RwandaSwitzerland: Visa required

RwandaSwitzerland

Do Rwanda passport holders need a visa for Switzerland?

Visa required

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

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 of2026-10-19

Distance5,869 km, straight line (~7h 24m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Switzerland138 of 242 nationalities tracked

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

Visa-free alternatives near Switzerland

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 Switzerland?

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

How far is Switzerland from Rwanda?

About 5,869 km in a straight line, roughly ~7h 24m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Switzerland?

Swiss franc (CHF).

What is the emergency number in Switzerland?

112 / 117 / 118 / 140 / 1414 / 144 / 145.

What time zone is Switzerland in?

Zurich (UTC+2).

What is the nearest airport to Bern?

Bern Airport (BRN), about 5 km away.

How many countries can enter Switzerland without a visa?

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

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

San Marino, Andorra.

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 ≈ 1475.49 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 Switzerland

Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located at the intersection of Central, Western, and Southern Europe. It is bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, and Italy to the south. Switzerland is geographically divided among the Swiss Alps, the Swiss Plateau, and the Jura Mountains; the Alps cover most of the country's territory, whereas the majority of its 9 million people are concentrated on the plateau, which hosts many of the largest cities and economic centres, including Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne, Winterthur, and Lucerne.

CapitalBern

RegionWestern Europe

Population9.1M

Area41,284 km²

CurrencySwiss franc (1 USD ≈ 0.82 CHF)

LanguagesFrench, Swiss German, Italian, Romansh

Calling code+41

Drives on theright

TimezoneZurich (UTC+2)

Nearest airportBern Airport (BRN), 5 km

Emergency number112 / 117 / 118 / 140 / 1414 / 144 / 145

UNESCO sites14

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$114,769 (2025)

Tourist arrivals11.8M (2019)

Climate in Bern

Warmest August, coolest January, driest January, sunniest July. Best time to visit: July.

Monthly climate normals for Bern, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	5.5°C	-2.5°C	35mm	221h
February	9.6°C	0.9°C	114mm	185h
March	9.6°C	0°C	68mm	270h
April	17.2°C	5.1°C	40mm	345h
May	17.7°C	7.2°C	94mm	330h
June	19.9°C	11.3°C	177mm	305h
July	23.9°C	14°C	79mm	385h
August	24.1°C	14.2°C	131mm	320h
September	20.2°C	10.7°C	53mm	299h
October	12.5°C	5.2°C	183mm	191h
November	8.9°C	1.1°C	40mm	205h
December	4.2°C	-1.5°C	122mm	128h

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

Switzerland is a mountainous country known globally for its neutrality, democracy, and almost-legendary affluence: Switzerland has one of the highest standards of living in the world, and prices to match.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Abbey of Saint Gall
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Glarus thrust
Jungfrau-Aletsch protected area
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning
Lavaux
Monte San Giorgio
Monte San Giorgio site fossils
Old City of Bern
Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes

Upcoming public holidays

November 1, 2026Allerheiligen

December 8, 2026Mariä Empfängnis

December 25, 2026Weihnachten

Full source list on About.