Rwanda visa for US citizens: Everything you need to know

Have you considered Rwanda as your next holiday destination? There are so many unique things to do in Rwanda! For example, you can go on a famous gorilla trekking in Rwanda, or explore some of the wonderful cities in Rwanda.

Here you will discover all the important information you need before you travel to Rwanda from the US, including what visa types you can apply for, their costs and characteristics.

Is it necessary to get a Rwanda visa for US citizens?

Yes, it’s mandatory to get a Rwanda visa for US citizens, for which they are eligible to apply online.

There are three types of Rwanda visa for US citizens available online: 

• The single entry visa for tourism or a family visit. It’s valid for 30 days. 
• The East African visa: it allows for multiple entries to enter Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya with one visa. Rwanda has to be the first country you enter. Its validity is 90 days. 
• The transit visa. It’s only valid for 72 hours.

Requirements to apply for the Rwanda visa for US citizens

These are the general requirements to apply for the Rwanda visa for US citizens:

• Having a valid passport
• Having a bank card with sufficient funds to pay for the visa fees
• Providing a valid email address in which you can receive the approved visa

There are also certain specific requirements, which vary according to the type of visa for Rwanda you need:

• For the transit visa: you will need to show proof of your travel itinerary
• For the East African visa: a passport-sized, color photograph of the applicant

It’s worth noting that all travelers are obliged to purchase travel insurance Rwanda: it’s part of the mandatory Rwanda entry requirements.

What is the cost of the Rwanda visa for US citizens?

These are the costs of every type of Rwanda visa for US citizens:

• The single entry visa has a cost of 46 EUR
• The East African visa costs 92 EUR
• The transit visa has fees attached of 28 EUR

How long does it take to get a Rwanda visa for US citizens?

It’s advisable to send in the application for the Rwanda visa for US citizens approximately 15 days before traveling. Even though it usually takes around 3 to 5 days to be processed, it will leave you enough time to work around any unexpected issues.

Where is the Embassy of Rwanda in the United States?

The Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda is located in Washington D.C. 

Address: 1714 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009, United States

Telephone: (202)-232-2882

Email: [email protected] 

Website: Embassy of Rwanda in the USA 

Where is the Embassy of the USA in Rwanda?

The US Embassy in Rwanda is located in the city of Kigali.

Address: 30 KG 7 Avenue (Kacyiru)

Telephone: (250) 252 596 400

Fax: (250) 252 580 325

Website: US Embassy in Rwanda

What are the vaccine requirements for Rwanda for US citizens?

There are no mandatory vaccine requirements for Rwanda. However, the CDC has recommended that all travelers get the following vaccines:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Shingles
• Hepatitis A and B
• Rabies
• Typhoid

Foreign citizens that travel to Rwanda from an endemic country also need to get the vaccine against yellow fever. However, the US is not endemic for this disease, so you won’t be asked to show your vaccination certificate. 

What is the time difference between Rwanda and the US?

Rwanda is in Central Africa Time (UTC+2). To correctly establish the time difference with the US, you have to compare against the 6 different time zones in existence within the country:

• Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HAST): UTC-10 (12-hour difference)
• Alaska Standard Time (AST): UTC-9 (11-hour difference)
• Pacific Standard Time (PST): UTC-8 (10-hour difference)
• Mountain Standard Time (MST): UTC-7 (9-hour difference)
• Central Standard Time (CST): UTC-6 (8-hour difference)
• Eastern Standard Time (EST): UTC-5 (7-hour difference)

What is the currency of Rwanda and the exchange rate to USD?

The currency in use in Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc (RWF). The current exchange rate from USD to Rwandan Franc, and vice versa, is: 

• 1 USD = 1259,4 RWF
• 1 RWF = 0,0008 USD

How to travel to Rwanda from the US

There are no direct flights departing in the US for Rwanda. Luckily, you will be able to fly from many different cities with one or more layovers. It will take around 20 hours to get from one country to the other.