Rwanda business visa application, requirements, price, and processing time
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Any foreign national from a non-visa-exempt country planning to travel to Rwanda on business must do so with a Rwanda business visa. Rwandan business visas are available to eligible applicants looking to visit the East African country on business. In this post, we review the business visa application process in detail so you will have a clear idea about what is required and how to apply for it. Keep reading to learn more.
Rwanda – East Africa
Rwanda is an East African country with a long history of the conflict that lasted decades. However, with the introduction of democracy and the transition to civil rule, the country has witnessed a resurgence. Rwanda has grown in leaps and bounds over the years and is one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa and the world. One of the chief drivers of the economy is tourism. The tourist industry is a major revenue earner due to the influx of tourists who visit the country to enjoy breathtaking views and the rich wildlife in the heavily forested regions of the country.
Another industry that has done quite well is the services industry, with a tech hub emerging in Kigali's capital. The government has introduced different visa programs to boost the economy and attract foreign direct investment, including business visas for business persons, investors, and professionals.
Rwanda Business Visa
The business visa is a travel permit issued to visitors in Rwanda for business-related activities. The visa is a short-term visa for those coming for business meetings, seminars, conferences, contract negotiations, etc. You can also visit Rwanda to establish a new business, invest in certain sectors of the economy, or to even negotiate contracts. The flexibility of this visa makes it the perfect visa for business and non-business-related activities.
It is important to point out at this juncture that the business visa is not a work visa, so you can't engage in any activity that will earn you direct income, as that will be illegal. You must visit the embassy to apply for a work visa to work in Rwanda.
In addition, you do not qualify for a residency permit under business visa regulations unless you apply for a residency visa.
Who Needs A Business Visa?
The Rwandan business visa is not for everyone, so bear this in mind. You only need a business visa if you are not from a visa-exempt country. The Rwandan government has a visa-free list compromising countries whose citizens do not require visas to enter and stay in the country for a short time. You need a business visa if your country is not on the visa-exempt list.
Rwanda Business Visa Application Requirements
Here are the visa requirements for this business visa.
Application Form: You will need an application form duly completed and signed by you. The form must contain your personal information as they appear on your passport and other travel document. Ensure that your details are accurate and without errors; otherwise, they will be rejected.
Passport: You need a valid passport that has a minimum of six months' validity. The passport must be in your name and have at least one empty page for immigration stamps.
Photograph: Two passport-sized photographs in a white background taken recently. The photos should show your face clearly, including your forehead and full facial features. Avoid glasses or head Gear that will distort your image.
Visa Fee: The visa fee must be paid for document processing.
Fees may be paid via bank transfers or credit or debit cards.
Health Insurance: A valid health insurance certificate to cover international trips for medical emergencies.
Financial Proof: Three months' bank statement of account to prove that you have the financial capacity to cover your bills during your stay in Rwanda.
How To Apply For A Rwanda Business Visa
The government of Rwanda has made it easier for applicants to apply for business visas via two options.
Embassy: One option is to visit your country's Rwandan embassy or consulate to book an appointment. An interview date will be set for you, which you must attend with original and photocopies of your documents as updated above. After the interview, you will be updated regarding the process and invited to collect your visa and passport once it is ready.
The other option is to apply for the visa online, however, note that not all applicants may apply online using this option. Those who are eligible may visit VisaHQ to complete the process in a few steps
Log onto VisaHQ
Select Rwanda as your destination
Select your country of citizenship
Choose a business visa as your option
Fill out the application form
Upload your documents
Pay the visa fees
Submit for approval
The Rwanda business visa will be sent to your registered email within 48 hours or less.
Rwanda Visa Policy
The Republic of Rwanda is a sovereign nation and a member of the East African Community with an expansive visa policy that covers the requirement, eligibility, and duration of stay for foreign nationals who wish to visit the country. All foreigners coming to Rwanda must obtain a visa before they will be granted access unless they are from any of the approved countries on the visa waiver list. Visas are issued in three ways; through any of Rwanda’s foreign missions, visa on arrival, or online.
All visitors are advised to hold valid passports for at least six months, and the passport must contain at least a blank page. However, Ugandans and Kenyans may enter using a valid ID card if they don’t have passports.
