RwandaUnited States: Visa required

RwandaUnited States

Do Rwanda passport holders need a visa for United States?

Visa required

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

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

Source: dhs.gov (checked September 4, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance11,617 km, straight line (~14h 10m nonstop)

Visa-free access to United States84 of 237 nationalities tracked

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

Visa-free alternatives near United States

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 United States?

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

How far is United States from Rwanda?

About 11,617 km in a straight line, roughly ~14h 10m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in United States?

United States dollar (USD).

What is the emergency number in United States?

911.

What time zone is United States in?

New York (UTC-4).

What is the nearest airport to Washington D.C.?

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), about 4 km away.

How many countries can enter United States without a visa?

84 of the 237 nationalities this site tracks can enter United States visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

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

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 ≈ 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 United States

The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic consisting of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguous states border Canada to the north and Mexico to the south, with the semi-exclave of Alaska in the northwest and the archipelago of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The United States also asserts sovereignty over five major island territories and various uninhabited islands in Oceania and the Caribbean. It is a megadiverse country, with the world's fourth-largest total area and third-largest population, exceeding 341 million.

CapitalWashington D.C.

RegionNorth America

Population341.8M

Area9,372,610 km²

CurrencyUnited States dollar (1 USD ≈ 1.00 USD)

LanguagesEnglish

Calling code+1

Drives on theright

TimezoneNew York (UTC-4)

Nearest airportRonald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), 4 km

Emergency number911

UNESCO sites29

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$90,027 (2025)

Tourist arrivals45M (2020)

Climate in Washington D.C.

Warmest July, coolest December, driest March, sunniest July. Best time to visit: June.

Monthly climate normals for Washington D.C., 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	8.6°C	-0.2°C	72mm	188h
February	9.9°C	0.6°C	118mm	172h
March	15.5°C	4.7°C	71mm	223h
April	16.7°C	5.8°C	158mm	239h
May	20.9°C	11.1°C	92mm	304h
June	29°C	18.6°C	98mm	353h
July	32.7°C	22.5°C	168mm	383h
August	28.5°C	20.9°C	449mm	292h
September	24.3°C	15.4°C	173mm	255h
October	19.9°C	10.5°C	158mm	216h
November	15.8°C	6.3°C	194mm	229h
December	8°C	-0.3°C	146mm	196h

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 United States of America spans a continent and numerous islands: its diverse geography comprises vast uninhabited areas of natural beauty punctuated by cities ringed by sprawling suburbs. Its wide array of tourist destinations includes the skyscrapers of Manhattan and Chicago, the natural wonders of Yellowstone and Alaska, the canyonlands of the Southwest, the towering volcanoes and rugged coastlines of the Pacific Northwest, and the warm, sunny beaches of Florida, Hawaii, and Southern California.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Cahokia
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Chaco Culture World Heritage Site
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
Everglades National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks
Independence Hall

Upcoming public holidays

November 11, 2026Veterans Day

November 26, 2026Thanksgiving Day

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

Full source list on About.