Rwanda
France
France visa for Rwandan citizens
Entry requirement
France requires Rwandan citizens to hold a visa issued in advance.
- Where to apply
- 1 mission
- Visa guide
- France visa guide
Checked 31 October 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at rw.ambafrance.org
Which France visa?
Uniform Schengen visa (type C) for tourism
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Fee
- €90
- Processing time
- Usually 15 days after lodging the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; allow extra time to obtain an appointment.
France’s tourist visa costs €90 at the standard rate published by its authorities; the official site for it is france-visas.gouv.fr. Processing time, as France states it: Usually 15 days after lodging the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; allow extra time to obtain an appointment. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
French missions in Rwanda
- Embassy of France in Kigali
3 KN 33st – BP 441, Kigali
France has 1 mission in Rwanda, with its embassy in Kigali.
France: visa decisions in Rwanda
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 988 | 638 | 253 | 27.8% | 11.6% |
| 2024 | 4,179 | 2,606 | 1,561 | 37.0% | 14.7% |
| 2025 | 5,977 | 3,587 | 2,265 | 37.9% | 22.6% |
In 2025, France’s embassy and consulates in Rwanda (Kigali) received 5,977 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 3,587. The refusal rate was 37.9%. That is barely different from 2024 (37.0%). Applications rose by 43% compared with 2024 (4,179).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 37.3% of the applications lodged in Rwanda that year. France’s consulates worldwide refused 14.2%. France was the most applied-for Schengen state in Rwanda.
You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in Rwanda, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made
French citizens travelling to Rwanda
FranceRwanda Visa-free, 30 days Rwanda visa for citizens of France
Travel advice for France
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
Rwandan citizens planning a trip to France can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates France at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 20 October 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to France (updated 22 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for France (updated 28 October 2026). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.
Good to know
How long Rwandan citizens can stay in France
How long Rwandan citizens may stay in France is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How Rwandan citizens apply
In Rwanda, applications go to the French embassy in Kigali, or to a visa centre acting for France; fees, documents and processing times are published by France.
France and the Schengen area
A Schengen visa issued by France lets Rwandan citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to France when it is the main destination of the trip.
France’s neighbours for Rwandan citizens
Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Andorra, Monaco and Spain require Rwandan citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
French citizens travelling to Rwanda
Rwanda admits French citizens without a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do Rwandan citizens need a visa for France?
France requires Rwandan citizens to hold a visa issued in advance.
Where is the French embassy in Rwanda?
The French embassy in Rwanda is in Kigali.
How much does the France tourist visa cost?
France’s official sources give a standard fee of €90 for the tourist visa. Processing time: Usually 15 days after lodging the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; allow extra time to obtain an appointment.
Do French citizens need a visa for Rwanda?
Rwanda admits French citizens without a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
Can Rwandan citizens enter France visa-free?
No; Rwandan citizens need a visa for France obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 31 October 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.