Rwanda Visa from Switzerland - Requirements and Fees

Rwanda, often referred to as the “land of a thousand hills” (translated from the French “Pays des Mille Collines”), is a rising star in the travel world. Known for its lush landscapes and strong commitment to environmental conservation, Rwanda boasts volcanoes, jungles home to one-third of the world’s remaining gorillas, and Africa’s largest rainforest.

If you’re a Swiss citizen planning to visit Rwanda, you’ll need to apply for a Rwanda Visa. Fortunately, the process is quick and easy, and you can complete it online without needing to visit the Rwandan embassy.

This article provides valuable information for Swiss visitors on how to apply for a Rwanda electronic visa, including the requirements, fees, and step-by-step application process.

1.  Rwanda e-visa for Swiss citizens

The Rwanda e-Visa (also known as the Rwanda Entry e-Visa) is an official travel document required for certain foreigners wishing to enter Rwanda. Because it is processed electronically, it is easier to obtain than a paper visa.

Do Swiss citizens need a visa for Rwanda?

Yes, Swiss citizens need a visa to visit Rwanda, as the Switzerland is not on Rwanda visa-exempt list.

Thanks to the Rwanda e-visa, citizens of more than 200 countries, including Switzerland, are eligible to obtain a Rwanda tourist visa through the e-Visa application form.

The Rwanda visa has a maximum validity period of 03 months from the date of entry. It also allows for a single entry into Rwanda.

Rwanda e-visa for Swiss citizens can be used for tourism, leisure, and visiting family in the country. It is also possible to obtain a Rwanda e-Visa for transit purposes.

For purposes other than tourism, business, or transit, foreign citizens are required to contact the Rwanda embassy in Switzerland

What are the different types of Rwanda visas for Swiss citizens?

Swiss nationals are eligible citizens and can enter Rwanda with one of the following types of electronic visas:

• Rwanda e-Tourist Visa: this visa is a single-entry visa and allows travelers to enter the country once with a validity of 3 months from the date of your arrival. With this type of visa, Swiss nationals can stay in the country for 30 days from the arrival date.

• Rwanda Conference Visa: If you want to attend or speak at a conference in Rwanda, this travel document is available. The Rwanda Conference E-Visa allows you to stay in Rwanda for up to 30 days from the date of your arrival and a Single Entry allowance into Rwanda.

• Rwanda Transit Visa: A transit visa can only be obtained if the traveler intends to stay in Rwanda for no more than three days, which means this e-visa allows you to stay in Rwanda for up to 72 hours.

• Rwanda East Africa Visa: Allows for Multiple Entry for tourists to the Republic of Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. This visa is valid for 90 days from the date of entry, and once you use this e-visa to enter Rwanda, you can stay in those 3 countries within 90 days.

2. Rwanda visa requirements for Swiss citizens

Before applying for a Rwanda visa, we recommend reading through the Rwanda visa requirements for Swiss citizens. Here are the conditions Swiss citizens must meet to travel abroad. The most important requirements they must meet for the Rwanda Electronic Travel Authorization are the following:

What Rwanda visa documents are required for Swiss citizens?

• Valid Swiss passport: In this case, a passport from an eligible country, Switzerland. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Rwanda. It must have at least two blank pages for any stamps received at the border.

• Digital Photo: One recent passport-sized digital photo, in either JPG or PNG format. The photo should be colored with a white background. The photo should have been taken no more than 06 months prior to the date of application.

• A digital scan of the biographical page of their Swiss passport.

• A valid and active email address for responding to visa-related inquiries (if any), as well as the approved e-Visa.

In addition, applicants are asked to provide information about their travel plans, including the accommodation address and travel dates. Because the application is done online, Swiss citizens must also have access to a high-speed internet connection. At any time and from any location in the world, Swiss travelers can apply for a visa using a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Although one person can fill out the information for other family members, each traveler, including minors, must complete an individual application form. Furthermore, the e-visa is linked to the applicant's passport number, and the applicant must travel to Rwanda with the same passport used for the application.

3. Applying for a Rwanda visa from Switzerland

Candidates can apply for an e-visa to Rwanda once they are certain that they meet all the Rwanda visa requirements for Swiss citizens. Obtaining a Rwanda e-Visa for Swiss citizens is a quick and easy process that only takes a few minutes. Candidates from Switzerland can simply access the Rwanda e-Visa application form online.

Swiss nationals can apply a Rwanda visa online in three simple steps.

Many Rwanda e-Visa applications from Switzerland are processed in 3 business days. When a Swiss citizen is granted a Rwanda e-Visa, a digital copy of the travel document is emailed to the applicant.

The Rwanda online visa will be valid for three months from the arrival date. If the Swiss visitor wishes to extend their stay in Rwanda, they may be able to do so by applying for a Rwandan visa extension

How to visit Rwanda from Switzerland?

The Rwanda e-Visa grants Switzerland passport holders entry into the country by land or air, though not by sea. Swiss travelers can enter Rwanda through a few approved ports of entry using their Rwanda eVisa. It is most popular to enter through Kigali International Airport, although it can be used at any land border crossing point as well. Travelers from Switzerland must present a printed copy of their Rwanda e-Visa along with their Swiss passport to gain entry into the country. Border officials may require this information upon entry.

4. Processing time and cost of Rwanda visa for Swiss citizens

During the application process, you will be required to cover the cost of your Rwanda visa. More specifically, during the second step of the application form, you will be asked to enter your payment information. Once the payment has been made, you can continue with the process. The bottom line is that, in our opinion, the Rwanda visa fee is more than reasonable, but you are free to make your own decision.

To apply for a Rwanda visa, you have to pay two (02) kinds of Rwanda Visa Fees, including the service fee and the government fee.

For the government and admin fee, you will be asked to add this fee to your cart since Switzerland is currently not on the exemption list of Rwanda.

What is the Rwanda visa processing time for Swiss citizens?

• Normal: Your e-visa will arrive within 3 business days if you use this type of service.

• Urgent: This is a higher state of service that can help you get your e-visa within 48 hours.

• Super urgent: This is the highest priority you can get. With this type of service, you will receive your e-visa within 24 hours.

Payment: when completing your documents and choosing what type of service suits you the best, you can proceed to pay for your total fee. There are electronic payments (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Paypal) and wire transfers through HSBC Bank for you to choose from.

Besides, we also provide other service packages to help customers have a good trip to Rwanda, such as Rwanda travel insurance, e-sim card in Rwanda, and car pick-up services in Rwanda