Rwanda Visa for US Citizens - Requirements and Fees

If US citizens are questioning whether they need a visa for Rwanda, then the answer is YES. In 2018, the Rwanda government made an e-visa digital system available for more than 100 countries to apply for an e-visa online and receive it in a matter of days. The United States is one of the eligible countries for being granted an e-visa through the online system. As a result, citizens of the US must own a valid visa in order to enter Rwanda easily.

Previously, US citizens would schedule an in-person interview with embassies or consulates and waste a lot of time waiting in a long line. The price is also costly when they have to find the nearest country which has the Rwanda Embassy. However, there is one Rwanda Embassy right in the US nation. Nowadays, there are no worries because all travelers from the US can apply for an e-visa totally online at Rwanda Immigration Services in just a few minutes.

Once US citizens apply for an e-visa, the result will be sent to their email. Remember to print it out before going to the airport. The border control will accept the paper document only and reject the digital one. At the moment, there are 2 specific airports that accept e-visa at Rwanda are Kamembe and Kigali International Airport. The US can choose 1 in 2 airports to enter Rwanda using e-visa.

Service fees and government fees are included in the cost of the Rwanda e-visa for US nationals.

• The government's e-visa charge for Rwanda: The entire sum that the applicant must pay to the Rwanda Immigration Department in order for their electronic visa to be processed is known as the Rwanda e-visa government fee. Because America is not on the Rwanda e-list visa's of exempt countries, travelers from that country must pay this cost. One thing to remember is that the government fees can not be refunded once US citizens send a request. This cost may range from 90$ to 150$ depending on which types of visa that US travelers apply for.
• The service fees: This fee is depending on the time to process the e-visa.

There are 3 processing time frame for US travelers provided by Rwanda Immigration Services:

• Normal: This is the cheapest option for those who want to obtain an e-visa within 3 working days.
• Urgent: This option may cost higher for those who want to get an e-visa within 2 working days.
• Super Urgent: Just only within 24 hours, US travelers can receive an e-visa. As might be expected, the cost will be expensive but it is very helpful when emergency situations occur.

The length of the stay in Rwanda depends on which types of e-visa US travelers register. Citizens of the US nation can enter Rwanda with the reasons of tourism, visit friends or relatives, conference and transit. Generally, there are 4 main types of e-visa that meet the demand of US travelers:

• Tourist e-visa: This visa allows US citizens to stay in Rwanda for 30 days from the date of issuance. With this type of visa, travelers can meet their loved one and witness the beautiful landscapes of Rwanda.
• Conference e-visa: US travelers can apply for conference e-visa for engaging in an international conference, meetings within a maximum of 30 days from the date of arrival.
• Transit e-visa: This type of visa gives US travelers permission to stay in Rwanda for 3 days with the condition that their final destination is not Rwanda. However, you can visit this country within 3 days to explore the vibrant culture and significant cuisine.
• East Africa e-visa: US citizens can use this type of visa to travel between 3 countries Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda in one trip. It will help travelers eliminate the step that they have to apply 3 times for each country. The duration of this stay is up to 90 days in total.

The answer is NO. US citizens can only apply for an e-visa for short-term business trips. As mentioned before, conference e-visa is the most suitable for US citizens who want to take part in business activities such as a conference, meetings, discussions that take place in Rwanda. This type of visa is valid for 3 months after being issued. During this time, US nationals can enter and engage in business once only for 30 days before your visa expires.

In order to obtain Rwanda e-visa , Rwanda Immigration Services provide a fast and easy-to-use online portal to US travelers can access and apply by following 3 simple steps:

• On the first step, the application online forms must be done with exact passport and personal information by US citizens.
• On the second step, US nationals are required to choose the payment method and pay for e-visa fees on a secure platform. Please note that to check your information twice to ensure that all your information is correct before making a payment.
• On the final step, US citizens will receive the electronic visa as a file PDF. Remember to print out at least 1 copy of the document before going to the border control at the airport.

Certainly, Rwanda is considered safe for American tourists. The country has made substantial progress in enhancing safety and security, providing visitors with a welcoming and protected environment. Rwanda boasts a low crime rate, including minimal violent crimes against tourists. The government and local authorities prioritize the safety and well-being of tourists, implementing measures to ensure their security.

Rwanda's political stability has contributed significantly to its reputation as a safe destination. Following the tragic events of 1994, Rwanda has undergone remarkable progress and is now known for its peaceful atmosphere. Rwanda has established a dedicated tourist police force to ensure visitor safety and offer assistance.

Tourists can confidently explore Rwanda's captivating attractions, whether trekking to see endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, experiencing the vibrant culture of Kigali, or enjoying the stunning landscapes of Nyungwe Forest. Safety measures are in place to protect visitors, including carefully regulated activities like gorilla trekking, where trained park rangers accompany trekkers for a secure and controlled experience.

While adhering to general safety precautions such as staying aware of their surroundings and safeguarding personal belongings, American tourists can anticipate a secure and fulfilling journey in Rwanda. By respecting local customs, staying informed about travel advisories, and registering with the U.S. Embassy, American tourists can fully immerse themselves in Rwanda's rich cultural heritage and natural wonders.

Once you apply for Rwanda e-visa, you must pay the Rwanda government charge and service charge. Therein, the government charge can not be refunded once applied. The service fee can vary depending on the type of e-visa and the process time to obtain an e-visa that U.S nationals want to choose. In case U.S travelers want to receive Rwanda e-visa sooner, they must pay a much higher fee when applying for an e-visa.

At Rwanda Immigration Services, after choosing and double checking the information in application form, we are recommending U.S visitors make payment by electronic payment method such as credit card/ debit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express or Paypal) and wire transfer to the Bank of Cyprus. All payments that are mentioned can be acceptable, others that are not in the lists are not acceptable.

All your payment process will be protected on a secure website using a firewall to prevent all information such as U.S’ personal information and card number to be leaked out for any nefarious purposes. Moreover, all your information will be encrypted then sent to us. So do not worry about whether your information might be leaked or not because we are taking precautions from being lost, missed use and unauthorized access.