GoRwanda Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

Rwanda visas are divided into three categories: entry, transit, and tourism. Under these three categories, there are 16 subcategories, mainly including entry, transit, tourism, official, work, reunion, business, and medical visas.

The Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda on Mutual Exemption of Visa for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders shall come into effect on December 23, 2018. After the agreement comes into effect, Chinese citizens holding valid diplomatic, official, or service ordinary passports can stay in Rwanda for no more than 90 days without a visa; Chinese citizens holding the above-mentioned passport who intend to stay in Rwanda for more than 90 days or engage in activities that require prior approval from the competent authorities of the country, such as work, study, settlement, or news reporting, should apply for a visa before entering the country. Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports entering Rwanda do not enjoy visa free treatment. They can apply for a visa on arrival at the airport customs for a fee of $50, without the need for prior application. The stay should not exceed 30 days, and if it exceeds 30 days, they need to go to the Rwandan immigration office to apply for a visa extension.

Chinese citizens can also apply for a single entry visa at the Rwandan embassy abroad, with a fee of 350 RMB; The cost of a business visa valid for 3 months for multiple entries is 490 RMB, and the cost of a tourist visa is 490 RMB; Alternatively, you can apply for a one-time entry electronic visa with a stay of no more than 30 days on the website of the Rwanda Immigration Bureau, which costs $50. Before going to Rwanda, you need to apply on the website of the Rwanda Immigration Bureau. After 3 to 5 working days, the Rwanda Immigration Bureau will send the entry permit to the applicant's mailbox. After arriving in Lu, you can enter the country by presenting your entry permit and paying the fee at the customs.

Chinese citizens entering Rwanda must hold a valid passport, visa, international travel health certificate, and International Vaccination Certificate (commonly known as the "Yellow Book").

Transit through Rwanda for no more than 72 hours requires the application of a valid transit visa for one entry, with a fee of $30 (please inquire with the purchasing airline for details). You can apply online in advance or at the Rwandan embassy abroad.

Hong Kong SAR passport holders can apply for an entry visa in advance on the websites of Rwandan embassies and immigration authorities, or directly apply for a visa on arrival at the port of entry.

After the expiration of the entry visa, if you still need to stay, you should apply for the corresponding visa from the Rwanda Immigration Bureau in a timely manner. Otherwise, you will be fined at least 20000 Lu Lang (about 14 US dollars).

The Rwanda Immigration Office accepts application materials from Monday to Friday morning, and the afternoon is for evidence collection. Generally, visa processing takes 5 working days.

All personnel entering from Rwanda airport ports must undergo inspection. When entering or leaving the country, immigration officials will carefully verify the identity documents and visas of the incoming person, and take photos on site. Rwanda airport has strict security checks for outbound boarding, please cooperate with the security personnel.

Special reminder: Rwanda prohibits the use of short-term visas such as tourist visas to engage in business, labor, and other work in the country. Applying for a visa online requires obtaining a visa receipt before entering, otherwise it will be considered illegal entry. The Rwandan government has used biometric technology at all ports of entry and exit, and all foreigners must collect fingerprints when entering the country.

For specific details, please refer to the website of the Embassy of Rwanda in China or the website of the Rwanda Immigration Department.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

The Customs Affairs Department under the Rwanda Taxation Bureau is the competent authority for customs affairs in Rwanda.

According to the laws and regulations of Lu, drones and drone users need to register with the Civil Aviation Administration of Lu and apply for a license. The license for drone users is only applicable to citizens of Lu or permanent residents of Lu. Anyone entering Rwanda with a drone must declare to the National Police of Rwanda. Those who fail to declare or use drones in accordance with legal requirements will be punished by Lu's laws and regulations. Please refer to the relevant legal requirements page of the Civil Aviation Administration of Lu on drones for details https://www.caa.gov.rw/unmanned-aircraft .

There is no limit on the amount of cash carried into and out of Rwanda, but it must be declared. Carrying photography equipment into the country requires declaration during customs clearance.

Adults aged 18 and above are allowed to bring 250 grams of tobacco and its products, 1 liter of spirits, and 2 liters of wine duty-free upon entry.

Rwanda strictly prohibits the entry of pirated products, obscene books, and obscene audiovisual products, as well as illegal trade such as money laundering.

When importing animals and plants, relevant inspection and quarantine certificates and permits from the Ministry of Agriculture of Lu are required for customs clearance.

Rwanda prohibits the export of raw or processed rhinoceros horn, ivory, and sea turtles. The list of prohibited and restricted import and export items can be found on the website of the Rwanda Taxation Bureau.

