Rwanda passport → South Africa

Do Rwandan citizens need a visa for South Africa?

Visa required in advance

Rwandan passport holders need a visa for South Africa, arranged before you travel. Depending on the country, that means an online application, a sponsor or agent, or an appointment at a visa centre.

Apply on the official site: dha.gov.za

What this means for your trip

Start early. Some countries take the whole application online; others need a visa-centre appointment for fingerprints, and waits can be long in peak season.
Typical documents: application form, photos, bank statements, tax returns, an employment letter, bookings and travel insurance.
If you already hold certain other visas, a simpler route may apply. Check the section below.

Get trip-ready for South Africa

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South Africa at a glance

Capital: Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Cape Town
Currency: South African rand (ZAR)
Languages: Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Calling code: +27
Region: Southern Africa

Read the South Africa travel guide →

Tourists taking in the view to Cape Town from the southern end of Robben Island

ZA29.0°S · 24.0°EPhoto: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Table Mountain, safaris and the winelandsTable Mountain · Kruger National Park · Cape of Good Hope

South Africa for other passports

RwandaVisa required
IndiaeTA90 days
United StatesVisa-free90 days
United KingdomVisa-free90 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa-free90 days
ChinaeTA90 days
SingaporeVisa-free90 days
PakistaneVisa
BangladeshVisa required
Sri LankaVisa required
NepalVisa required
NigeriaeVisa
PhilippineseVisa

Nearby in Southern Africa for Rwandan passport holders

NamibiaVisa on arrival90 days
BotswanaeVisa
LesothoeVisa
EswatiniVisa required

Common questions

Do Rwandan citizens need a visa for South Africa?

Rwandan passport holders need a visa for South Africa, arranged before you travel. Depending on the country, that means an online application, a sponsor or agent, or an appointment at a visa centre.

How long can Rwandan citizens stay in South Africa?

The allowed stay depends on the visa you are granted. Check the decision letter or entry stamp.

Can Rwandan citizens get a visa on arrival in South Africa?

Not under the standard rules.

How many countries can Rwandan citizens visit without a visa?

62 destinations allow entry without a visa arranged in advance (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA). The Rwanda passport ranks #66 of 93 (passports with equal scores share a rank).

Source: Wikipedia contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0). Updated weekly. Rules can change, so give the official site a quick look before you fly.