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🇷🇺Russian Federation
🇷🇼RwandaRU-RW

Russian Federation to Rwanda visa requirements

Russian ordinary passport holders need a visa for Rwanda but can get it on arrival at Kigali International Airport and land borders. A single-entry 30-day tourist visa (V1 Holiday) costs USD 50, with no prior application required. Alternatively, the same visa can be obtained online as an eVisa via the official Irembo portal before travel. Rwanda has had an open visa regime since 1 January 2018: citizens of all countries that are not visa-exempt may obtain a visa on arrival without prior application. Russia is NOT on Rwanda's visa-free list for ordinary passports (only Russian diplomatic and service passport holders enjoy a 90-day visa-free arrangement). Therefore a Russian ORDINARY passport holder traveling for tourism is visa-required but is fully covered by the visa-on-arrival channel. The standard tourist product is the V1 Holiday visa: single entry, 30-day stay, USD 50; a multiple-entry version is USD 70 and valid 3 months. The identical visa can be applied for in advance online as an eVisa through the Government of Rwanda's Irembo platform (irembo.gov.rw), which is processed within about three working days. Visa-on-arrival is reliable and recommended for most short tourist visits; obtaining the eVisa beforehand is a sensible safeguard for travelers who want confirmation before departure or whose airline requires documentation at boarding. Fees are payable in USD by card or cash on arrival, or by card online. As of 2026 there is no visa-free entry for Russian tourists and no e-Travel-authorization (ETA) scheme replacing the visa.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa on arrival (also available as eVisa) - V1 Holiday/Tourist visa
Maximum stay
30 days
per entry
Entries
Single entry (multiple-entry option available)
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 50 (single entry); USD 70 (multiple entry)
consular fee only
Processing time
Issued on the spot at arrival; eVisa approx. 3 working days
standard track
Validity
Enter within validity window; 30-day stay from entry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your channel: arrival vs eVisa
Russian ordinary passport holders can simply arrive and obtain the visa at the airport or land border, or apply online in advance. Choose the eVisa if you want pre-approval before flying.
· VOA or eVisa· No invitation needed
/02
Check passport validity
Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of entry and has at least one blank page for stamps.
· 6 months validity· Blank page
/03
(Optional) Apply online via Irembo
For an eVisa, create an account at the official Government of Rwanda portal irembo.gov.rw, select the V1 Holiday/Tourist visa, complete the form and upload a passport bio-page scan and passport photo.
· irembo.gov.rw· Official portal
/04
Prepare supporting documents
Have proof of accommodation/hotel booking, a return or onward ticket, and proof of sufficient funds ready, whether arriving or applying online.
· Return ticket· Hotel booking
/05
Pay the visa fee
Pay USD 50 (single entry) or USD 70 (multiple entry) - by card or cash on arrival, or by card online for the eVisa.
· USD 50 single· Card or cash
/06
Arrive and clear immigration
Present your passport and (if applied online) the eVisa approval/entry facility notice at Kigali International Airport or a designated land border, receive your 30-day entry stamp.
· Kigali airport· 30-day stamp
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
Russian Federation -> Rwanda · Visa on arrival (also available as eVisa) - V1 Holiday/Tourist visa
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid 6+ months with a blank page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted visa-on-arrival form (or eVisa application)
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredVisa fee USD 50 / 70 (card or cash)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredReturn or onward flight ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of accommodation (hotel/host)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RecommendedProof of sufficient funds
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RecommendedRecent passport-size photo (for eVisa upload)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
recommended
RecommendedYellow fever certificate if arriving from an endemic country
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
OptionaleVisa approval printout (if applied online)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
optional
OptionalTravel/medical insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
optional
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
Official sourcesRwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration - Visa on ArrivalIremboGov - Rwandan Visas on Arrival (official portal)IremboGov - How to Apply for a Visa
Application link included: Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration - Visa on Arrival
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
V1 Holiday visa - single entryUSD 5030-day stay; on arrival or eVisa
V1 Holiday visa - multiple entryUSD 70Valid 3 months, multiple entries
East Africa Tourist Visa (V11)USD 100Optional; covers Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, 90 days
Transit visa (VT)USD 30Max 3 days transit only
Total estimateUSD 50 — USD 70incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa on arrival
Issued on the spot
No prior application; pay and receive a 30-day visa at Kigali airport or designated land borders.
eVisa via Irembo
Approx. 3 working days
Apply in advance at irembo.gov.rw for pre-approval before departure; recommended if you want confirmation or your airline requires it.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Open visa-on-arrival policy
Since 1 January 2018 Rwanda grants visa on arrival to citizens of all non-exempt countries without prior application.
High
/02
Russia not on the visa-free list
Russian ordinary passports are not among Rwanda's visa-exempt nationalities, so a paid visa is required (only diplomatic/service passports get 90 days visa-free).
High
/03
eVisa available as an alternative
The same tourist visa can be obtained online via Irembo for travelers who prefer pre-approval.
Medium
/04
Documentation requested at entry
Return ticket, accommodation and funds may be checked by immigration officers.
Medium
/05
Yellow fever requirement
A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from an endemic country.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
Russia to Rwanda route verified
Verified against the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration and the official Irembo portal: Russian ordinary passport holders are visa-required but eligible for visa on arrival (USD 50 single-entry, 30 days) or the equivalent eVisa. Russia is not in any ordinary-passport visa-free category.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Russian citizens need a visa for Rwanda?—
Yes. Russian ordinary passport holders are not visa-exempt, but they can obtain a visa on arrival or apply for an eVisa online beforehand. No prior approval is needed to fly if using visa on arrival.
How much does the Rwanda tourist visa cost for Russians?+
Can I get the visa on arrival at Kigali airport?+
How long can I stay?+
Should I get the eVisa or just use visa on arrival?+
What documents should I bring?+
/11 — Passport tools

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