French GuianaRwanda: Visa on arrival

French GuianaRwanda

Do France passport holders need a visa for Rwanda?

Visa on arrival

A visa is not required in advance. France passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Rwanda.

A visa is issued at the border on arrival, usually for a fee, with no advance application.

French Guiana does not issue its own passport; residents travel on a France passport. See the France passport.

Source: migration.gov.rw (checked July 18, 2026).

RequirementVisa on arrival

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelNone, travel on your passport

Data as of2026-10-21

Visa-free access to Rwanda242 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Rwanda passport holders visiting French Guiana: Visa required.

Other visa-free destinations for France passport holders

See all France destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do France passport holders need a visa for Rwanda?

A visa is not required in advance. France passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Rwanda.

What currency is used in Rwanda?

Rwandan franc (RWF).

What is the emergency number in Rwanda?

112 / 912.

What time zone is Rwanda in?

Kigali (UTC+2).

What is the nearest airport to Kigali?

Kigali International Airport (KGL), about 9 km away.

How many countries can enter Rwanda without a visa?

242 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter Rwanda visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About French Guiana

French Guiana, also known by its French name Guyane or Guyane française, is an overseas department and region of France located on the northern coast of South America in the Guianas and the West Indies. Bordered by Suriname to the west and Brazil to the east and south, French Guiana covers a total area of 84,000 km2 (32,000 sq mi) and a land area of 83,534 km2 (32,253 sq mi). As of January 2026, it is home to 298,554 people.

RegionSouth America

Area83,534 km²

CurrencyEuro (1 USD ≈ 0.89 EUR)

LanguagesFrench

Calling code+594

Drives on theright

Climate in French Guiana

Warmest October, coolest January, driest October, sunniest October. Best time to visit: January, February, March, July, August, September, October.

Monthly climate normals for French Guiana, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	28.3°C	21.7°C	136mm	272h
February	28.7°C	21.4°C	112mm	269h
March	29.7°C	22.1°C	189mm	271h
April	28°C	22.3°C	604mm	166h
May	28.1°C	22.5°C	514mm	179h
June	28.6°C	22.1°C	383mm	234h
July	29.4°C	21.8°C	202mm	285h
August	30.4°C	22.1°C	136mm	322h
September	32°C	22.2°C	74mm	323h
October	32.9°C	22.8°C	71mm	334h
November	28.6°C	22.3°C	310mm	213h
December	28.5°C	22.1°C	240mm	258h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

French Guiana is an overseas French department and region in the Amazonia region of South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname. It is governed as an overseas department of France with the same rights and privileges granted to all other French departments, and it benefits financially from the arrangement. Compared to the other "Guianas", French Guiana has the most visible preserved rainforest and a more relaxed and organized lifestyle, but also the highest prices and the least backpacker infrastructure.

Upcoming public holidays

November 1, 2026Toussaint

November 11, 2026Armistice de 1918

December 25, 2026Noël

Full source list on About.

About Rwanda

Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Its geography is dominated by mountains in the west and savanna in the southeast. The largest and most notable lakes are mainly in the western and northern regions of the country, and several volcanoes that form part of the Virunga volcanic chain are primarily in the northwest. The climate is considered tropical highland, with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons each year. Its capital and largest city is Kigali, located at the centre of the country, at 1,567 metres above sea level. Rwanda lies a few degrees south of the Equator in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa. Rwanda is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. With a population of about 14 million people living within a total area of 26,338 square kilometres (10,169 sq mi), of which land accounts for about 93.7%, Rwanda is the 21st most densely populated country in the world, with an average of about 578 people per square kilometre.

CapitalKigali

RegionEastern Africa

Population14.6M

Area26,338 km²

CurrencyRwandan franc (1 USD ≈ 1477.84 RWF)

LanguagesEnglish, French, Kinyarwanda

Calling code+250

Drives on theright

TimezoneKigali (UTC+2)

Nearest airportKigali International Airport (KGL), 9 km

Emergency number112 / 912

UNESCO sites2

Income levelLow income

GDP per capita$1,124 (2025)

Tourist arrivals1.6M (2019)

Climate in Kigali

Warmest August, coolest November, driest July, sunniest May. Best time to visit: March, May, June, July, August, September, December.

Monthly climate normals for Kigali, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	25.5°C	15.4°C	133mm	286h
February	26.5°C	15.5°C	106mm	301h
March	25.9°C	15.7°C	99mm	303h
April	24.7°C	15.7°C	165mm	277h
May	24.6°C	15.3°C	58mm	350h
June	25.1°C	15.3°C	19mm	323h
July	26.1°C	15.3°C	11mm	325h
August	27.9°C	16°C	19mm	337h
September	27.9°C	15.5°C	59mm	321h
October	26.1°C	15.2°C	169mm	317h
November	25.3°C	14.8°C	126mm	290h
December	25.8°C	14.6°C	101mm	331h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Rwanda is an East African country known as the land of a thousand hills. It is easily accessible from Kenya and Uganda, and is one of the safest and most organised countries on the continent. The rolling green highlands, volcanic mountains, and ancient rainforests make it a striking destination. Rwanda is best known for mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, but also offers savannah wildlife in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee tracking and canopy walks in Nyungwe National Park, and a vibrant capital in Kigali. The country is compact, well connected, and easy to travel around.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero
Nyungwe Forest

Upcoming public holidays

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

December 26, 2026Boxing Day

January 1, 2027New Year's Day

Full source list on About.