PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Rwanda

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans can get a visa on arrival in Rwanda.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 30 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

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

  • Passport validity

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Arrival forms

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

  • 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.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, Rwanda (Official, migration.gov.rw) https://www.migration.gov.rw/our-services/visa-issued-under-special-arrangement
  2. 2. Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, Rwanda (Official, migration.gov.rw) https://www.migration.gov.rw/visa/visitors-visa
  3. 3. Rwanda Development Board (Visit Rwanda) (Official, visitrwanda.com) https://visitrwanda.com/facts/immigration-visas/
  4. 4. IremboGov (Government of Rwanda) (Official, support.irembo.gov.rw) https://support.irembo.gov.rw/en/support/solutions/articles/47001155415-how-to-apply-for-a-visa-on-irembogov
  5. 5. IremboGov (Government of Rwanda) (Official, support.irembo.gov.rw) https://support.irembo.gov.rw/en/support/solutions/articles/47001155417-how-to-apply-for-a-visa-renewal
  6. 6. Rwanda Biomedical Centre (Official, rbc.gov.rw) https://rbc.gov.rw/info-note-for-travelers/
  7. 7. Ministry of Health, Rwanda (Official, moh.gov.rw) https://www.moh.gov.rw/news-detail/notice-on-enhanced-ebola-prevention-measures
  8. 8. Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, Uganda (Official, immigration.go.ug) https://www.immigration.go.ug/services/east-african-tourist-visa
  9. 9. High Commission of Rwanda, Pretoria (Official, rwandainsouthafrica.gov.rw) https://www.rwandainsouthafrica.gov.rw/services
  10. 10. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/rwanda/entry-requirements
  11. 11. US Department of State (Other government, travel.state.gov) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Rwanda.html
  12. 12. DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) (Other government, dirco.gov.za) https://dirco.gov.za/canberra/yellow-fever/
  13. 13. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/rwanda/health

From doineedavisa.co.za/rwanda. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.