Rwanda Passenger Locator Form

Q: What is the Rwanda Passenger Locator Form?

The PLF is an electronic public-health registration used by Rwandan authorities to collect contact and travel details and, when required, proof of a negative PCR test. Complete the form on the RBC portal ( RBC PLF ) and save the emailed Unique Health Code (UHC) and QR code for airline check-in and immigration. Start your application now .

Q: Who needs the Rwanda Passenger Locator Form?

Most travelers who arrive, transit or depart through Rwanda must submit the PLF within the specified window. Each traveler aged 16+ should file individually; parents may include dependants under 16 on their form. For exemptions and special cases see the RBC guidance and contact Rwanda Migration .

Q: What happens if I arrive without a valid PLF?

Arriving without the required confirmation can delay immigration clearance, cause missed transfers, or require you to complete the form at the airport which takes time. Airlines may also refuse boarding without the PLF/Qr code or required test certificate — submit the form before you travel to avoid problems.

Q: Can I edit or correct my PLF application after submission?

If you notice an error, contact RBC or your point of assistance immediately; some fields may be editable via the RBC portal prior to departure. If you used DoVisa, contact support for help updating non-government fields — we can advise and direct you to the official edit process.

Q: Is a departure Rwanda Passenger Locator Form also required?

There is no separate outbound-only document beyond the standard PLF submission window used for arrivals/transits. Policies have evolved since 2020 — always confirm current departure/arrival rules on the RBC portal ( RBC PLF ) before you fly.

Q: Which airports and seaports accept this document?

Present your PLF confirmation at immigration at any Rwandan entry point. Main international airports: Kigali International Airport (KGL) , Kamembe International Airport (KME) . Other airfields with scheduled services include Gisenyi (GYI) and Butare (BTQ) . Rwanda is landlocked — land border crossings are used for regional entry.

Q: Can I apply from my mobile phone?

Yes — the RBC PLF portal is mobile-friendly and accepts uploads of PCR certificates and hotel confirmations. For guided completion and file checks, use DoVisa and save the emailed QR code to your phone and cloud storage as backup.

Q: How far in advance should I apply for the PLF?

Submit the PLF within the RBC window — typically no earlier than 120 hours (5 days) before departure and no later than check-in. We recommend applying 24–72 hours before your flight to allow time for corrections. Apply now for guided submission.

Q: What is the step-by-step application process?

The process is: 1) Open the RBC PLF portal or DoVisa. 2) Enter passport, contact and itinerary details and your hotel or address in Rwanda. 3) Upload a negative PCR certificate if required. 4) Review and submit. 5) Save the email with your UHC/QR code for check-in and immigration.

Q: Do children need their own Rwanda Passenger Locator Form?

Children under 16 travelling with a guardian may be listed on a parent or guardian's submission if they arrive and depart together and share the same accommodation. Otherwise each traveller should have their own entry. Check RBC notes and include minors on your PLF as required.

Complete the Rwanda Passenger Locator Form (PLF) online — submit within 120 hours before departure and receive an email confirmation with a QR code.

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What Is the Rwanda Passenger Locator Form?

The Rwanda Passenger Locator Form (commonly abbreviated as PLF) is a government-run electronic health and contact-tracing form required of most travelers to, from or through Rwanda. Introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to help public-health authorities rapidly notify and manage potential exposures, the PLF collects passport details, contact information, recent travel history and your planned address in Rwanda. The form is administered by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) through its online portal.

Travelers apply on the official RBC portal at https://rbc.gov.rw/traveldemo/ or use DoVisa for guided completion if you prefer extra help and document checks. Per RBC guidance, the PLF submission window is limited — the electronic form is typically accepted only within 120 hours (5 days) before your scheduled departure to Rwanda. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation email containing a Unique Health Code (UHC) and a scannable QR code that airlines and Rwandan immigration officers may request at check-in and on arrival.

This is a public-health and contact-tracing registration — not a visa or entry permit. The PLF helps speed processing at Kigali International Airport and other entry points but does not replace immigration checks or visa requirements set by the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration. Because policy updates have occurred since 2020, some official pages note changes to pre-departure requirements; always confirm the current rule on the RBC portal before you travel.

Key facts: submit within 120 hours before departure, keep your UHC/QR code offline and in email, and have visa or visa-on-arrival documents ready for immigration. See Rwanda visa information and the official RBC portal above. When you're ready, Apply for your Rwanda Passenger Locator Form now.

Who Needs the Rwanda Passenger Locator Form?