Rwandan law prohibits the use of plastic bags, plastic packaging films, and other plastic products. If the above-mentioned plastic products are found to be used upon entry, they will be required to be left at customs and not allowed to be brought into the country. To avoid inconvenience, it is recommended to switch to environmentally friendly alternatives before entering the country.

Rwandan law prohibits the illegal use, trafficking, and possession of drugs.

Smoking and drunkenness are not allowed in public places.

For specific details, please refer to the website of the Rwanda Revenue Authority.

Residency and Naturalization

To do business or work in Rwanda, one must apply for a residence permit from the Rwanda Immigration Bureau. The applicant must submit a residence application to the immigration office within 15 days of arrival in Lu.

There are two types of residence permits in Rwanda: temporary and permanent. The temporary residence permit is generally valid for 2 years. Those who hold a temporary residence permit and stay in Lu for more than 5 years can apply for permanent residency.

To apply for a residence permit, relevant documents such as a valid educational certificate, a certificate of no criminal record, a labor contract, a technical level certificate, an application letter, a personal resume, and a marriage certificate that have been notarized and attached domestically must be submitted. The relevant materials must be translated into English or French.

The Rwandan Constitution stipulates that Rwanda recognizes dual citizenship. The acquisition, retention, enjoyment, and loss of Lu nationality will be interpreted by relevant laws. Under no circumstances shall anyone be deprived of their inherent right to Rwandan nationality. No one shall be deprived of their nationality without reason, nor shall they be deprived of the right to change their nationality. Individuals of Rwandan descent who have been persecuted have the right to obtain Rwandan citizenship.

Rwandan citizenship can be obtained through birth, marriage, adoption, and other means. For naturalization, foreigners need to submit birth certificates, birth certificates of minor children, copies of passports, foreigners' identity certificates, residence certificates, marriage certificates, employment certificates provided by the local government, crime free certificates and other materials to the Immigration Office or the Rwandan Embassy abroad.

For details, please refer to the website of the Embassy of Rwanda in China or the website of the Rwanda Immigration Department.

Rwanda risk level is blue (low risk)

public security

The overall security situation in Rwanda is good, but there are more thieves in densely populated areas. Do not carry large amounts of cash with you. There are also incidents of robbery, burglary, etc. Christmas and New Year's Eve are high-risk periods for cases, and vigilance should be heightened. Avoid crowded places such as bus stops. The security risks in the border area between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are high, and there are ongoing conflicts between the Congolese government army and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) alliance with the anti-government armed group M23 in the border area.

natural disaster

Rwanda has a temperate and tropical plateau climate, with an average annual temperature of 18-28 ℃, with the highest temperatures in August and September.

The main natural disasters in Rwanda include drought, floods, and mudslides that are easily triggered during the rainy season due to the influence of mountainous terrain. Small earthquakes occur occasionally, but the magnitude is not high.

In 2023, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake with a depth of 10km occurred in the Kivu Lake area located in the Western Province. The Nyiragongo volcano, located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, erupted in 2002, causing an earthquake that affected the western region of Rwanda and was also felt in the capital city of Kigali.

FDA

The food hygiene situation in Rwanda is relatively good, and the local health department often inspects the hygiene and food quality of restaurants. Food from regular restaurants and hotel restaurants can be consumed with confidence. But Rwanda is an amoebic disease epidemic area, and it is recommended not to eat or eat less raw and cold food.

Urgent Help

Bandit police: 112, you can also call the Lu National Police Headquarters through 078831115.

Fire alarm: 111 or 0788311120.

Traffic accident: 113 or 0788311110.

Lake police: 110.

First aid: 912.

Child Help Hotline: 116.

Gender based violence alarm: 3512.

Anti corruption hotline: 997.

Police complaint hotline: 3511.

First aid: 114

International cooperation: 0788311133.

Airport Security Department: 0788311139.

The phone numbers of the three main hospitals in Kigali city are as follows:

King Faisal Hospital: 252588888, 252589905, 252589577, 252582659, 252575555, 3839, 3939.

Kigali City University Central Hospital (CHUK): 2525757717, 252576466.

Rwanda Military Hospital: 252586420.

air traffic

Kenya Airways has launched flights from Kigali to Guangzhou and Hong Kong via Nairobi.

Ethiopian Airlines has launched flights from Kigali via Addis Ababa to Beijing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Chengdu.

Qatar Airways has launched flights from Kigali via Doha to Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong.

Belgian Airlines has launched flights from Brussels to Kigali; Royal Dutch Airlines has launched flights from Amsterdam to Kigali; Türkiye Airlines operates flights from Istanbul to Kigali.

