jules39

I am a not a US citizen but live here. I know I do need a visa to enter Rwanda but am not sure if I am abe to use the online "entry facility" at the web site www.migration.gov.rw or if I actually have to send my passport to Washington. My agent suggested I can use the web site application but I am not sure. I have emailed the Rwandan ebassy but thought I would also ask here.

Thanks J

OnlyMeOirish

Hi Jules, I can't answer your question but I can tell you that, even if you don't get the Visa in advance of your trip, it only takes a few minutes to get it on arrival in Rwanda.

Imelda

jules39

Hi Imelda

I am actually hoping to get it on arrival but the wesite implies that if there is an embassy in the country you are in you have to do it there.

Thanks J

OnlyMeOirish

Jules,
I know when we got our visa on arrival the clerk at the desk said to us that we could / should use the online facility in future but it wasn't a problem getting our visa there and then. I think they are trying to cut out the paperwork on entry. I have just looked over the website and it doesn't say that you MUST use the embassy to get your visa. I'd say that it wouldn't be a problem getting a visa on arrival but I'm only guessing based on our experience - I don't think they'd refuse to issue you one if everything is in order. One more thing, is there an embassy in your 'home' country? If not then you can most likely use the online facility as they won't know you're not living there.

Imelda

PS, when are you off?

jules39

No Imelda there is not an embassy in the country of my passport. I was hoping to get an email back from the embassy but no luck yet
Thanks
J

Lucia78

Jules have you sorted this out yet? If not, I am seeing the Rwandan Ambassador to the US tomorrow and can ask your question then if you supply some specifics.

jules39

Lucia

Thanks so much for the offer but I got sorted! I have the entry facility letter so I can get my visa on arrival.
If I may ask what do you get to meet with the Rwandan Ambassador for. Sounds exciting!
Thanks again for asking.
J

Lucia78

Great, glad to hear it! I'm meeting with the Ambassador as I work on Capitol Hill on Foreign Affairs and we haven't touched base with him after my and my boyfriend's trip to Rwanda this summer. Also, my boyfriend made a documentary about Rwanda and he is showing it to the Ambassador and Embassy staff tomorrow.

You're going to have a great time! Just soak it all up.

Denbasking

Dear Lucia78:

"I'm meeting with the Ambassador as I work on Capitol Hill on Foreign Affairs"

I am sure I am not alone in the desire to hear more about your job if possible and...

"Also, my boyfriend made a documentary about Rwanda and he is showing it to the Ambassador and Embassy staff tomorrow."

is there a way for us to see your boyfriends film?

Merci, Den

jules39

Thanks again Lucia. I also would love a chance to see the documentary. Your work meetings sure beat mine!!! Although it could be dangerous for me surrounded by people from all these fantastic places because I would spend even more time planning how to get away! We are looking forward to it all.
Take care J

Lucia78

Jules I know what you mean. I definitely have the travel bug and while I do get to travel for work, I have about 10 actual vacation days a year so that's no fun!

Den...hmmm...I think my job sounds more glamorous than it is...although I do love it. I work for a Congressman advising him on Foreign Affairs and am transitioning to a new job working for another member of Congress on Foreign Operations (how the U.S. spends its $$$ overseas). I love the work and get to learn new things everyday, which is very cool.

The documentary...I'm hoping that someday it might actually air in some way. At the moment, it's still in draft form (although I think it's really good as is). We showed it to the Ambassador today who was quite impressed and had a couple of suggestions. My boyfriend originally wanted to put it on You Tube, but he has a series of copyright hurdles he has to overcome first (songs he's used and some news footage). It's a look at Rwanda's past and how it has recovered today. I'll let him know there's interest here though, maybe he has some ideas on how we might be able to make it available online.

We had a great chat with the Ambassador and it really brought me back to Rwanda. The Embassy is full of the baskets that I wish I had bought while I was there! I told him about this fodors forum and he was so pleased to hear that there's a place for travellers to advise on travel to Rwanda.

Denbasking

Lucia78:

>I love the work and get to learn new things everyday, which is very cool.<

Very cool to love your work, thanks.

>The documentary...I'm hoping that someday it might actually air in some way. I'll let him know there's interest here though, maybe he has some ideas on how we might be able to make it available online.<

That would be wonderful; I certainly left part of my heart in Rwanda…

>The Embassy is full of the baskets that I wish I had bought while I was there! I told him about this fodors forum and he was so pleased to hear that there's a place for travellers to advise on travel to Rwanda.<

I too loved the beautiful handmade baskets, the women that I met making baskets said each shape and design has a different meaning.

Den

Rosenose

Lucia78 -- Cool. I did not realize that your boyfriend was doing a film on Rwanda. Did he include anything from our shared gorilla trek?

I referred someone to you as best I could about a month ago. I have some posts up on Trip Advisor, and one contains my email address, so I get emails occasionally with questions. I was just checking this forum to see if that person posted something trying to contact you, and noticed this post.

I am glad to see that you are still working -- given the many changes after the election. Neat that you are carrying on with African issues. If you recall my daughter--now a sophomore in high school--she is raging about Darfur. Any suggestions for her other than looking at who is now on the House & Senate Foreign Relations Committees [Boxer from California?] and trying to communicate her concerns. After Rwanda, she has a good understanding of what genocide means. But then, those legislators are focused elsewhere this month.

Regards,

Betsy Kimball

Lucia78

Hi Betsy,

Nice to hear from you. I wish I had good suggestions on Darfur. I honestly think the best thing the general public can do is to keep staying interested and staying in touch with your legislator. The groundswell of public opinion has made it much easier for many of us on Capitol Hill to advocate and get $$ and assistance to Darfur. But it is a terrible situation that is getting worse each day. If your daughter would like to talk offline send me your email address and I'll drop you a line.

Rosenose

My home email is [email protected].