Who Needs It

All persons arriving, transferring, transiting and departing through Rwandan ports of entry (air, land) are generally required to submit the PLF
Each traveler aged 16 and above travelling alone must complete an individual submission
Parents or guardians must include dependants under 16 on their submission when children arrive and depart together

Who Is Exempt

Rwandan nationals
Diplomatic and official passport holders on government business
Airline and vessel crew members on active official duty

Rwanda Entry Requirements & Restrictions

Passport Validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival and have at least one blank page for entry stamps; confirm specifics with your airline. See Travel.State.Gov — Rwanda.

PCR Test & Health Documents

RBC guidance requires a negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate taken within 120 hours before departure to be uploaded when completing the PLF on the RBC portal (RBC PLF), where specified.

Yellow Fever Vaccination

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required when arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. Check the GOV.UK and CDC pages for the current list of risk countries and accepted certificates.

Customs & Prohibited Items

Rwanda prohibits importing items such as narcotics, firearms and ammunition, ivory and certain wildlife products, pornography and other goods listed by Rwanda Revenue Authority. See RRA prohibited goods.

Drones & Restricted Equipment

Declare drones and similar equipment on arrival; they may be confiscated or held without proper permits. Check the RRA guidance and obtain permits before travel if needed.

Travel Tips for Rwanda Visitors

Rwanda is a compact, hilly country in East Africa known for Volcanoes National Park and mountain gorillas. Most international flights arrive at Kigali International Airport (KGL). Other airports with scheduled service include Kamembe International Airport (KME), Gisenyi (GYI) and Butare (BTQ). Land crossings with neighbouring countries (DRC, Uganda, Tanzania) are important entry points — check local border conditions.

Currency: Rwandan Franc (RWF). US dollars are widely accepted in tourist lodges and for gorilla permits, but carry local currency for markets and taxis.
Language: Official language is Kinyarwanda; English and French are widely spoken, especially in Kigali and tourist areas.
Time zone: Rwanda uses GMT+2 (Central Africa Time).
Gorilla permits: Book Volcanoes National Park permits in advance — they are limited and required on entry.
Health: Stay up to date on routine vaccines; consider hepatitis A and typhoid as recommended by CDC.
Transport: Arrange airport transfers in advance; roads outside Kigali can be rough and driving after dark is not recommended.
Customs: Declare drones and restricted goods; review the RRA prohibited items before packing.
Connectivity: Buy a local SIM on arrival for reliable mobile data and to receive PLF confirmation emails.

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Claire N.Feb 10, 2026

"Needed the Rwanda Passenger Locator Form before my Kigali trip. Submitted the PLF and uploaded my PCR; confirmation with a QR code arrived by email in under an hour — smooth check-in at my departure airport and fast immigration at KGL."

Samuel T.Jan 18, 2026

"Filling the PLF on my phone was straightforward. Support helped attach the hotel booking and the Unique Health Code was emailed quickly. Immigration at Kigali was efficient."

Amina R.Dec 3, 2025

"DoVisa assisted with the Rwanda Passenger Locator Form when we booked a gorilla trek — the QR confirmation saved time at the airport and our lodge details were accepted without issue."

Daniel M.Nov 20, 2025

"Submitted the PLF during a layover and uploaded the PCR certificate. The email confirmation arrived before check-in and the airline scanned the QR without problems."

Beatrice K.Oct 9, 2025

"Process was clear but I had to resize my test certificate photo once. Support responded quickly and the confirmation email included the UHC and QR code as promised."

Tomás L.Sep 14, 2025

"Helpful for a business trip to Kigali. The PLF instructions reminded me about passport MRZ and hotel booking — everything was ready at immigration."

Eunice W.Aug 22, 2025

"Quick service but one field label was confusing (arrival vs transit). After a chat with support the submission was corrected and accepted at arrival."

Mohammed A.Jun 30, 2025

"Minor delay: confirmation arrived later than expected so I had to show email headers at check-in. Support sorted it; immigration still accepted the QR on arrival at KGL."

Lydia P.May 12, 2025

"Family trip — we completed a PLF for each adult and added children under our form. The process and the emailed QR codes made arrival much easier."

James O.May 3, 2025

"Fast and clear. The confirmation included the Unique Health Code and airline check-in accepted it without questions. Good for a last-minute safari booking."

Claire N.Feb 10, 2026

Samuel T.Jan 18, 2026

"Filling the PLF on my phone was straightforward. Support helped attach the hotel booking and the Unique Health Code was emailed quickly. Immigration at Kigali was efficient."

Amina R.Dec 3, 2025

"DoVisa assisted with the Rwanda Passenger Locator Form when we booked a gorilla trek — the QR confirmation saved time at the airport and our lodge details were accepted without issue."