Rwanda
Netherlands
Netherlands visa for Rwandan citizens
Entry requirement
Rwandan citizens need a visa for the Netherlands, obtained before travel.
- Where to apply
- 1 mission
- Visa guide
- Netherlands visa guide
Checked 31 October 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at nederlandwereldwijd.nl
Which Netherlands 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 within 15 days, up to 45 days in individual cases. You receive an e-mail when processing ends; it does not say whether the visa was granted.
All visa types for the Netherlands
For the tourist visa, the Netherlands’ official sources give a standard fee of €90, and applications are made on consular.mfaservices.nl. Processing time, as the Netherlands states it: Usually within 15 days, up to 45 days in individual cases. You receive an e-mail when processing ends; it does not say whether the visa was granted. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Dutch missions in Rwanda
- Embassy of the Netherlands in Kigali
Boulevard de l'Umuganda, Kigali
The Netherlands has 1 mission in Rwanda, with its embassy in Kigali.
Netherlands: visa decisions in Rwanda
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 | 2 | 1 | – | – |
| 2024 | 10 | 9 | 0 | – | – |
| 2025 | 22 | 21 | 1 | 4.2% | 61.9% |
In 2025, the Netherlands’ embassy and consulates in Rwanda (Kigali) received 22 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 21. The refusal rate was 4.2%. Applications rose by 120% compared with 2024 (10).
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. the Netherlands’ consulates worldwide refused 17.7%. The Netherlands was the 4th 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
Dutch citizens travelling to Rwanda
NetherlandsRwanda Visa on arrival Rwanda visa for citizens of the Netherlands
Travel advice for the Netherlands
- 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 the Netherlands can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates the Netherlands at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 17 August 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to the Netherlands (updated 11 August 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for the Netherlands (updated 13 October 2026). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.
Good to know
How long Rwandan citizens can stay in the Netherlands
How long Rwandan citizens may stay in the Netherlands 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 Dutch embassy in Kigali, or to a visa centre acting for the Netherlands; fees, documents and processing times are published by the Netherlands.
the Netherlands and the Schengen area
A Schengen visa issued by the Netherlands lets Rwandan citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to the Netherlands when it is the main destination of the trip.
The Netherlands’ neighbours for Rwandan citizens
Germany and Belgium require Rwandan citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
Dutch citizens travelling to Rwanda
Dutch citizens receive their visa for Rwanda at the border; it covers up to 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do Rwandan citizens need a visa for the Netherlands?
Rwandan citizens need a visa for the Netherlands, obtained before travel.
Where is the Dutch embassy in Rwanda?
The Dutch embassy in Rwanda is in Kigali.
How much does the Netherlands tourist visa cost?
The Netherlands’ official sources give a standard fee of €90 for the tourist visa. Processing time: Usually within 15 days, up to 45 days in individual cases. You receive an e-mail when processing ends; it does not say whether the visa was granted.
Do Dutch citizens need a visa for Rwanda?
Dutch citizens receive their visa for Rwanda at the border; it covers up to 30 days.
Can Rwandan citizens enter the Netherlands visa-free?
No; Rwandan citizens need a visa for the Netherlands 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.