Non-Immigrant Visas

General Information

To qualify for a visitor or student visa, an applicant must meet the requirements of Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sections 101(a)(15)(B) or (F) respectively. Failure to do so will result in a refusal of a visa under INA 214(b).

The most frequent basis for such a refusal concerns the requirement that the prospective visitor or student possess a residence abroad he/she has no intention of abandoning.

Applicants prove the existence of such residence by demonstrating that they have strong ties abroad that would compel them to leave the U.S. at the end of the temporary stay.

The law places this burden of proof on the applicant.  Find more information at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi_denials.html

Please note that Embassy Kigali only processes non-immigrant visas, e.g.: tourists, businessmen, students, officials, spouses (K3) with valid immigrant petitions, workers (H1-B) with valid petitions, and asylee / refugee family reunifications.

Legal Rights and Protections for Certain Employment or Education-based Nonimmigrants– Notice: Informational Pamphlet is Now Available!

The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (WWTVPRA) of 2008 was signed into law on December 23, 2008, by the President. The Act makes several changes to nonimmigrant visa classification criteria, visa processing requirements, and the grounds for inadmissibility under INA section 212(a)(2)(H).

The changes under this provision of this law, relate to the legal rights of certain employment or education-based nonimmigrants under Federal immigration, labor, and employment laws.  Additionally, this law outlines the information to be provided to certain nonimmigrants about their rights, protections and available resources.  When working or studying in the United States temporarily, we want to ensure each nonimmigrant is aware of his/her rights, as well as protections and resources available, To learn more, review the Nonimmigrant Rights, Protections and Resources pamphlet, Online version or Printer double-sided version.

For information on immigrant visas, e.g., green card lottery, fiancés (K1), adopted orphans, please go to the "Immigrant Visas" section of this webpage, http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/ or http://www.uscis.gov/

Who is NOT eligible for a US Visa? http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/ineligibilities/ineligibilities_1364.html

Find the requirements for crossing US borders at: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/index.shtm

For more information on entering the United States: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/