RwandaCanada: Visa required

RwandaCanada

Do Rwanda passport holders need a visa for Canada?

Visa required

Yes. Rwanda passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Canada.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: canada.ca (checked September 3, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-21

Distance11,386 km, straight line (~13h 54m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Canada98 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Canada passport holders visiting Rwanda: Visa on arrival.

Visa-free alternatives near Canada

Rwanda passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Rwanda passport holders

See all Rwanda destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Rwanda passport holders need a visa for Canada?

Yes. Rwanda passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Canada.

How far is Canada from Rwanda?

About 11,386 km in a straight line, roughly ~13h 54m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Canada?

Canadian dollar (CAD).

What is the emergency number in Canada?

911.

What time zone is Canada in?

Toronto (UTC-4).

What is the nearest airport to Ottawa?

Ottawa / Rockcliffe Airport (YRO), about 6 km away.

How many countries can enter Canada without a visa?

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

What nearby countries can Rwanda passport holders visit without a visa instead of Canada?

Bahamas, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica.

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 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.

About Canada

Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the second-largest country by total area, with the longest coastline of any country. Its border with the United States is the longest international land border. The country is characterized by a wide range of both meteorologic and geological regions. With a population of over 41 million, it has widely varying population densities, with the majority residing in its urban areas and large areas being sparsely populated. Its capital is Ottawa and its three largest metropolitan areas are Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

CapitalOttawa

RegionNorth America

Population41.7M

Area9,984,670 km²

CurrencyCanadian dollar (1 USD ≈ 1.41 CAD)

LanguagesEnglish, French

Calling code+1

Drives on theright

TimezoneToronto (UTC-4)

Nearest airportOttawa / Rockcliffe Airport (YRO), 6 km

Emergency number911

UNESCO sites23

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$55,698 (2025)

Tourist arrivals32.4M (2019)

Climate in Ottawa

Warmest July, coolest February, driest May, sunniest July. Best time to visit: June, July.

Monthly climate normals for Ottawa, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	-2.2°C	-11.3°C	109mm	141h
February	-1.6°C	-11.8°C	73mm	187h
March	5°C	-5.8°C	105mm	216h
April	9.6°C	-0.7°C	94mm	238h
May	18.3°C	5.9°C	50mm	355h
June	24.8°C	13.2°C	50mm	367h
July	29°C	18.5°C	67mm	390h
August	24°C	16°C	133mm	323h
September	19.6°C	11.1°C	77mm	272h
October	12.7°C	4.7°C	111mm	201h
November	8.2°C	0.8°C	81mm	164h
December	1°C	-5.4°C	84mm	94h

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

Canada is the world's second largest country by area, behind only Russia. Nicknamed the Great White North, Canada is renowned for its vast landscapes of outstanding natural beauty and its multicultural heritage. While there are cosmopolitan cities, much of Canada consists of forests, it has more lakes than any other country and it features the Rocky Mountains, the Prairies, three oceanic coasts and a sparsely populated archipelago extending into the Arctic.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Anticosti
Burgess Shale
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Grand-Pré
Gros Morne National Park
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Joggins Fossil Cliffs
Kluane / Wrangell – St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek
L'Anse aux Meadows

Upcoming public holidays

November 11, 2026Armistice Day

November 11, 2026Remembrance Day

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

Full source list on About.