Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Applications |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| CW-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| CW-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-1 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| H-1B | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | N/A | N/A 3 |
| H-2B | None | N/A | N/A 3 |
| H-2R | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| I | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | None | Multiple | 14 Months |
| L-2 | None | Multiple | 14 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 15 Months 3 |
| R-1 | None | Multiple | 28 Months |
| R-2 | None | Multiple | 28 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| TD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Available
Fees: Approximately 500 RWF
Document Name: Acte de Naissance (Birth Certificate)
Issuing Authority: Sector-level government
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Original copy is oversized white piece of paper with stamped seal
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Registration Officer
Registration Criteria: The sector-level government needs to receive that hospital birth certificate or attestation by a midwife identifying the name of the mother and gender of the child within 15 days of the child’s birth to register the child’s name with the government authorities. If a child’s parents do not register the birth with sector authorities within 15 days, they must petition the court to obtain an acte de naissance for the child.
Procedure for Obtaining: An increasing number of Rwandan records are available via the Irembo e-Service system or an Irembo agent. If this document is not available via Irembo, it is available from the local or sector-level government.
Certified Copies Available: Varies
Alternate Documents: Extrait d’Acte de Naissance
Exceptions: None
Comments: An attestation de naissance is often erroneously translated as a birth certificate; however, it is equivalent to a birth affidavit in the United States and may be obtained at any time with no supporting documentation or verification of facts. An attestation de naissance is NOT valid for immigration purposes. The acte de naissance and the extrait d’acte de naissance are the only legal birth certificates in Rwanda and are the only birth documents accepted by Embassy Kigali. Court-ordered actes de naissance are often dated several years after the birth and are can be based on unreliable attestations. Courts require little proof of identity, dates of birth, or parentage in order to issue court judgments permitting the creation of a birth document. As such, late-dated court-ordered actes de naissance can provide questionable proof of parentage or age.
Available
Fees: Approximately 2,000 RWF
Document Name: Actes de decès (death certificates)
Issuing Authority: Sector-level government
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Original copy is oversized white piece of paper with stamped seal
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Registrar
Registration Criteria: Hospital death certificates are most often the source document for actes de decès and Rwandan authorities usually trust that they are authentic. If the deceased did not die in a hospital, municipal authorities or other witnesses who know of the decedent can register the death before sector officials to obtain the attestation. Civil registry officials in the local municipality where the death occurred register deaths and provide both the acte de decès and attestation de decès.
Procedure for Obtaining: An increasing number of Rwandan records are available via the Irembo e-Service system or an Irembo agent. If this document is not available via Irembo, it is available from the local or sector-level government.
Certified Copies Available: Varies
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: An attestation de decès (attestation) is equivalent to an affidavit or statement in the United States and may be obtained with no supporting documentation. It may be issued in any sector, not necessarily the one where the death occurred. An acte de decès is a more detailed document issued at the sector where the death occurred, which goes back and confirms the original registration of death; it serves as full legal documentation of death. The acte de decès is the only legal death certificate issued in Rwanda, and is the only death document accepted by U.S. Embassy Kigali. An attestation de decès is not acceptable.
Available
Fees: Approximately 500 RWF
Document Name: Acte de mariage
Issuing Authority: Sector-level government
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Original copy is oversized white piece of paper with stamped seal
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Registrar
Registration Criteria: Engaged couple must bring an attestation de celibat (attestation of celibacy), or certification of singleness, to sector officials. When presenting themselves to a civil registrar to marry, celebrants must show their birth certificates. In some cases, civil registrars require that the celebrants also show proof that they published a public announcement stating their intent to marry. Upon completion of the requirements, civil registrars present the celebrants with a livret de mariage (marriage book), which documents their marriage. The livret de mariage is not legal proof that a marriage occurred.
Procedure for Obtaining: An increasing number of Rwandan records are available via the Irembo e-Service system or an Irembo agent. If this document is not available via Irembo, it is available from the local or sector-level government.
Certified Copies Available: Varies
Alternate Documents: Extrait d’Acte de Mariage
Exceptions: None
Comments: Rwandan law does not recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships, and thus Rwandan officials do not issue documents to same-sex couples for the purpose of marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership. Rwandan law also does not recognize religious marriages; only marriages properly registered with civil authorities are considered legal. An attestation de mariage, which is equivalent to a marriage affidavit or statement in the United States, may be obtained at any time with no supporting documentation or verification of facts, and is often erroneously translated as a marriage certificate. An acte de mariage (marriage certificate) is a more detailed document issued at the sector level where the marriage occurred which goes back and confirms the original registration. It is issued on oversized paper with no security features. The acte de mariage and the extrait d’acte de mariage are the only legal marriage certificates issued in Rwanda and are the only marriage documents accepted by U.S. Embassy Kigali.
Available
Fees: Approximately 1,500 RWF
Document Name: A) Copy of final court judgement and b) attestation de divorce
Issuing Authority: Local government
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Registrar
Registration Criteria: Divorces are granted by local courts at the request of one of the celebrants to a marriage. Once the court issues a divorce judgment, the individual presents it to the civil registrar at the location where the marriage was celebrated.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicant should contact the Civil Registrar at the place the marriage was celebrated.
