RwandaNetherlands: Visa required

RwandaNetherlands

Do Rwanda passport holders need a visa for Netherlands?

Visa required

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

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

Source: eur-lex.europa.eu (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

Distance6,484 km, straight line (~8h 8m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Netherlands134 of 238 nationalities tracked

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

Visa-free alternatives near Netherlands

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

San Marino

Other visa-free destinations for Rwanda passport holders

See all Rwanda destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Rwanda passport holders need a visa for Netherlands?

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

How far is Netherlands from Rwanda?

About 6,484 km in a straight line, roughly ~8h 8m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Netherlands?

Euro (EUR).

What is the emergency number in Netherlands?

112.

What time zone is Netherlands in?

Amsterdam (UTC+2).

What is the nearest airport to Amsterdam?

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), about 11 km away.

How many countries can enter Netherlands without a visa?

134 of the 238 nationalities this site tracks can enter Netherlands visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

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

San Marino.

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 Netherlands

The Netherlands, also informally known as Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Netherlands consists of twelve provinces and three overseas special municipalities. European Netherlands has land borders with Germany to the east and with Belgium to the south, and a coastline to the north and west. It shares maritime borders with the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium in the North Sea. The official language is Dutch, with West Frisian as a secondary official language in the province of Friesland. Dutch, English, and Papiamento are official languages in the Caribbean territories. People from the Netherlands are referred to as Dutch.

CapitalAmsterdam

RegionWestern Europe

Population18.1M

Area41,850 km²

CurrencyEuro (1 USD ≈ 0.89 EUR)

LanguagesDutch

Calling code+31

Drives on theright

TimezoneAmsterdam (UTC+2)

Nearest airportAmsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), 11 km

Emergency number112

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$73,684 (2025)

Tourist arrivals7.3M (2020)

Climate in Amsterdam

Warmest August, coolest December, driest May, sunniest May.

Monthly climate normals for Amsterdam, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	8.6°C	4.1°C	58mm	107h
February	9.2°C	4.8°C	133mm	143h
March	9.6°C	3.2°C	46mm	250h
April	15.4°C	5.2°C	24mm	340h
May	17.1°C	7.8°C	20mm	408h
June	20.7°C	13.1°C	72mm	330h
July	19.9°C	12.7°C	93mm	347h
August	23.9°C	16°C	100mm	346h
September	19.4°C	11.2°C	69mm	283h
October	14°C	8.8°C	145mm	165h
November	12.2°C	6.2°C	54mm	156h
December	7.6°C	2.9°C	111mm	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

The Netherlands is a charming small country in the low-lying river delta of northwestern Europe. Its landscape of famously flat lands, much of it reclaimed from the sea, is dotted with windmills, blooming tulip fields and picturesque villages. The modern architecture and urban environments of quite a few cities are also becoming internationally prominent. With over 17 million people living in a relatively small area, this is a densely populated modern European country. Still, even the largest of its cities have retained elements of a laid-back, small-town atmosphere, and most are packed with historic heritage, for which there is much local pride.

Upcoming public holidays

December 25, 2026Eerste Kerstdag

December 26, 2026Tweede Kerstdag

January 1, 2027Nieuwjaarsdag

Full source list on About.