Residency
Residency and Work Permits
Every nationality can get a visa on arrival in Rwanda. To stay, you apply for a residence permit from inside the country, online through IremboGov, within 15 days of arrival. Most new temporary permits cost RWF 150,000 and last up to two years.
- Legal residence for permanent residence (L-1)
- 10 years4
- Legal residence for permanent residence (L-1)
Visas
- Visa on arrival for every nationality: at most USD 50 for a single entry (30 days) and USD 70 for multiple entries.
- Citizens of African Union, Commonwealth and Francophonie countries pay nothing for a 30-day visit.
- East African Community citizens get a free six-month pass.
Source: Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Visa on arrival; Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Visitors visa5,6
The main permit classes
| Situation | Class | Fee | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investor with an RDB investment certificate | By sector | RWF 150,000 | Up to 2 years; recurring up to 5 years for RWF 250,000 |
| Entrepreneur or trader without a certificate | Entrepreneur, G1, G2 | RWF 150,000 | Up to 2 years |
| Employee sponsored by an employer | H2 | RWF 150,000 | 2 years |
| Job on the occupations in demand list | H1 | RWF 150,000 | Up to 3 years |
| Professional working on own account | C1 | RWF 150,000 | 2 years |
| Retiree or person with an assured income | K | RWF 150,000 | Up to 2 years |
| Family of a temporary permit holder | M2 | Half the principal’s fee | As the principal’s permit |
Source: Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Business investor permits; Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Business investor and entrepreneur permits; Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Employment permits; Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Other permits; Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Dependant permits7,1,8,9,10
Permanent residence
The main route is class L-1, after ten years of legal residence in total. Senior staff of multinationals of special interest can use L-3. Both cost RWF 300,000, and DGIE asks applicants to contact it before applying.4
Applying
- Apply on IremboGov, with or without an account; paid permits get a billing number starting with 88.
- Processing takes about seven days; collect the permit from DGIE or the immigration office where you live.
- Retirees on class K show a Rwandan bank statement and local medical insurance.
Source: IremboGov: How to apply for a permit; IremboGov: Frequently asked questions about permits; Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Other permits11,3,9
Sources
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Business investor and entrepreneur permits
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Permits, general information
- IremboGov: Frequently asked questions about permits
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Ministerial Order N°06/01 of 29/05/2019 relating to immigration and emigration (PDF)
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Visa on arrival
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Visitors visa
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Business investor permits
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Employment permits
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Other permits
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Dependant permits
- IremboGov: How to apply for a permit
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
