Rwanda
Germany
Germany visa for Rwandan citizens
Entry requirement
Rwandan citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to Germany.
- Where to apply
- 1 mission
- Visa guide
- Germany visa guide
Checked 31 October 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at kigali.diplo.de
Which Germany visa?
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 the mission receives the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; any waiting time for an appointment comes on top.
For the tourist visa, Germany’s official sources give a standard fee of €90, and applications are made on videx.diplo.de. Processing time, as Germany states it: Usually 15 days after the mission receives the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; any waiting time for an appointment comes on top. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
German missions in Rwanda
Germany has 1 mission in Rwanda, with its embassy in Kigali.
Germany: visa decisions in Rwanda
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 162 | 155 | 4 | 2.5% | 60.6% |
| 2024 | 119 | 99 | 14 | 11.9% | 92.9% |
| 2025 | 357 | 279 | 38 | 11.3% | 72.4% |
In 2025, Germany’s embassy and consulates in Rwanda (Kigali) received 357 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 279. 11.3% of applications were refused. In 2024 the rate was much the same, 11.9%. Applications rose by 200% compared with 2024 (119).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 37.3% of the applications lodged in Rwanda that year, from 37.9% at the consulates of France to 40.2% at those of Belgium. Germany’s consulates worldwide refused 13.1%. Germany was the 3rd 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
German citizens travelling to Rwanda
GermanyRwanda Visa on arrival Rwanda visa for citizens of Germany
Travel advice for Germany
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
Before travelling from Rwanda to Germany, it helps to know the official travel advice: the US State Department rates Germany at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 12 May 2025) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Germany (updated 11 August 2026).
Good to know
How long Rwandan citizens can stay in Germany
How long Rwandan citizens may stay in Germany 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 German embassy in Kigali, or to a visa centre acting for Germany; fees, documents and processing times are published by Germany.
Germany and the Schengen area
A Schengen visa issued by Germany lets Rwandan citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to Germany when it is the main destination of the trip.
Germany’s neighbours for Rwandan citizens
Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, France and Austria require Rwandan citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
German citizens travelling to Rwanda
Rwanda issues German citizens a visa on arrival for stays of up to 30 days, so nothing has to be arranged in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Do Rwandan citizens need a visa for Germany?
Rwandan citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to Germany.
Where is the German embassy in Rwanda?
The German embassy in Rwanda is in Kigali.
How much does the Germany tourist visa cost?
Germany’s official sources give a standard fee of €90 for the tourist visa. Processing time: Usually 15 days after the mission receives the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; any waiting time for an appointment comes on top.
Do German citizens need a visa for Rwanda?
Rwanda issues German citizens a visa on arrival for stays of up to 30 days, so nothing has to be arranged in advance.
Can Rwandan citizens enter Germany visa-free?
No; Rwandan citizens need a visa for Germany 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.