Rwanda Airlines has flights from Kigali to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Kinshasa), South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast Gabon, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, India, Belgium, Israel and other countries.

Kigali International Airport is the only international airport in Rwanda, located 12km from the city center of Kigali, with a bus stop further away from the airport.

Airport inquiry: 0739087909.

Airport taxi reservation: 0788500660.

land transport

There are no railways within Rwanda.

The highways are relatively developed, providing direct access from the capital city of Kigali to the four provinces of southeast, northwest, and north, and there are also bus routes available.

Car rental companies offer off-road vehicles, Coasters, and other models, but the cost is relatively high, with a regular Coaster rental of $300 per day.

Self driving requires holding a local driver's license. You can submit an application letter, a copy of your driver's license, and other documents to the Traffic Department of the Rwanda National Police with a valid original driver's license to replace your driver's license. The cost is 60000 Lu Lang (approximately 42 US dollars).

Rwanda currently operates on left-hand drive and right-hand drive, and has stopped importing right-hand drive vehicles. However, previously imported right-hand drive vehicles can still be used. The road conditions in Lu are quite complex, with many slopes and bends. It is necessary to fasten your seat belt and drive carefully while driving. Drunk driving will result in imprisonment ranging from 3 days to 6 months. Most roads in Kigali city have a speed limit of 60km/h. Violations of traffic regulations such as speeding, overloading, running red lights, and answering phone calls while driving (if answering, headphones must be used) will result in a fine of over 25000 Lu Lang (approximately $18). Failure to pay the fine within five days will result in a late fee of 10000 Lu Lang (approximately $7).

Special reminder: In Rwanda, it is common for car rearview mirrors to be stolen, car windows to be smashed, and items inside the car to be stolen. It is recommended to park the self driving car in a safe place and avoid placing valuable items in obvious places inside the car. You can also hire a dedicated person to inspect the car for a fee.

water communication

There is no waterway transportation within Rwanda.

Urban transportation

Rwanda does not have a subway system.

The public transportation in the capital city of Kigali is relatively convenient. The transportation cost within the city is about 250-400 Lu Lang (approximately 0.3 US dollars). Charges are based on the number of stations when leaving the city.

Taxis are scarce and expensive. The starting price is 1500 Lu Lang (about 1 US dollar), and within 30 kilometers, it is 700 Lu Lang (about 0.5 US dollars) per kilometer; Over 30 kilometers, 500 Lu Lang per kilometer (approximately 0.35 US dollars), price negotiable.

The main mode of transportation for two people is "motorcycle", with the driver wearing a uniform vest and a green or red helmet, making it easier to recognize. The cost is relatively low, with a starting price of 300 Lu Lang (approximately 0.2 US dollars). But "motorized" vehicles generally have faster speeds and lower safety factors.

major city

Kigali, the capital city, was founded in 1907 and has a history of over 100 years. It is the political, economic, and cultural center of the entire country, covering an area of 730 square kilometers with an average elevation of 1600 meters. According to 2022 data, the permanent population of Kigali city is about 1.7 million, of which 70% are in the suburbs. Kigali has a pleasant climate, clean city appearance, orderly traffic and good security. It is considered as one of the safest capitals in Africa, and became the first city in Africa to win the "UN Habitat Award" in 2008. There are Western restaurants, Chinese restaurants, Indian restaurants, etc. in the city. There are many small hotels in Kigali city, but living conditions are limited. Serena Hotel (0788184500), Marriot Hotel (222111111), and Radiation Blue Hotel (252252252) are five-star hotels in Kigali city. In addition, there are several four-star hotels in Kigali, such as the Qianshan Hotel Umubano Hotel Lemigo Hotel Gorillas Golf Hotel and Manor Hotel, among others.

Please refer to the website of Kigali Municipal Government for details.

The second largest city in Rwanda, Huye, is located in the southern province of Rwanda, with a population of approximately 381900 people. There are the National University of Rwanda and the National Museum in Huye. Huye is known as the pulse of Rwandan knowledge and culture.

Commodity prices

Rwanda is rich in agricultural products such as bananas, pineapples, papayas, potatoes, etc. Due to the fact that most daily necessities need to be imported and are located inland, transportation costs are high, resulting in high prices.

The circulating currency in Rwanda is the Rwandan franc. Currently, 1 US dollar is equivalent to 1425 Lulang. The tax rate is relatively high, and the purchase price of goods generally includes a value-added tax (VAT) of 18%.

