Rwanda Visa Information

Passport/Visa

	Passport Required?	Visa Required?	Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Other EU	Yes	Yes/1	Yes

Passports
Passports valid for at least six months required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above except transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Note: (a) 1. Nationals of Canada, Germany, Sweden, UK and USA can receive a visa free of charge upon arrival for stays of up to three months. (b) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).

Types of Visa and Cost
Single-entry/Multiple-entry: £50.

Validity
Three months.

Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see General Info.

Working Days Required
24 hours.

Warning
It is advised against all but essential travel to the rural border areas with Burundi and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), except to the towns of Gisenyi, Kibuye and Cyangugu. This is because of the risk of cross-border incursions by armed guerrillas operating from both countries.

Travelers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health

	Special Precautions	Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever	Yes	1
Cholera	Yes	2
Typhoid and Polio	3	N/A
Malaria	4	N/A

Health Care
Medical facilities are severely limited and extremely overburdened. Almost all medical facilities in Kigali were destroyed during the civil war, but the situation is now improving and most hospitals function to an acceptable level. However, medical insurance, including cover for emergency repatriation, is essential. Visitors are advised to bring their own personal medication.

Note
Note
There is a constant danger of disease, owing to the lack of sanitation. In early January 2006, there was an outbreak of cholera in Masaka, a suburb on the outskirts of Kigali. Seventeen people were reported to have died and 150 were hospitalised. The risk of epidemics is high.

1
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over one year of age.

2
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Rwanda. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Customs officials may demand to see some proof of immunization. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness.

3
Typhoid is a risk, especially in rural areas.

4
Malaria risk exists all year throughout the country. The predominant, malignant falciparum strain is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine and resistant to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine.



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