4 Reasons the US Wants Travelers to Reconsider Rwanda Visits

What the Level 3 advisory covers

The U.S. State Department raised Rwanda to Level 3: Reconsider travel on May 17, 2026, citing crime, unrest and health risks. The U.S. Embassy in Kigali posted the update on May 10, following a department renewal dated May 6.

The advisory flags an increased risk of petty theft and violent crime, including mugging, armed robbery and assault. It warns that armed groups and military forces in neighboring countries can spill violence into Rwanda without warning and it carries a don't travel designation for areas within 10 kilometers of the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A health risk tied to the regional Marburg outbreak is also listed and the department says it has limited ability to provide emergency consular services in Rwanda because of the outbreak.

Who feels the change

The advisory is written for U.S. citizens, nationals and legal residents, not foreign travelers broadly. Rwanda sat at Level 2 in late 2024 after the U.S. eased measures tied to the earlier Marburg outbreak, so the jump skips a tier.

Nomads and long-stay visitors in Kigali face higher baseline caution and a clear no-go zone near the DRC. U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel to the border region and the department notes local law enforcement may not respond quickly in some situations.

Neighboring DRC, Uganda and South Sudan were raised to Level 4: don't Travel in the same period, reflecting the regional escalation the Rwanda notice references.

Practical details for travelers

A visa is required for entry. A 30-day tourist visa on arrival remains available at Rwandan ports of entry.

Drone rules still apply: a permit is required for recreational or commercial use and drones must be declared on arrival.

Key contacts listed in the advisory:

• Rwandan police emergency hotline: 112
• Crime reporting line: 078-831-1124
• U.S. Embassy Kigali: posted advisory updates on May 10, 2026

Level 3 advisories are reviewed at least every six months, so the next scheduled look falls by November 2026.

Read our full Rwanda guide for the complete picture and track more visa updates as the regional situation shifts.