Guinea-Bissau entry requirements for Rwanda passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Rwandan passport holders can get a visa on arrival at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau. The process is straightforward but requires a few documents ready before you land. As of 2026, this is the standard entry method for tourism and short business visits.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival Visa on arrival | Get your visa on arrival at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB) in Bissau. Have 55 EUR or 35,000 XOF in cash ready for the visa fee — the counter does not accept cards. You'll fill out a short form and hand over your passport; the process takes about 10 minutes.Visa info | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your Rwandan passport needs at least one blank page for the visa sticker. Guinea-Bissau does not enforce a 6-month validity rule — just make sure it covers your entire stay. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Guinea-Bissau | Immigration officers at Bissau airport ask for a printed or digital onward ticket. A flight out of the country within your intended stay is enough — no specific minimum stay is enforced. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Have a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host ready. Officers rarely ask for it, but if they do, a printed booking confirmation or a phone number of your host works. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Carry enough cash (EUR or XOF) for your stay — there are no ATMs that reliably accept foreign cards outside Bissau. A bank statement or credit card is not accepted at the border; cash is king. | Recommended |
Cash only at visa-on-arrival counter
The visa fee must be paid in cash — no cards accepted. Bring euros or CFA francs in small denominations. US dollars may be accepted but euros are preferred. ATMs in Bissau are unreliable.
Yellow fever certificate recommended
While not always checked, having a yellow fever vaccination certificate can prevent delays. Get the vaccine at least 10 days before travel.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport
After landing, follow signs to immigration. There's a dedicated visa-on-arrival counter. Queue there before the main passport control line.
2
Present documents and pay the visa fee
Hand over your passport, return ticket, and accommodation confirmation. The officer will process the visa and collect the fee (cash in CFA francs or euros). Keep small bills handy.
3
Receive visa sticker and proceed to passport control
The officer will affix the visa sticker into your passport. Then go to the main passport control booth for entry stamping. Total time: 15–30 minutes on a normal day.
Download Guinea-Bissau Entry Checklist
PDF · Rwanda Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry, 30 days)
Max stay30 days, non-extendable
Validity3 months from issue
Cost55,000 XOF (~$90 USD)
Obtainable on arrival at airport or at Guinea-Bissau embassy abroad.
Tourist visa (multiple entry, 90 days)
Max stay90 days total, max 30 days per visit
Validity6 months from issue
Cost110,000 XOF (~$180 USD)
Must be applied for at a Guinea-Bissau embassy; not available on arrival.
work visa
Autorização de Trabalho (Work Permit)
1 year, renewable
~200,000 XOF (~$330 USD) plus processing fees
For foreign nationals with a job offer from a Guinea-Bissau employer. Requires employer sponsorship, contract, and approval from the Ministry of Labour.
investor visa
Visto de Investidor (Investor Visa)
2 years, renewable
~500,000 XOF (~$820 USD) plus proof of investment
For individuals investing at least $50,000 USD in a local business or real estate. Requires business plan and registration.
student visa
Visto de Estudante (Student Visa)
1 year, renewable annually
~100,000 XOF (~$165 USD)
For enrolment in a recognised educational institution in Guinea-Bissau. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (single entry, 30 days)Payable in cash (XOF, EUR, USD) at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport. | 55,000 XOF (~$90 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are assessed at immigration upon departure. | 5,000 XOF (~$8 USD) per day, max 50,000 XOF (~$80 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Incomplete travel documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Guinea-Bissau
No transit visa needed
Rwanda passport holders transiting through Guinea-Bissau's Osvaldo Vieira International Airport do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. However, if you need to enter the country (e.g., to change airports or overnight), a visa on arrival is required.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsOsvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB)
Health & vaccines for Guinea-Bissau
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (Rwanda is not endemic, but proof may be requested if transiting through an endemic area).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, varicella, influenza)RecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderMeningococcal meningitisConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country; prophylaxis recommended for all travellers.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; outbreaks occur, especially during rainy season.
CholeraLow risk
Occasional outbreaks; ensure safe food and water.
Malaria risk: high
Malaria is present year-round in all regions. Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine prophylaxis is recommended. Use insect repellent and bed nets.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Bissau
Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros (SME)
Avenida Amílcar Cabral, Bissau
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:30
Main immigration office for visa extensions and permits. Bring passport, photos, and fee in cash.
Bafatá
Delegação do SME Bafatá
Rua Principal, Bafatá
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00
Regional office for inland travellers; limited services.
Practical information for RW travellers
Country basics
CapitalBissau
LanguagePortuguese
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyWest African CFA franc (XOF)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 574.19 XOF
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h
vs Los Angeles+8h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,E,FTypes C (Europlug), E (French), and F (Schuko) are used.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
The visa on arrival costs around 55,000 CFA francs (about €85) for a single-entry tourist visa. Pay in cash — euros or CFA francs are accepted. US dollars may be accepted but bring euros or CFA to be safe.
The standard visa on arrival allows up to 30 days. Extensions are possible but require a visit to the immigration office in Bissau. Start the process a week before your visa expires.
Yes, but it's not automatic. You'll need to go to the Serviço de Migração e Fronteiras in Bissau. Bring your passport, a passport photo, and the extension fee (around 10,000–20,000 CFA). Allow a few days for processing.
Yes, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Rwanda is not on the high-risk list, but border officials may still ask. Get the vaccine and carry the certificate.
Visa on arrival is available at most land borders, but the process is less predictable. The airport in Bissau is the most reliable. If crossing by land, have all documents ready and expect possible delays.
There is no e-visa system for Guinea-Bissau. The visa on arrival is the standard method. Pre-arranged visas are possible through the embassy in Dakar, Senegal, but it's more hassle than it's worth for most travellers.
Your passport (6+ months validity), a printed or digital return ticket, and proof of accommodation. They may also ask for a passport photo — carry two just in case. Cash for the fee is essential.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.