Certified Copies Available: Varies
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Legal proof of divorce in Rwanda is sometimes considered just a copy of the final court judgement. However, the U.S Embassy routinely requires both a copy of the final court divorce judgment and an attestation of divorce. Divorce decrees issued by foreign courts must first be authenticated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (known as MINAFFET) before they can be presented to a civil registrar. Actes de divorce (divorce certificates) are no longer issued.
Available
Fees: Approximately 1,500 RWF
Document Name: Acte d’adoption (adoption certificate) and the subsequent court judgment confirming and finalizing the adoption.
Issuing Authority: Sector-level government
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Original copy is oversized white piece of paper with stamped seal
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies
Registration Criteria: Adoptions are registered at the sector level, resulting in an acte d’adoption. The adoption must then be confirmed by the homologué (court). Only once the adoption is confirmed is it considered legal. A complete adoption package will include the acte d’adoption and the court judgment confirming and finalizing the adoption. A stand-alone adoption certificate without a court judgement is not sufficient proof of adoption for immigration purposes.
Procedure for Obtaining: An increasing number of Rwandan records are available via the Irembo e-Service system or an Irembo agent. If this document is not available via Irembo, it is available from the local or sector-level government.
Certified Copies Available: Varies
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Rwanda suspended intercountry adoption from 2010-2017. While the suspension was formally lifted in 2017, no intercountry adoptions had taken place as of late 2018.
Rwandan digital national ID cards were released in August of 2009. They resemble a plastic driver’s license, with the Rwandan flag on one top corner and the government seal on the other, just above a large photo of the bearer surrounded by a white oval halo. There is a smaller copy of the photo on the bottom corner on the same side as the flag. The main design, in the center of the card behind the identifying details, is a sunburst. The rays are green with a yellow / orange sphere in the background. Blue “rays” extend to the edges of the card. The writing on the card, in both English and Kinyarwanda, is as follows: Republic of Rwanda (top of the card between the flag and seal), National Identity Card, Names, Date of Birth, Sex, Place of Issue, Signature, and along the bottom, National ID No., which starts with a 1, then the year of birth of the holder, followed by 10 additional numbers.
The back of the card features a digital scan strip, another small copy of the bearer’s photo, the government seal in blue placed over the flag, and an orange sun in the center. The writing on the bottom of the government seal reads: “Ubumwe, Umurimo, Gukunda Igihugo”.
The veracity of Rwandan national ID cards relies heavily upon breeder documents, such as actes de naissance, which are easily counterfeited. Embassy Kigali is unaware of any fraud prevention activities undertaken by the Rwandan National Identification Agency to authenticate such documents prior to issuing an ID card. As such, the ID card is only as reliable as the breeder document presented to obtain it.
Available
Fees: Approximately 1,200 RWF
Document Name: Extrait du casier judiciaire (Criminal record clearance)
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Justice Headquarters, Kigali.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: White paper with printed color seals at top left and right corners, stamped seal and signature at the bottom right
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Prosecutor General
Registration Criteria: No specific criteria. There is no minimum residency requirement to obtain a police certificate.
Procedure for Obtaining: An increasing number of Rwandan records are available via the Irembo e-Service system or an Irembo agent. If this document is not available via Irembo,
applicants should contact the Ministry of Justice headquarters in Kigali or a Rwandan Embassy abroad. Both English and French versions are acceptable for immigration purposes.
Certified Copies Available: Varies
Alternate Documents: A Criminal Investigation Clearance issued by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) is an acceptable substitute for U.S. immigration purposes, as it requires the applicant to first obtain the Extrait du casier judiciaire (Criminal record clearance). This document is on white paper with a stamp overlapping the applicant’s photograph at the top and a stamp overlapping the signatories name at the bottom. It is signed by the Director General of Criminal Investigations.
Exceptions: None
Comments: This document states whether the named has any pending criminal charges against them in Rwanda or whether the subject was previously convicted of a crime, including crimes related to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Availability varies
Comments: Court and prison records can be difficult to obtain. The U.S. Embassy considers them unavailable if the applicant can document the steps they took to try to obtain the records.
Unavailable
Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): Regular, Service, Diplomatic
Fees: Approximately 50,000 RWF
Document Name: Passport
Issuing Government Authority: Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no Issuing Authority Personnel Title.
Registration Criteria: First-time applicants age 16 years and above require a completed application form, a recommendation letter issued at the administrative cell level, copy of a valid identity card and the original card, a recently-taken passport photo on a white background, a payment slip, and physical presence of the applicant.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should contact the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration. Rwandans who reside overseas may renew their passports at the nearest Rwandan embassy.
Alternate Documents: Rwandan citizens can obtain a laissez-passer which resembles a passport. However, it is only valid for travel to certain East and Central African countries. It is not valid for travel to the United States.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Other Documents Available: There are no Other Documents Available.
Not applicable
Post Title: Embassy
Address: 2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie (Kacyiru), P.O. Box 28 Kigali, Rwanda
Phone Number: (250) 252-596-400, Fax: (250) 252-580-325
Email: consularkigali@state.gov
All visa categories for Rwanda
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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