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Please refer to this page to seek answers to your VISA and PASSPORT related questions: CONTENT: I. GETTING A VISA11. I am flying into Rwanda but I will be transiting to a neighboring country. Do I need a transit visa? II. APPLY FOR NEW/RENEW PASSPORT (Rwandan Citizens)4. Can I authorize someone to pick-up my passport on my behalf from the immigration office in Kigali? ____________________________________________________________________________________________ I. GETTING A VISA1. Can I apply for a visa online, send in my application or come to the embassy in person to apply? You can apply in person at the embassy. You could also send in your visa application to the embassy. Online applications are only found and issued at the immigration website. For more information visit www.migration.gov.rw. 2. How long does it take to process a visa? The turn around time for visa processing is four (4) to eight (8) business days. We also offer an expedited service (rush) for Three (3) days with extra $30 on top of the regular visa charge. In some cases though, it might take longer than the mentioned days depending on the nature of the applicant’s case. 3. I am a permanent resident in USA; do I still need a visa to go to Rwanda? Yes. The list of countries that are exempted from Rwandan visas is on the embassy website. If your country does not appear on that list, then it means that you have to have a visa to enter Rwanda. We advise that you apply and obtain a visa ahead of time to avoid any inconveniences. 4. Will I need a visa to go to Rwanda even though my country appears on the list of those exempted from Rwandan visa and I am a "Green card" and "US travel document (Refugee/Asylee)" holder. Yes. You need a visa to go to Rwanda. The exemption privilege only benefits those applicants in possession of passports from the countries on the list. 5. I am a USA citizen going to Rwanda for over 90 days. How can I get an extended visa to live and work in Rwanda? USA is on the list of visa exempted nations. USA citizens therefore, don't need a visa to enter Rwanda. However, if you intend o extend your stay over 3 months, the law requires that you apply for a temporally pass/permit for the period that you will be in the country. It should be done within the first 15 days of arrival into Rwanda. Applications are submitted in person at the immigration office in Kigali the Capital city; located in KACYIRU right across from the US embassy. For details on passes and permits go to www.migration.gov.rw/permits 6. Can I obtain a visa on arrival at the airport in Kigali? No. You are required to obtain a visa of your choice at the embassy ahead of time before you travel to Rwanda. If your air ticket shows Rwanda as the last destination, you will not be allowed to board the plane without a valid Rwandan visa. It’s a rule applied to all visitors who go to Rwanda from countries where we have embassies and/or high commissioners. 7. How much do I pay for a Rwandan visa? We charge different fees on different visas. To get the fee for your choice of visa, carefully read the categories bellow: • Tourism visa $50.00 for individual persons visiting Rwanda. It shall be valid up to 3 months 8. How can I pay for a Rwandan visa? Who do I make the Check/money order to? Can I pay for rush/expedited visa service? The embassy only accepts money orders, Cashier checks and bank drafts for now, for all services rendered. And all payments must be made to the embassy of Rwanda. We offer an expedited/rush service to our clients who wish to travel to Rwanda but don't have much time to wait for the regular visa processing time. 9. Is there any embassy/consulate in the region/state where I live? The embassy of Rwanda in Washington DC is the only one that provides consular services in the whole of United States, Mexico and South America. Rwandan permanent mission in New York does not issue visa, passports or any other consular services. It only deals with UN issues. 10. I live in New York; can I obtain a visa at the Rwandan permanent mission in New York? No. Your visa application must be submitted to the embassy in Washington DC. 11. I am flying into Rwanda but I will be transiting to a neighboring country. Do I need a transit visa? If yes how much do I have to pay? It depends on the nature of your travel. If your ticket shows Rwanda as the last destination, then you need a visa. If you transit through Rwanda by changing planes only, then you do not need a visa. Passengers who fly into Rwanda, travel to neighboring nations and come back to fly out of Rwanda, have to apply for a multiple visa. Those who fly into Rwanda and go to other countries and do not come back to fly out from Rwanda, can apply for single entry transit visa. For detailed information on visa fees visit www.migration.gov.rw. 12. Are there some cultural values or customs that I need to know before I travel to Rwanda? Info Not available 13. I am going to work in Rwanda and I intend to travel with my PET (dog, cat, Birds etc). What are the rules and regulations/requirements for bringing animals into Rwanda? Info Not available II. APPLY FOR NEW/RENEW PASSPORT (Rwandan Citizens)1. Who is eligible to apply for a Rwandan Passport? All Rwandan citizens by either birth or naturalization are eligible to apply for a Rwandan passport. For detailed information on eligibility please visit www.migration.gov.rw 2. How much do I pay for a Rwandan passport? Rwandan passport costs $100. Payment must be in money order, bank draft or cashier check. It should be made to the embassy of Rwanda. Replacement of a lost passport costs more. A fine fee of $50 is charged on top of the regular fee. 3. How long does it take to get my passport back? Under normal circumstances, processing time is two (2) to three (3) months. Sometimes it takes longer, depending on case by case status. It could be lack of some vital data or incomplete files pending additional documentation. In such cases, if applicants are not contacted by the embassy or immigration, have the right to inquire about the status of their application either throughthe embassy or immigration office. 4. Can I authorize someone to pick-up my passport on my behalf from the immigration office in Kigali? Yes. But you have to follow the proper procedure by writing a letter of proxy (powers of attorney) and have it authenticated by the embassy before sending it to your representative; See document requirements for details. 5. Am I eligible for applying a Rwandan passport if I have citizenship of another country? Constitutionally, Rwanda accepts dual citizenship. Therefore, you have legal right to a Rwandan passport; as long as you qualify as Rwandan national. FYI check out www.migration.gov.rw |
