Submitting your visa application in Rwanda?

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Where, when and how can you submit a visa application?


On 17 March 2025, Rwanda decided to break off diplomatic relations with Belgium with immediate effect. As a result, our embassy in Kigali is now closed and visa applicants need to come to Nairobi to submit their visa application.

You will find all the necessary information on the procedure for your visa application on the website of TLScontact.

Holders of diplomatic or service passports as well as family members of EU-citizens* (only for C visa) can submit their visa applications directly at the Embassy of Belgium after filling out the visa application form on the website Visa On Web and after taking an appointment via e-Appointment.

*Family members of EU nationals (including those from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) or Swiss nationals: spouse or registered partner, children under 21 or dependent children, dependent ascendants of the EU or Swiss national, and, in the case of students, their spouse and dependent children.
 

Information for residents of the Kivu region (DRC)

Residents of North Kivu and South Kivu can submit their visa application (type C, short stay) in the following places if their main destination is Belgium, Germany (only for Congolese nationals), or Luxemburg:

Residents of DRC can only submit their visa application (type D, long stay) in DRC to the CEV in Kinshasa or the Consulate General in Lubumbashi, depending on the jurisdiction. The following applies to residents of the Kivu provinces: Congolese students with a scholarship from a Belgian or international organisation and family members of a refugee recognised in Belgium can exceptionally also submit their visa application (type D, long stay) at the following institutions:

Residents of North and South Kivu must take note that Congolese documents can only be legalized by the Embassy of Belgium in Kinshasa.


Schengen representation


Belgium currently represents 16 countries for the processing of short-stay visa applications (max. 90 days) from visa applicants with residence in Rwanda: Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland (+ Liechtenstein).

Congolese nationals and foreigners having their residence in one of the Kivu provinces can only apply for a Schengen visa at TLScontact if their main destination is Belgium, Germany (only for Congolese nationals), or Luxemburg. For the other Schengen member States and for residents outside of Kivu, please contact the relevant Embassy in Kinshasa.

Belgium also represents Luxembourg for handling of long stay visa applications (more than 90 days). 

  
Medical certificate and certified doctors


Retaining passport

Visa applicants may request to retain their passport after submitting their visa application so that they can travel back to Rwanda pending a decision. Once the visa application is approved, visa applicants will be notified by the embassy and can send their passport to the embassy in Nairobi using a courier service (e.g. DHL) for issuance of the visa. The shipping costs will be borne by the visa applicant.

  

Foto van een Belgische vlag, een pen en een blad papier waarop de woorden Visa application staan

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Competent authority for visa applications

All the information concerning visa applications for Belgium is available on the website of the Immigration Office of the FPS Home Affairs, which is the competent Belgian authority for access to the territory, stay, residence and removal of foreigners in Belgium.