Rwanda is the easy one. Australia is a Commonwealth country, and Rwanda gives Commonwealth passport holders a free 30-day tourist visa at the border. There's no form before you fly, no fee, and nothing to print. This page exists because people don't quite believe it, and because there are three other things Rwanda does check.
The short version. Australians get a free 30-day visa on arrival in Rwanda, at Kigali International Airport and every land border. No application needed. Your passport needs six months' validity. Stay longer than 30 days, or come and go, and you apply at irembo.gov.rw.
How it works at Kigali
You land, you queue for immigration, you hand over your passport and say you're a tourist. The officer will ask where you're staying, so have the first hotel's name from your Kingse itinerary ready, and may ask about your onward flight. Stamp, done. The 30 days run from that stamp. The same rule applies at the land borders we use: Cyanika and Gatuna coming in from Uganda, Rusumo from Tanzania.
Rwanda's immigration department has allowed visa on arrival for every nationality since 2018 and waives the fee for citizens of Commonwealth, African Union and Francophonie countries. The Australian Government's Smartraveller advice puts it in one line: citizens of Commonwealth countries receive free 30-day tourist visas on arrival.
When you would pay
Staying more than 30 days, or leaving and coming back, means a paid visa. A multiple-entry visa is USD 70 for up to 90 days. The East Africa Tourist Visa is USD 100 and covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya together for 90 days, applied for through whichever of the three you enter first. For a Rwanda-first trip you'd lodge that on Irembo, the government's online services portal, which is also where you'd pre-apply if you simply prefer the paperwork done before you fly. For a standard gorilla trip of a few nights, none of this applies.
Three things Rwanda does check
Plastic bags. Rwanda banned non-biodegradable plastic bags in 2008 and means it. Bags get taken off you at the airport. Pack toiletries in a reusable pouch, not a supermarket bag, and leave the duty-free plastic behind.
Where you've been. Because of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, anyone who has been in the DRC in the previous 30 days is currently refused entry, and there's health screening at the airport. None of our itineraries go near the DRC, but if you've travelled there independently, tell us before you book.
Yellow fever. Rwanda asks for a yellow fever certificate if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. Uganda and Kenya are on that list, so on our Uganda-to-Rwanda gorilla trail the card gets looked at. Arriving from Australia with a short airside transit, it doesn't come up. Whether you have the vaccine at all is a decision for a travel doctor with your whole itinerary, not for us.
Gorilla permits
Your permit for Volcanoes National Park is bought by us in your name, in full, when your trip is confirmed. Bring the same passport to the morning briefing at Kinigi. At USD 1,500 per person per trek it's the biggest line in any Rwanda quote; our Rwanda gorilla trekking cost guide explains what it covers.
Rwanda with Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania
Each neighbour has its own rules. Uganda needs an eVisa before you fly, Kenya an eTA, and Tanzania its own visa, never covered by the East Africa Tourist Visa. Entering Rwanda last is the easiest way to finish a two-country trip, and Kigali is the easiest airport in the region to fly home from.
Quick answers
Do Australians need a visa for Rwanda?
Technically yes, but it's issued free at the border. Australia is a Commonwealth country, and Rwanda gives Commonwealth passport holders a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival with no application beforehand.
How much does a Rwanda visa cost for Australians?
Nothing for a stay of up to 30 days. A multiple-entry visa for up to 90 days is USD 70, and the East Africa Tourist Visa covering Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya is USD 100.
Can I apply for the Rwanda visa online before I fly?
Yes, at irembo.gov.rw, the government's online services portal. For Australians on a short trip it's optional; the same free visa is issued on arrival.
What do I need to show on arrival in Rwanda?
A passport valid for at least six months, the name of your first hotel, and possibly your onward flight. Have your Kingse itinerary on your phone.
Does the East Africa Tourist Visa include Tanzania?
No. It covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya only. Tanzania is always a separate visa.
Stuck on a box?
Send us a screenshot. We've seen every version of these forms and we'll tell you what to type. That's part of what you're paying us for.
Questions Before You Fly?
Send us a message
Booked with us and unsure about a border rule, a permit or what to carry? Message us and we'll give you a straight answer. Not booked yet? We'll walk you through all of it once you are.