Rwanda Visa Exemption
Citizens of selected countries who qualify for visa exemptions may enter Rwanda without paying fees, and they can stay in the country for different durations depending on their nationality. The length of stay ranges from 90 days to 180 days.
Visa On Arrival
Under the country’s visa policy is a special visa on-arrival class for eligible visitors. This program is open to Southern and Eastern African citizens, including a few other non-African countries. These nationals who do not qualify for visa-free access will get valid visas at the port of entry for 90 days of visits, while others get the same for 30 days. Nationals from Commonwealth Nations and the African Union are exempted from visa fees on arrival. Also, citizens from La Francophone countries are exempted from paying fees for arrival visas.
East African Tourist Visa
Under a joint agreement between the government of Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya, the East African visa is issued to tourists who wish to visit all three countries. The visa is valid for 90 days and is issued to the visitor in advance. The visa is strictly for tourism and commands a visa fee. The visa is a multiple-entry visa that can be used several times for entry, but it is not renewable at expiry or upon your exit. Holders are also expected first to enter the country that issued the visa before traveling to another country.
Rwanda Electronic Visa
Still, the visa policy of Rwanda is the electronic visa (e-visa). This is an online visa for foreigners who do not qualify for visa-free entry due to their nationality. The visa is a single entry document for visits for at least 30 days. The processing time is fast in three working days or less and issued via email to the applicant. The applicant must fill out and apply online after paying an application fee. E visas are issued for tourism and business, but you may get one for transit as well; it is not a work or study visa, and you can’t use it for residing permanently in Rwanda.
Note: Only eligible nationals may apply for e-visas or visas on arrival. If your country still needs to be added to the eligibility list, kindly submit your visa application to the nearest Rwandan foreign mission.
Key Information About Rwanda e Visa
Before applying for an electronic visa or traveling to Rwanda, here is some vital information to note.
Travel With The Same Passport: Ensure that the passport you used for the e-visa application is the same one you travel with. Note that the visa is linked to your passport, so a different passport will not generate any data if checked by the immigration officers. If you discover that your current passport will not qualify you for the trip, endeavor to get a new one and use it to ally for the visa.
Print A Copy: Once the visa is delivered to your email address, please print out a copy and travel with it. The authorities will request for before stamping your passport to let your through. The visa will also come in handy during your stay in the country.
Application Fee: Also note that the application fee is an important requirement. Without paying the application fee, you will not be allowed to submit the application form. This fee is solely for processing and is not a certainty that you will get the visa if you don’t meet the requirements.
Apply Early: You want to apply for your visa at least 4 days before your planned departure date to get at least a 24-hour headstart. The process takes only three working days, so apply for it at the start of the week so you are on time by the weekend.
Apply Outside Rwanda: You can only apply for this visa outside Rwanda. If your visa is fast approaching the expiration date and you wish to reapply, you must leave the country first before submitting another application. Applications within Rwanda are prohibited.
You Cannot Extend The East African Tourist Visa: You can’t extend the East African tourist visa before it expires. To stay much longer, you must leave Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya before applying for a new one.
Rwanda Visa Online – Get your Rwanda e-Visa with VisaHQ
If you are planning a trip to Rwanda in the Eastern part of Africa, you should consider applying for an online visa if your nationality qualifies you for one. E visas take less time to apply for and are approved in just a few days, which is much better than applying for a visa at the Rwandan foreign mission.
How To Apply For A Visa With VisaHQ
If you have been looking for a faster way to get a visa for Rwanda, you are in luck because of the opportunity we offer. You can complete the online application form from the comfort of your office or home as long as you have an internet connection and a device like a computer or a smartphone. Just follow these simple steps.
Complete the form: Start by completing the online application form and make sure each section is filled with accurate information.
Upload your documents: Depending on the specific documentary requirements you are applying for, scan and upload the documents in the boxes provided. After uploading, you will need to pay the application fee using a credit or debit card and then submit it for approval.
Get your visa: After 24-72 hours, the visa will be forwarded to your email.
Why Use VisaHQ?
There are so many reasons to use VisaHQ for your online visa applications. We offer
- 24-hour technical support
- The opportunity to apply for multiple online visas to save time
- Access to online application tracking
- Save your data for future use
We have the experts and resources to help you complete your application in record time. Navigate to the application page now to get started.