China visa requirements for Rwandans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Rwandans visiting China

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Chinese Visa.

  • A Rwandan passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Three passport-size photographs (4.5 x 3.5 cm) taken in white background.
  • Travel document must be complete.
  • Proof of financial capability.
  • Proof of accommodation/hotel reservations.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country.
  • A police report showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
  • Medical insurance that covers the entire duration of stay.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.

China Visa for Rwandans

Facts about China

China, officially the People's Republic of China is a country in East Asia and the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.404 billion in 2017. Covering approximately 9,600,000 square kilometres, it is the third or fourth-largest country by total area.  China’s political system was based on hereditary Monarchies or dynasties beginning with the semi-mythical Xia dynasty in 21st Century BCE.


China as a whole was ravaged by feudal warlordism with Japan during World War II. The Chinese civil war resulted in a division of territory in 1949 when the communist party of China led by Mao Zedong established the people’s republic of China on mainland China. Also the Kuomintang led nationalist government retreated to the Island of Taiwan where it governed until 1996 when Taiwan changed to democracy.


China’s economy has been one of the world’s fastest-growing with its annual growth rates consistently above 6 per cent. According to the World bank China’s GDP grew from $150 billion in 1978 to $12.24 trillion in 2017. In 2018, its GDP increased to $13.5 trillion (90 trillion yuan). Since 2010, China has been the country with the world’s second-largest economy by nominal GDP and the largest economy in the world by purchasing power parity in 2014.


China is also the world’s largest exporter and second-largest importer of goods and also the home to some of the world’s largest tech giants such as Huawei, Baidu, Tencent and Alibaba as it is the world’s most technologically advanced nation. Since 2019, China has the highest number of rich people in the world.

Types of China Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 4 days 30 to days
Business visa 4 days 30 to 60 days
Work visa 4 days 30 days
Student visa 4 days more than 180 days
Official visa 4 days 90 days

General Requirements for China Visa

  • A Rwandan passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Three passport-size photographs (4.5 x 3.5 cm) taken in white background.
  • Travel document must be complete.
  • Proof of financial capability.
  • Proof of accommodation/hotel reservations.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country.
  • A police report showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
  • Medical insurance that covers the entire duration of stay.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
China Tourist visa China Business visa China Work visa China Student visa China Official visa

China Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Chinese Tourist visa(L) is for  Rwandans who wish to visit china for leisure, pleasure and  tourism purposes.  It is issued to foreign visitors visiting China for a short period of time  to tour around freely. 
  • China tourist visas is sub-divided into three types:
      Single Entry allows for a single entry into china and is valid for 30 days to 60 days. 
      Double entry allows for two entries and is valid for 30 days to 60 days.
       Multiple entry allows for multiple entries and is valid for six months and a year for Rwandans. 
  • Only UK, US, Canadian and Argentine citizens are eligible for a 10-year China tourist visa with multiple entries. 
  • Rwandans applying for a Chinese tourist visa are expected to provide a copy of their return ticket and a hotel reservation for the duration of  their stay. 
  • The documents which are necessary during the application process should contain full contact information of the applicant. 
  • If when you leave China you are expected to apply for a new entry visa before you can enter China for a second time. 
  • The validity of a Chinese Tourist visa is between the issue date and enter date. Holders of a Chinese tourist visa are to enter 24 hours before the enter date.  
  • The duration of a Chinese visa is usually between a 30 to 60 days period. But the length of stay is sometimes decided by the Chinese consulate.  
  • Overstaying on Chinese Visa is prohibited. 
  • Applicants applying for a Chinese Visa are required to go to the embassy. Applications through mails are not allowed and will be refused at the Chinese Consulate. 
  • Multiple entry visa allows you to gain entry to China for up  to a year;despite this you can’t stay in China for a whole year. The embassy has to decide how long you can stay back in China.
  • A letter of invitation signed by the host which includes his/her home address and contact  information is required during the process. 
  • Employed visitors are to provide an employment letter which confirms their  employment in their home country. 
  • When travelling with an organised tour group, you won’t be issued an individual visa. Instead a group tour visa  would be issued to you which will contain the names of the members of the group. 
  • It takes abut 4 working days to process a Chinese tourist visa.

China Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Rwandan applicants who are eligible for a business visa are those who intend to visit China for business and commercial activities. 
  • With the China business or trade visa, Rwandans can attend trade fairs, visit and negotiate  clients, or sign contracts. 
  • The China M visa is for business and trade related activities.  While the China F visa is for non-commercial activities.  
  • Before the introduction of the Chinese M visa, the F visa  allowed holders of this visa to attend to business related activities. 
  • Now when F-visa is issued to foreigner, they are only allowed to attend a lecture, investigation, cultural or scientific programs. 
  • The validity of a Chinese M visa is usually 30 to 60 days, however extension depends on applicant’s personal reasons which are valid. 
  • The Chinese Business visa is extendable. Applicants who wish to apply for an extension are to apply seven days before the M-visa expires.
  • A letter of invitation or confirmation letter duly singed by an authorized Chinese institute is required. 
  • Also, a letter of invitation issued by a Chinese business or trade partner is to be provided by the applicant. 
  • A power of attorney is not needed when a third party or an agency is entrusted to submit your application documents with the Chinese Embassy or Consulate. 
  • The Chinese business visa can issued on a single, double or multiple entry. 
  • An original and photocopy of the applicant’s business registration certificate and tax clearance are required for the application process. 
  • Holders of a M-visa are not allowed to work in China. Foreigners who want to work in China are to apply for a work visa. 
  • The Chinese Multiple-entry visa is more expensive. Citizens of countries where there CVASCs (Chinese Visa Application Service Centers) exist would need to pay both the visa fee and service to the center. 

China Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Holders of a Chinese Work Visa(Z) are eligible to work in China or take up  employment from a Chinese company.
  • Foreigners with a Chinese work visa who intend to visit China for a paid job or commercial entertainment performances in China.  
  • The holders  of a Chinese work visa are legally allowed to work in China. Without one, it becomes illegal to work or be employed during the duration of your stay in China.
  • Applicants aged between 18-60 years are only eligible to apply for a work visa. Although those who are not within this age range can also apply if they can find an employer who is willing to give them approval. 
  • The  work visa has 30 days validity from the date of arrival in China. 
  • During the duration of your work visa, you and employer have to seek for a temporary residence permit for the duration of the employment contract. 
  • The Chinese work visa allows only for a single entry. 
  • Before an employee is granted a work visa, he/she has to obtain a work permit issued by a the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the PRC through their employers.
  • Unlike the work visa, the residence permits multiple entries up to a year.  
  • Applicants are expected to have a letter confirming their employment status with a Chinese company. 
  • Non-Rwandans are expected to provide a copy of a valid re-entry pass or resident permit. 
  • Rwandans who working without a work visa are to pay a fine or suffer a jail term sentence. 
  • An official letter of invitation  written with the company letter head indicating the terms of employment and the address of the company is to be provided. 

China Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Rwandan Students who intend to study in China can apply for this type of visa. 
  • The Chinese student visa is sub-divided into two types; the X1 and X2 visa. 
  • The X1 visa is a long term which allows applicants to study in China for more than 6 months while the X2 visa is issued to students to study for a short period for just six months. 
  • Students who apply for this visa are authorized to work part-time or apply for internships during the duration of their stay. 
  • If you obtain a X1 visa you are mandated to apply for a temporary residence permit  from the Public Security Bureau within 30 days upon entry into China. 
  • The JW201 and JW202 forms are submitted during the X1 application process. 
  • The JW201 and JW202 issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education and the notice of admission from your school is required. 
  • The JW201 / JW202 form  is to be submitted at consulate or embassy during your application for the Chinese student visa(Xvisa).
  • The JW201 form is meant for those studying in China on a full scholarship while JW202  is for studying in China on a partial scholarship. 
  • People who are under the age of 18 years, the original copy of your birth certificate should be provided. A notarized letter of consent signed by both your parents should be provided. 

China Official Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The official visa is issued to foreigners who intend visiting China for official purposes.
  • An official letter of invitation from the Chinese government should be provided. If the letter is signed by any other organization which is not part of the government, then the visit will not be defined as official.
  • If the applicant is holding an ordinary passport, the type of visa that will be issued cannot be diplomatic or official.
  • As a Rwandan diplomat, if the purpose of your visit to China cannot be defined as official, you will not be issued this visa.
  • A diplomatic note from the Kenyan government should be provided. The note should clearly state information about the purpose of your visit, the duration of your visit and your status in the government.
  • Copy of your valid re-entry or resident permit if you are not a Kenya national.
  • If you are traveling with a minor, you are required to possess the original copy of the minor’s birth certificate.
  • Only the single-entry official visa will be issued to applicants.

China Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

140.00 (USD)

Business visa

140.00 (USD)

Work visa

140.00 (USD)

Student visa

140.00 (USD)

Official visa

140.00 (USD)

China Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Rwanda

Location

Address

Kigali

44 Boulevard De La Revolution

chinaemb_rw@mfa.gov.cn

+250-78570843/5/9

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Chinese visa?

If you have applied for a Chinese visa with all the necessary documents, it takes about four days to get a visa approval(for express it takes only two days). 

What are the attractions in China's Capital city?

Beijing is China's capital city and has been so for over 700 years. The Great Wall is a great tourist destination;it   is the world's longest wall and greatest ancient architecture.  And also, the forbidden city is a place to visit too when you are in China;it is China's best preserved imperial palace and the world's largest. It served as a home to Emperors and was the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government for 500 years.

What is the best time to travel to China?

There is no particular time to travel to China. The weather in China fluctuates from the coldest months to the hottest months. But the recommended months  to travel to China is between April to October  during when the weather is the most comfortable.  

What's China's Currency?

The Chinese currency is called Renminbi. The unit of Renminbi is yuan and its fractional currency is jiao. One yuan equals ten jiao.