Rwanda Visa for UK Citizens
British citizens can get a visa on arrival in Rwanda for $50, valid for 30 days with single entry. Rwanda welcomes all nationalities with visa on arrival, making entry straightforward. You can also apply for an e-Visa beforehand through irembo.gov.rw. The East Africa Tourist Visa ($100) is available for travelers planning to visit Uganda and Kenya alongside Rwanda, covering all three countries for 90 days. The UK has direct connections to Kigali through RwandAir from London Heathrow, making Rwanda one of the more accessible gorilla trekking destinations for British travelers. Yellow fever vaccination is required only if you arrive from or transit through an endemic country.
Visa At a Glance
- Visa Type
- Visa on Arrival
- Best Option
- Visa on arrival ($50) or East Africa Tourist Visa ($100)
- Cost
- $50
- Processing
- 0-0 days
- Validity
- 30 days
- Entries
- Single
E-Visa Application
RecommendedCost
$50
Processing
3-5 business days
Stay Permitted
30 days
Entries
Single
How to Apply for E-Visa
Go to irembo.gov.rw and create an account
Select 'Tourist Visa' or 'East Africa Tourist Visa'
Fill in the application form with travel and personal details
Upload a passport-size photo (JPEG, white background)
Upload passport bio page scan
Upload return or onward flight ticket
Upload proof of accommodation
Upload yellow fever certificate if arriving from an endemic country
Pay $50 (or $100 for East Africa Tourist Visa) online
Receive approval via email within 3-5 business days
Print the approval letter for immigration
Requirements
E-Visa Documents
- Valid British passport (6+ months validity beyond entry, 2 blank pages)
- Passport-size photo (digital, white background)
- Scanned passport bio page
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Proof of accommodation
- Yellow fever certificate (if arriving from endemic country)
- Proof of sufficient funds (may be requested)
At Immigration
What to Present
- •Valid British passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages)
- •Printed e-Visa approval letter (if applied in advance)
- •Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if arriving from endemic country)
- •Return or onward flight ticket
- •Proof of accommodation
- •$50 visa fee in cash or card
Tips
- •Kigali airport is modern and immigration is efficient
- •Have $50 USD ready or a card for payment
- •RwandAir flights from London arrive at convenient times for immigration
Typical processing time: 5-15 minutes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting a yellow fever certificate when connecting through Nairobi or Addis Ababa
- Bringing plastic bags into Rwanda (banned nationwide)
- Passport with fewer than 6 months validity
- Not realizing Rwanda's visa is only 30 days (compared to Kenya's 90 days)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for Rwanda?
Yes. British citizens need a visa, but Rwanda offers visa on arrival ($50) to all nationalities. You can also apply for an e-Visa in advance at irembo.gov.rw. No embassy visit is needed.
Is there a direct flight from the UK to Rwanda?
Yes. RwandAir operates direct flights from London Heathrow to Kigali, taking approximately 8.5 hours. This avoids transit through endemic yellow fever countries.
How long can British citizens stay in Rwanda?
The standard tourist visa allows 30 days. The East Africa Tourist Visa ($100) provides 90 days across Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine?
Only if arriving from or transiting through an endemic country. The direct RwandAir flight from London does not require it, but vaccination is still recommended.
Can I use British pounds to pay for the visa on arrival?
The visa fee is quoted in USD ($50). At Kigali airport you can pay in USD cash or by card. Carry US dollars for the smoothest transaction.