How to Apply for a Rwanda Visa in Denver

The biodiverse mountains and modern infrastructure of Rwanda have made the country one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in Africa.  From gorillas of the volcanic Virunga Mountains and the Great Rift Valley to the savannahs of Akagera and the African Great Lakes, “the land of a thousand hills” provides a variety of man-made and natural experiences for visitors from Denver.

The landlocked Republic of Rwanda in Eastern Africa was formed in 1962 after decades of German and Belgian rule.  Following civil unrest and war with neighboring Congo during the l990s, Rwanda evolved into one of the safest and most progressive nations in Africa.  The country of almost 13 million is composed of one cultural and linguistic group, the Banyarwanda, and the largest religion is Catholicism.  While the principal language is Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Swahili are also official languages.  However, Western languages are more commonly spoken in cities rather than rural villages.

The largest city in Rwanda, Kigali, is home to several of Rwanda's tallest buildings, most notably the 20-story Kigali City Tower.  The financial and cultural capital of Rwanda, the city hosts the headquarters of the country's largest banks and businesses; upscale hotels such as Serena, Marriott, and Radisson Blu; plentiful restaurants; and shopping districts.  Cultural sites include the Rwanda Art Museum (formerly the presidential palace), the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the colonial-era Kandt House Museum of Natural History.  “Kigali has the vibrancy of 21st Century Africa, where women in colorful kitenge dresses carry jugs on their head alongside zooming moto taxis and young people texting,” Sarah Hepola reported for Bloomberg.

Rwanda also offers several other cities and towns with their own unique treasurers.  On tranquil Lake Kivu, Karongi is a popular beach retreat while Rubavu is known for its red sand beaches and tropical vibe.  Musanze, located near Volcanoes National Park, buzzes with numerous dining choices, vibrant nightlife, markets, and artisanal trades.  Huye, founded during the early colonial era is an academic center and houses the Ethnographic Museum.  Nyanza is the home of King's Palace Museum, a reconstruction of the traditional thatched royal residence.  Kibeho has been a global Roman Catholics pilgrimage destination since the Virgin Mary appeared in 1981.

Centrally located Kigali remains the main entry point for Denver area tourists who frequent Rwanda’s natural attractions.  The top draw for global eco-tourists is the opportunity to see East Africa’s endangered mountain gorillas (subject of Dian Fossey’s decades-long research) in their rainforest habitat in the Virunga Mountains and Volcanos National Park.  Lions, giraffes, and rhinos roam free among the lakes and plains of Akagera National Park, while Nyungwe National Park -- one of the oldest rainforests in Africa -- boasts a dozen species of primates and a canopy walkway.  Gishwati Mukura, Rwanda’s fourth national park, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to chimpanzees, golden monkeys, blue monkeys, and more than 230 species of birds.  Other popular destinations include hiking and mountain biking the Congo Nile Trail; Lake Kivu’s sandy beaches, islands, resorts, and kayaking trails; and the Sabyinyo Hiking Trail.

Obtaining a Rwanda Visa from Denver

Citizens of the United States and most other countries are required to obtain a visa before entering Rwanda.  There is not currently a COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirement.  However, proof of yellow fever vaccination is also required if you are arriving from a country where that disease is prevalent.

The republic offers a number of visas for Denver area residents, including visitor, group tourist, business, and conference, as detailed at https://www.migration.gov.rw/visa/visitors-visa.  Most type of visas allow you to enter Rwanda at Kigali International Airport or through any land border.  Many visas can be extended once you arrive in the republic.

The main requirement to obtain a visa is that your U.S. passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry to Rwanda.  It must also contain at least one blank page.  If you cannot meet these two requirements, you will need to renew your passport before applying for the visa.

Rwanda offers four primary options for American tourists to obtain a visa:

  • Electronic visitor visa (e-Visa), obtained online;
  • Traditional paper visa issued in advance from the Rwandan embassy;
  • Traditional visa issued upon arrival; and
  • East Africa tourist visa, which allows you to visit Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.

 

Option One: Electronic Visa

The easiest option for visiting Rwanda is by obtaining an electronic (e-Visa) online before leaving your home country.  The e-Visa is available to citizens of more than 100 nations, including the United States and Canada.  The single-entry visa is good for visits lasting up to 30 days, and is valid for 30 days after issuance.

The e-visa application and instructions are available through the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration at https://irembo.gov.rw/home/citizen/all_services.  The application takes about 15 minutes to complete.  You will also need to provide:

  • A digital scan of the biographical page of your passport.
  • A digital passport-style photo.
  • A basic itinerary of your plans while in Rwanda.
  • Confirmed return flight.
  • Your email address.
  • Health Insurance. Although not required for the visa, we recommend purchasing international medical insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses while traveling in Rwanda.  International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒ Order Now.

It typically takes about three days for email notification of your e-Visa approval.  If you do not use the e-Visa within 30 days, the approval lapses and you will need to apply again.  The government recommends bringing a copy of their e-Visa approval with them to show the immigration official.  There current government fee for the visa is $50.

Option Two: Traditional Embassy Visa

You can also obtain a traditional visa stamp through the Rwandan embassy in Washington, D.C. (https://www.rwandainusa.gov.rw/services/service-details/visa-1usa).  You can submit your application in person, or by printing and mailing the completed form (available at https://www.rwandainusa.gov.rw/index.php?eID=dumpFile&t=f&f=105216&token=7a561cb3a8fb3e918c39dcc8d01ec1f183c7c270).  While the e-Visa is limited to a single entry visit lasting 30 days, the traditional visa is available for 30 days with a single entry ($50 fee) or for 90 days with multiple entries ($70).  Frequent visitors to Rwanda can also obtain a 10-year visa that allows stays of up to six months.

You will need to submit:

  • Completed application.
  • Your U.S. passport.
  • A passport-type photo.
  • Method of fee payment.
  • Proof of accommodations/return flight.
  • Pre-paid self-addressed traceable return envelope.

Processing time is typically three to five days, although you should allow up to 15 days to be on the safe side.

Option Three: Visa On Arrival

Another option is obtaining a 30-day visa on arrival (VOA).  You can only obtain VOA at Kigali International Airport – not at a land border crossing. The cost is $50 for a single-entry visa or $70 for multiple entries.  The same documentation requirements for the traditional visa apply to the VOA.

While the VOA may be necessary if you do not have enough advance notice to apply for an e-Visa or embassy-issued visa, it also presents the risk that you might be turned away at the border if your documentation is not adequate.  You may also encounter long waiting times and lines at the airport.  Also, “The U.S. Embassy recommends that travelers arrive at the Kigali International Airport with sufficient cash in U.S. dollars to pay for the visa, in case credit card transactions are not available at the time of your arrival,” according to the U.S. State Department’s website (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Rwanda.html).

Four: East African Tourist Visa

Denver area tourists who plan to visit Rwanda, Kenya, and/or Uganda also have another option: the East African Tourist Visa.  This special visa allows visitors to obtain one visa for $100 that allows you to move freely among all three countries multiple times.  The visa is valid for three months from the issue date.  You can apply online, through an embassy, and at the border.

All three countries offer portals to apply for the East African Tourist Visa from their respective immigration departments.  You will need to obtain the visa for the first country you will visit on your trip.  So, if your first stop if Rwanda, use https://www.migration.gov.rw/visa/visitors-visa; (Option 11 near bottom of page).  Once you clear immigrations in Rwanda, you can use the visa for Kenya and Uganda.

The basic requirements for the Rwandan application are:

  • Completed application.
  • Your U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond entry (copy of biodata page if applying online).
  • A passport-type photo.
  • Method of fee payment.
  • Full itinerary, including hotel or host names and addresses.
  • Return flight tickets.

 

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Denver or anywhere in the state of Colorado and have difficulty applying for a Rwanda visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Rwanda visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Rwanda.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following Rwanda visa services for our customers in Denver:

  • Rwanda Tourist Visa
  • Rwanda Business Visa
  • Rwanda Conference Visa
  • Rwanda Official (Diplomatic) Visa
  • Rwanda Crew Visa
  • East Africa Visa
  • Rwanda Hotel Accommodations