Visa Renewal

Or: Red tape to fight corruption.

My visa for Rwanda had to be extended. The basic process is documented at the website of the Direction Générale de l'Immigration et de l'Emigration. The fee for a visa renewal is RWF 25000 (approximately CHF 50), you need an application letter, a passport size photo, a completed application form, and your passport. Locals advised me to write an application letter in the Director's name and have it signed (and stamed!) by the university's Vice Rector of Academic Affairs, together with my official invitation letter and terms of reference, for better chances to get through the process on the first attempt. Thanks for the hint, it worked perfectly!

What is not documented is this: You have to pay the fee at a branch of BCDI to an account that hopefully the clerk at the bank can tell you. Going to another bank is an error. The payment slip you are supposed to bring to RRA, the Rwanda Revenue Authority, who will exchange it for another snipped of paper that completes your application pack. Do not enclose 25000 in cash, that could be seen as bribery. Do also not attempt to pay 25000 directly at RRA, that could be seen as bribery too. If Rwanda is one of the least corrupt countries in Africa, then red tape is the price they pay for it. Not even directors of university research centers are allowed to have "petit cash," everything needs to go through the whole hierarchy...

By the way: I'd rather not know what harrassment a Rwandese citizen would have to suffer who wants to get/extend a visa for Switzerland...