. I didn’t find Qatar Airways, Emirates, or Turkish Airlines as amazing as some people claim (at least not to the extent they say). Some friends no longer fly RwandAir, and my daughter won’t set foot on an Ethiopian flight again. Often, it’s just stories of bad experiences.

Yeah, clearly, you don’t necessarily save time by already having your visa. I’ve waited nearly 2 hours upon arrival when KLM and SN flights landed at the same time because there were so many people. And of course, since everyone’s in the same line—including those who need to get their visa—it takes even longer. That’s when I *could’ve* tried the automated kiosks but didn’t because I was afraid of ending up at the back of the line and wasting even more time.

In practice, it seems Rotsaka is right. However, without wanting to defend Brussels Airlines and their grumpy employee at 5 AM, there's a good chance they're applying the strictest rule (to cover themselves, obviously). So indeed, with your travel dates (over 30 days), you clearly need a visa. The Visit Rwanda website states that the visa can be paid either online or on arrival. My interpretation is that even if you want to pay for the visa only on arrival, do the pre-application/pre-e-visa online (if possible—I don’t know) and print the receipt or proof you’ll bring on the day of check-in. You’ll be covered just as if you already had your $70 visa in hand. Let us know if a pre-application can be done online with later payment [ :)]

No, it’s impossible. Don’t dream. Getting proof of a visa without paying for it doesn’t exist. Not for any country.

Going back to the original topic: Actually, you shouldn’t choose "Renew" since it’s not an extension. You need to select "Other" from the passport dropdown menu—then it works. I just paid for the visa online. Fingers crossed. For info, I called the embassy, but they were unreachable.

Actually, it’s genocide commemoration week since yesterday, so there might be events because of that, with fewer people available. But normally, they should still get back to you at some point.

If you’ve already paid, everything should be fine anyway. There’s no reason it wouldn’t be. You should’ve received a confirmation that your application was submitted, either by SMS or email (that’s how it works here in Rwanda).

In the end, what payment methods do they offer? And what currencies was it available in?

Actually, it’s the week of genocide commemorations since yesterday, so there might be events because of that with people being less available. But normally, they should still get back to you at some point.

If you’ve paid, everything should be fine anyway. There’s no reason it wouldn’t be. You should’ve received a confirmation that your application was submitted via SMS or email (that’s how it works here in Rwanda).

In the end, what payment methods do they offer? And what currencies was it available in?

I gave them my email because to get an SMS confirmation, they ask for a Rwandan number. I did receive the confirmation by email. I paid by credit card in RWF.

Nice! Even with the bank fees for paying in RWF, it should still work out way cheaper than the USD rate, right?

Anyway, you’ll be able to write up a guide for others looking to get the same type of visa—what seemed straightforward turned out to be anything but, and you’ve really paved the way and explored all the nooks and crannies of Irembo.

Got my visa confirmation tonight😎😎 Speed-wise, I think it's unbeatable Brussels Airlines, I'm ready and waiting😉

Great, and it lets you travel with peace of mind. 🙂

Got my visa confirmation tonight😎😎 Speed-wise, I think it's unbeatable Brussels Airlines, I'm ready and waiting😉

The 4-day (from memory) processing time is more than enough for you ... or at least, it used to depend on the visitor's nationality!

Please report back here to let us know if 1) they asked for proof and 2) when (Paris or Brussels)

Got my visa confirmation tonight😎😎 Speed-wise, I think it's unbeatable Brussels Airlines, I'm ready and waiting😉

The 4 days (if I remember correctly) of processing time are more than enough for you ... or sometimes it depended on the visitor's nationality!

Give us an update here to let us know if 1) they asked you for proof and 2) when (Paris or Brussels)

If they ask me for it, it'll only be in Paris In Brussels, given the length of the layover, they don't have time to ask for anything