The National Bank of Rwanda also serves as a commercial bank, and there are multiple commercial banks in Rwanda, such as Rwanda I&M Bank and Kigali Bank ECOBANK, ACCESS Bank, FINA Bank, etc. VISA international card can be used at ECOBANK headquarters and Kigali International Airport without any transaction fees; It can also be used at ACCESS Bank and Kigali Bank headquarters, but a certain handling fee will be charged. In some banks and Forex, foreign currencies can be exchanged, and Western Union provides remittance services. Rwanda has no special restrictions on the exchange and transfer amounts of US dollars. Credit cards can be used in most hotels.

Special note: pre-2003 versions of the US dollar cannot be fully exchanged in Rwanda.

Insurance Medical

Lu lacks medical facilities and medicine. It is recommended that Chinese citizens bring their own commonly used preventive drugs to Lu.

Malaria is one of the common diseases in Rwanda, transmitted through mosquito bites. Symptoms include general chills, fever, excessive sweating, fatigue, muscle and joint soreness, diarrhea, headache, etc. After symptoms appear, it is necessary to go to a qualified and formal medical institution for testing and investigation as soon as possible to ensure "early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment". Do not use medication without authorization or wait for "self-healing" to delay the onset of a serious illness. Malaria can be treated by oral or injection of artemisinin based drugs. For severe symptoms, quinine based drugs need to be injected, but the side effects are significant. According to data, from January to October 2024, there were 630000 cases of malaria in Rwanda, with an infection rate of 4.47%.

Amoebiasis is also a disease with high incidence rate in Lulu. Amoeba cysts attach to vegetable stems and leaves, making it easy for humans to become infected when consuming undercooked vegetables. The preferred drug for treating amoebiasis is metronidazole.

In 2018, the AIDS infection rate among people aged 15-49 in Lu was about 3%.

Schistosomes have been found in Lake Kivu, and it is recommended not to swim in the lake.

Special reminder: Rwanda is an area affected by diseases such as yellow fever and cholera. It is recommended to receive relevant vaccines before leaving the country.

The main hospitals in Kigali include King Faisal Hospital, Kigali University Centre Hospital (CHUK), and Rwanda Military Hospital. However, the efficiency of hospitals is relatively low, and registration and consultation are time-consuming.

Some Western clinics have certain treatment capabilities. There are many pharmacies, and the cost of imported drugs is quite high. Many drugs need to be purchased with a doctor's prescription.

Chinese citizens traveling must consult the insurance company to determine if the insurance coverage is valid in Rwanda.

Customs taboos

The majority of people in Rwanda believe in Catholicism and Christianity, with a few adhering to Islam and other religions.

The main public holidays in Lu include: New Year's Day (January 1), Heroes' Day (February 1), Holocaust Remembrance Day (April 7), International Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (July 1), Liberation Day (July 4), Christmas Day (December 25), and Eid al Fitr.

Rwandan people greet each other with a handshake or a face to face gesture. The people of Rwanda have their own unique ethnic clothing, and their workplace attire is standardized. The daily diet mainly consists of bananas, potatoes, rice, and cassava.

Communications Power

Rwanda voltage 220V, using European standard power sockets.

The Internet penetration rate is low, the cost is high, and the network speed is 4G.

Rwandan mobile phones use GSM standard, while domestic mobile phones in China can use the same standard directly. The mobile phone penetration rate is high, with one-way charging and free answering. The dialing fee is not high.

At present, there are three mobile/network operators in Rwanda, MTN (078) and Airtel (073/072). Liquid Telecom is a landline operator.

Local mobile phones can directly dial the phone number, starting with 0 and consisting of ten digits. For example: 0787654321

The method of calling Rwanda from China is 00250+mobile phone number/landline number. For example, dialing a mobile phone: 00250+787654321, dialing a landline: 00250+252570845.

The method of calling China from Rwanda is 0086+mobile number/area code+landline number, with a cost of approximately 0.5 RMB per minute.

MTN phone numbers: 252586863, 280390000, 100.

AIRTEL phone number: 0731 000 0000733 100 100100.

contact information

Chinese Embassy in Rwanda website: http://rw.china-embassy.gov.cn/

Rwanda Immigration Bureau website: http://www.migration.gov.rw

Rwanda Development Agency website: http://www.rdb.rw/

Rwanda Government Network: http://www.gov.rw/

Rwanda Tax Authority website: http://www.rra.gov.rw/

Kigali City Government website: http://www.kigalicity.gov.rw/

Rwanda one-time entry visa online registration: http://www.migration.gov.rw/index.php?id=203