Visa Requirements
Do South African citizens need a visa for Rwanda?
Official Requirement
Visa-free
for South Africa citizens travelling to Rwanda
Citizens of African Union member states and certain other countries enjoy visa-free entry to Rwanda. No advance visa application is required and entry is granted upon arrival.
Checked 12 September 2026
We are not a government authority. Requirements change without notice. Always verify with the official consulate link before travel.
No visa needed for this trip
South Africa passport holders can enter Rwanda for short visits without a visa. Check that your passport stays valid for the whole stay, carry proof of onward travel, and confirm the current entry conditions on the official source before you fly.
Official Rwanda entry requirements →
Volcanoes National Park
The short answer
South African citizens do not need a visa to enter Rwanda for stays of up to 30 days. No visa is needed before travelling to Rwanda for a short tourist or business visit. The fee is citizens of member states of the African Union, the Commonwealth, and La Francophonie are granted a visa on arrival with the fee waived for a visit of 30 days. Where a fee is charged, the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration states it must not exceed USD 50 for a single entry visa or USD 70 for multiple entry (as of September 2026). Conditions: an entry visa may be applied for online through the Rwanda Government portal, at a diplomatic mission before departure, or on arrival. Payment can be made online or on arrival. Nationals of East African Community member states are given a pass or entry visa free of charge on arrival for a stay of six months. This was last checked on 12 September 2026.
At a glance
Key facts for South African citizens visiting Rwanda
- Requirement
- Visa-free
- Maximum stay
- Up to 30 days
- Fee
- Citizens of member states of the African Union, the Commonwealth, and La Francophonie are granted a visa on arrival with the fee waived for a visit of 30 days. Where a fee is charged, the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration states it must not exceed USD 50 for a single entry visa or USD 70 for multiple entry (as of September 2026).
- Conditions
- An entry visa may be applied for online through the Rwanda Government portal, at a diplomatic mission before departure, or on arrival. Payment can be made online or on arrival. Nationals of East African Community member states are given a pass or entry visa free of charge on arrival for a stay of six months.
- Official source
- Official source for this route →
Step by step
How South African citizens enter Rwanda
Apply online through the Rwanda Government portal, at a diplomatic mission before departure, or on arrival at the port of entry
Pay any applicable fee online or on arrival
Present your travel document at the port of entry, where the visa is issued
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Exercise Caution
UK FCDO: Rwanda-DRC border Risks associated with the proximity of potential fighting in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may affect people on the Rwandan side of the border. International borders are often not well marked in remote areas, and you could unknowingly cross into DRC. You may see a presence of military personnel on both sides of the border. See Democratic Republic of the Congo’s travel advice for more information. Keep up to date with developments through local media. The border crossings b
Updated 2025-12-18
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Questions
What South African citizens ask about entering Rwanda
No. South African citizens can enter Rwanda without a visa for a short tourist or business visit. This was last checked on 12 September 2026.
Up to 30 days on this entry route. A longer trip needs a different permission, which this page does not cover. A border officer decides the length granted on the day.
A passport valid for the trip, proof of onward or return travel, and proof of where you are staying. Officers can ask for evidence that you can support yourself for the visit. Entry is always the officer's decision, whatever the paperwork says.
Rwanda uses RWF. Check the rate before you exchange anything at the airport, where the spread is usually widest.
Changes to this route
No changes recorded since the first check on 12 September 2026.
Full change history for this route →