PassportSouth Africa

Rwanda: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans can get a visa on arrival in Rwanda. You can stay up to 30 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Free entry on arrival, no advance application. Citizens of African Union, Commonwealth and Francophonie member states (South Africa is in the AU and the Commonwealth) get a visa on arrival with the fee waived for a 30-day visit. Rwanda classes this as a visa waiver arrangement (free, single entry). In practice it works like visa-free entry: nothing to apply for or pay.123

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Visits and tourism. Work is not allowed on the waiver.2

Confirmed on an official government source

Passport validity

At least 6 months validity. UK advice adds at least one blank page.2810

Confirmed on an official government source

How to apply

No application needed: the free 30-day entry is granted at Kigali International Airport or a land border. You may also apply in advance on the official IremboGov platform (irembo.gov.rw). East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV): US$100, multiple entry within Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, valid 90 days, first entry must be into the issuing country; apply online, through a mission, or on arrival in the issuing country.123411

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

No application needed for a 30-day visit. For other visas apply on irembo.gov.rw. High Commission of Rwanda in Pretoria (ambapretoria@minaffet.gov.rw, +27 12 342 6536) offers visa services.413

Confirmed on an official government source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

Not published by official sources

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

Not published by official sources

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

RWANDA: A yellow fever certificate is mandatory for travellers coming from endemic countries or countries with active outbreaks (RBC). Flying direct from South Africa this does not apply, but it does if you arrive via a risk country such as Uganda or Kenya. The US Embassy recommends carrying proof anyway. EBOLA: Since 22 May 2026 foreign nationals who have been in or transited the DRC in the 30 days before arrival are denied entry; expect enhanced screening at Kigali airport. SOUTH AFRICA: Rwanda is on South Africa's yellow fever risk list. Everyone over 1 year old, South Africans included, returning to South Africa from Rwanda, or after an airport transit of more than 12 hours there, must show a valid yellow fever certificate on arrival in South Africa. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel; the certificate is valid for life.67101415

Confirmed on an official government source

Arrival forms

No passenger locator or COVID forms required (RBC). Drones must be declared on arrival.68

Confirmed on an official government source

Extending your stay and overstaying

The waiver may be extended in exceptional circumstances via IremboGov. Apply while still valid; there is a 5-day grace period after expiry, then late fees (RWF 50,000 for 6 to 15 days late, per IremboGov renewal guide). Note that IremboGov describes renewal mainly for residents.25

Confirmed on an official government source

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Not published by official sources

What changed

4 September 2026UK FCDO advises against all travel within 10 km of the DRC border in Rusizi District (including Lake Kivu islands and Kamembe Airport); notes vape and e-cigarette ban and Ebola border protocols.
17 June 2026Reported Rwanda-South Africa roadmap to restore visa access for Rwandans to South Africa (affects the SA side, staged to mid-2027). No change found for South Africans entering Rwanda.
22 May 2026Rwanda denies entry to foreign nationals who were in or transited the DRC in the previous 30 days (Ebola outbreak). Not confirmed lifted as of 2026-10-05; DRC outbreak still ongoing per ECDC.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, Rwanda migration.gov.rw
  2. 2Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, Rwanda migration.gov.rw
  3. 3Rwanda Development Board (Visit Rwanda) visitrwanda.com
  4. 4IremboGov (Government of Rwanda) support.irembo.gov.rw
  5. 5IremboGov (Government of Rwanda) support.irembo.gov.rw
  6. 6Rwanda Biomedical Centre rbc.gov.rw
  7. 7Ministry of Health, Rwanda moh.gov.rw
  8. 11Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, Uganda immigration.go.ug
  9. 13High Commission of Rwanda, Pretoria rwandainsouthafrica.gov.rw

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 8UK FCDO gov.uk
  2. 10US Department of State travel.state.gov
  3. 14DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) dirco.gov.za
  4. 15UK FCDO gov.uk

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.