Rwanda is the base for a gorilla trekking trip through Volcanoes National Park, with most Americans flying into Kigali. US passport holders can get a visa on arrival or apply for an eVisa before departure, and either route allows a stay of up to 30 days. The fee is $50.
Applying for the eVisa ahead of time avoids the on-arrival queue at Kigali; paying $50 in cash at the counter works just as well if you’d rather skip the online form.
Rwanda entry at a glance
- Choose visa on arrival or eVisa; both allow a 30-day tourist stay.
- The standard single-entry tourist visa costs $50.
- The East Africa Tourist Visa is a separate option covering multiple countries.
- Have your passport and travel itinerary ready for the border check.
- Extensions are handled by Rwanda immigration, not at the arrival counter.
eVisa or visa on arrival: which to choose
For US travelers, the eVisa applied for before departure avoids the visa-on-arrival line at Kigali International Airport. Visa on arrival works the same way for the same $50 fee, so it comes down to whether you’d rather handle the paperwork before you fly or at the counter.
Travelers combining Rwanda with a wider East Africa itinerary should check the East Africa Tourist Visa, a separate multi-country option rather than the standard single-entry visa.
What to bring to the visa-on-arrival counter
- $50 in cash or via the eVisa payment – The standard single-entry tourist visa costs $50.
- Valid passport – Have your passport ready to present alongside your visa payment.
- Travel itinerary – Border officials may check your itinerary as part of processing your entry.
Staying longer than 30 days
The tourist visa covers 30 days. If you want to stay longer, Rwanda immigration handles extension requests directly rather than this being resolved at the border.
Rwanda entry at a glance
More for your Rwanda trip: Best time to visit · Packing list · Vaccinations · Travel insurance · Money and currency
Check your visa before you book
Confirm the current rules for your passport, then sort the rest of the trip.
Rwanda visa questions
1Should I get Rwanda’s eVisa before I fly or the visa on arrival?
Both cost $50 and allow the same 30-day stay. The eVisa avoids the on-arrival line at Kigali; visa on arrival is fine if you’d rather skip the online application.
2How much does a Rwanda tourist visa cost?
$50 for the standard single-entry tourist visa.
3How long can I stay in Rwanda on a tourist visa?
Up to 30 days.
4What is the East Africa Tourist Visa?
A separate visa option covering travel across multiple East African countries, distinct from Rwanda’s standard single-entry tourist visa.
5Can I extend my stay in Rwanda past 30 days?
Extensions are handled by Rwanda immigration directly rather than at the airport on arrival.
6What does the border officer check when I enter Rwanda?
Your passport validity and your travel itinerary, alongside your visa on arrival or eVisa approval.