High commission
High commission of South Africa in Rwanda
1370 Boulevard de l'Umuganda
Rwanda visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens do not need a visa for Rwanda. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 30 days.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
RWA
Rwanda
No visa needed
Just show your passport at the border.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 30 days
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in Rwanda.
Ways into Rwanda
Choose a holiday visa or a free entry option.
Visa on arrival For your passport30-day free arrival visaA free single-entry visa for people covered by nationality fee waivers.
- Stay
- 30 days
- Valid for
- 30 days
- Fee
- Free
- Processing
- 0 days
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Show your passport at Kigali airport or a land border.
- Ask for the free visitor visa.
Documents required
- Travel document valid 6 months
- Passport valid 6 months
- You must still complete border checks.
- Check whether you qualify for a longer free stay.
eVisaOnline visa applicationUse IremboGov to apply before travel for an available visitor or transit visa.
- Fee
- Fee depends on your chosen visa
- Processing
- 4 days
How to apply
- Open Visa application on IremboGov.
- Choose your visa and enter your details.
- Upload the requested files.
- Review, submit and pay if needed.
- Check your application status updates.
Documents required
- Passport details page: PDF, maximum 500KB
- White-background photo: JPG, maximum 500KB
- Application letter: PDF, maximum 500KB
- Requested certificates: PDF, maximum 500KB
- Give a working phone number and email; an account is optional.
- Your chosen visa sets the stay, validity, entries and fee.
eVisaEast Africa tourist visaOne tourist visa covers Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda for 90 days.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Valid for
- 90 days
- Fee
- US$100
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Apply through the country you will enter first.
- For Rwanda, open Visa application on IremboGov.
- Choose V11 East Africa Visa.
- Complete the form and provide requested documents.
Documents required
- Passport valid 6 months
- Other requested supporting documents
- You can also apply on arrival or through an embassy.
- You cannot work with this visa.
eVisaGroup tourist visaA shared tourist visa for groups of 4 to 10 people.
- Stay
- 30 days
- Valid for
- 30 days
- Fee
- US$150
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Check your group size with immigration.
- Apply online or through an embassy.
- Get advance approval to collect it at the border.
Documents required
- Travel documents valid 6 months
- Advance approval for border collection
- Passport valid 6 months
- Irembo lists up to 15 people; check because the group limits differ.
- You cannot work or change your visa type.
Visa on arrivalSingle-entry holiday visaA visa for one holiday visit of 30 days.
- Stay
- 30 days
- Valid for
- 30 days
- Fee
- US$50
- Processing
- 0 days
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Show your passport at the border.
- Ask for the holiday visa.
- Pay the fee if needed.
Documents required
- Passport valid 6 months
- Proof of funds, if requested
- You can also apply online or through an embassy.
- You cannot work with this visa.
Visa on arrivalMultiple-entry holiday visaA holiday visa for several entries within 90 days.
- Valid for
- 90 days
- Fee
- US$70
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Ask for the multiple-entry holiday visa.
- Show your passport.
- Check any fee waiver before paying.
Documents required
- Passport valid 6 months
- The guide gives no separate stay limit for each visit.
- You can also apply online or through an embassy.
Visa requiredEmbassy holiday visaA holiday visa with single-entry and multiple-entry choices.
- Stay
- 30–90 days
- Processing
- 7 days
How to apply
- Check the local application instructions.
- Prepare and submit your application.
Official pageDocuments required
- Passport valid 6 months
- Return ticket
- Hotel booking
- A vaccination certificate may be required depending on health advisories; no vaccine is specified on this page. vaccine
Sources (20)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration — General visa information
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration — Visitor visa classes
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration — Transit visas
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration — Rwanda’s new visa regime
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration — Study and research permits
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration — Employment permits
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration — General residence-permit information
- IremboGov — Official visa application portal; JavaScript required
- IremboGov — Official permit application portal; JavaScript required
- IremboGov — How to apply for a visa; updated 27 August 2026
- IremboGov — Visa application questions; updated 8 June 2022
- IremboGov — Rwandan visas on arrival; updated 17 December 2024
- Embassy of Rwanda, Washington — Visa applications, fees and V12 eligibility
- Rwanda High Commission, London — Visa applications and exemptions
- Rwanda High Commission, India — Visa service; directs applicants to immigration
- Embassy of Rwanda, Switzerland — Visa information
- Embassy of Rwanda, Netherlands — East African Tourist Visa
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation — Consular questions and embassy guidance
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation — Protocol handbook, visa requirements
- Official Rwanda aeronautical information publication — GEN 1.3 entry and transit rules
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs C E GAdapter for some
- MoneyRWF Fr
- TimeSame timeSame as home
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageEnglishSpoken at home too
- Emergency112 police912 ambulance
Planning your Rwanda trip
- Akagera National ParkSee wildlife in a savannah landscape.
- Kigali Genocide MemorialVisit a memorial to the genocide.
- Lake KivuExplore lakeside towns with accommodation at different budget levels.
- Kimironko MarketBrowse crafts, fresh produce, clothing and household goods in Kigali.
Scams to watch for in Rwanda
- PickpocketingSomeone takes a wallet or other belongings without you noticing. Crowds and the area outside nightlife venues need extra attention.
- Inflated prices from tradersA trader asks more than a fair price. Some storekeepers may try to charge double what you would expect. Bargaining is normal outside supermarkets and restaurants, so an opening offer is not automatically fraud.
About Rwanda
Rwanda is a landlocked republic in the African Great Lakes region, bordering Uganda and the Congo.
- Capital
- Kigali
- Money
- Rwandan franc (Fr)
- Languages
- English, French, Kinyarwanda
- Time zone
- UTC+02:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +250
Other Africa passports
Going to Rwanda
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Rwanda with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Rwanda?
South African citizens do not need a visa for Rwanda. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 30 days.
How long can south african citizens stay in Rwanda?
Up to 30 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do rwandan citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Rwandan citizens need a visa for South Africa, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Rwanda?
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana Burkina Faso, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Rwanda are easier for south african citizens?
Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique Réunion, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Rwanda?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in Rwanda?
Rwandan franc (Fr). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Rwanda?
English, French and Kinyarwanda.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck