Do Rwandan passport holders need a visa for the United States?
By Arun Singh · Destinations Writer, Tripmojo · Updated
Yes. Rwanda is not in the US Visa Waiver Programme, so Rwandan citizens need a B1/B2 visitor visa before travelling. It costs 185 US dollars and requires an interview at the US Embassy in Kigali. No bond is required: Rwanda is not on the US visa bond list.
Quick facts
Visa required- Visa required
- Yes, a B1/B2 visitor visa
- Cost
- USD 185, unchanged since May 2023
- Visa bond
- Not required, Rwanda is not on the bond list
- Interview
- Required in person, at the US Embassy in Kigali
- Faster appointment
- Optional USD 750, available until 31 December 2026
- Covers
- Tourism, visiting family, business meetings
Entry requirements
- A Rwandan passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay.
- An approved B1/B2 visa before you travel. There is no visa on arrival in the United States.
- A completed DS-160 and its confirmation page.
- Evidence of ties to Rwanda that you will return to: employment, studies, business or family.
- Proof of funds for the trip, and an itinerary or invitation where you have one.
How to apply for a B1/B2 visa
Complete the DS-160 online, pay the 185 dollar fee, then book an interview at the US Embassy in Kigali. The fee is charged before the appointment and is not returned if the visa is refused.
A separate 750 US dollar fee can buy an interview appointment within ten business days at selected posts. It is optional, it is on top of the 185 dollars, and it is temporary: it took effect on 1 July 2026 and expires on 31 December 2026 unless extended.
Bring the DS-160 confirmation, your passport, the fee receipt, a compliant photograph and the evidence of your ties to Rwanda. The decision is made at the interview.
Good to know
- Rwanda is not on the visa bond list. The distinction matters because the United States made the bond programme permanent on 3 August 2026 and several African countries are covered, so applicants are hearing about bonds of ten to twenty thousand dollars. That does not apply to Rwandan passport holders.
- A B1/B2 covers business meetings, conferences and negotiations, but not employment. Attending a conference is fine; being paid by a US entity for work performed there is not, and needs a different visa.
- The visa authorises travel to the border, not entry. The Customs and Border Protection officer decides admission and the permitted stay when you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Do Rwandans need a visa for the USA?
Yes. Rwanda is not in the Visa Waiver Programme, so a B1/B2 visitor visa must be obtained before travelling.
How much does a US visa cost for Rwandan citizens?
185 US dollars for the B1/B2 application, paid before the interview and not refunded on refusal.
Do Rwandans need to post a US visa bond?
No. The bond programme covers nationals of listed countries only, and Rwanda is not on that list.
Where do Rwandans apply for a US visa?
At the US Embassy in Kigali, after completing the DS-160 online and paying the application fee.
Can Rwandans attend a conference in the US on a B1/B2?
Yes. Conferences, meetings and negotiations are covered. Paid work is not, and requires a different visa category.
Related pages
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against the official sources below on .
- US Department of Homeland Security — Visa Waiver Program designated countries. Rwanda is absent from the designation list.
- Federal Register, 9 June 2026, Schedule of Fees for Consular Services (2026-11513) — USD 185 MRV fee; temporary USD 750 expedited-appointment fee to 31 December 2026
- Federal Register, 3 August 2026, Visas: Visa Bond Program (2026-15726)
- US Department of State — Countries Subject to Visa Bonds. Rwanda is not listed. Read in a browser by Simran Raheja on 2026-08-08.
Entry rules change without notice and the official source is always the authority. Confirm with the embassy or immigration portal before you book.
