Work Permits in Rwanda
Step by step
How to apply for a work permit in Rwanda
A work permit in Rwanda is a residence permit in an employment class, applied for from inside Rwanda on IremboGov. Most classes cost RWF 150,000.
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Choose the class
Use H2 for a worker sponsored by an employer, H1 for a job on the occupations in demand list or Q1 for an intra-company transfer.
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Prepare the documents
For H2 or H1, prepare the employment contract, certified academic certificates, the employer’s recommendation letter, a detailed CV and a police clearance.
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Apply on IremboGov
Fill in the application on IremboGov, upload the documents and pay the billing number.
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Collect the permit
Collect the permit from DGIE or the immigration office of your district. It may not run longer than the employment contract.
The employment classes
| Class | For | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| E1 | Contract with the government or a parastatal body | RWF 150,000, or free under an agreement |
| E2 | Technical assistance | RWF 100,000 |
| H1 | Skilled worker in a job on the occupations in demand list | RWF 150,000 |
| H2 | Skilled worker sponsored by an employer | RWF 150,000 |
| H3 | Accredited journalist or media representative | RWF 150,000 |
| H4 | Semi-skilled worker or artisan from the region | RWF 50,000 |
| H5 | Staff of an international or regional organisation | RWF 150,000 |
| H6 | Employee under a special or reciprocity agreement | On reciprocity |
| C2 | Professional player or artist | RWF 100,000 |
| N2 | Employee of an NGO | RWF 150,000 |
| J | Worker with refugee status in another country | RWF 150,000 |
| Q1 | Intra-company transfer or regional office staff | RWF 150,000 |
Figures checked November 2026. A guide only, not tax, legal or financial advice.
Sources for the calculator
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Employment permits
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Business investor and entrepreneur permits
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Other permits
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Permanent permits
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Dependant permits
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Permits, general information
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Ministerial Order N°06/01 of 29/05/2019 relating to immigration and emigration (PDF)
Documents for an H2 permit
- A copy of the employment contract.
- Certified academic certificates.
- A recommendation letter from the employer.
- A detailed curriculum vitae.
- A police clearance from the country where you lived for the previous six months.
H1 asks for the same documents. To renew either, DGIE asks for the contract and the employer’s letter. A permit may not run longer than the employment contract.
Intra-company transfers (Q1)
Q1 is for an employee of a multinational or regional company with an international or regional office in Rwanda. It is valid for one year and renewed only exceptionally. The Ministerial Order asks for proof of affiliation between the two companies, a contract with the foreign company at least as long as the stay, a criminal record certificate and a letter from the Rwandan company accepting the transfer.
Changing employer
A work permit holder may change employer by informing DGIE in writing. Investors with an RDB investment certificate of at least USD 250,000 may hire three foreign employees without a labour-market test.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a work permit cost in Rwanda?
RWF 150,000 for H1, H2 and most employment classes. H4, for regional semi-skilled workers, costs RWF 50,000.
What is the H1 work permit?
H1 is for jobs on the occupations in demand list. It is valid for up to 3 years.
What is the Q1 class?
Q1 is for intra-company transfers. H2, for employer-sponsored staff, is valid for 2 years.
Sources
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Employment 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: Permits, general information
- Rwanda Development Board: One Stop Centre, investment registration
Figures checked 8 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.
