A residence permit in Rwanda lets a foreign national live in the country legally for longer than a visitor visa allows. Whether you are joining a spouse in Kigali, retiring on a pension, investing in a company or bringing your children while you work, you need the right permit class from the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE). Applications go through Irembo, and fees are set by the DGIE.
Kigali Business Setup helps you choose the class, prepare the documents and keep every family member's permit in date. We are an advisory service, not a law firm or a government office, and we connect you with accredited lawyers for complex cases.
Temporary and permanent residence
The DGIE issues two categories of residence permit, in line with Law No. 57/2018 on immigration and emigration:
- Temporary residence permits, issued in classes linked to your purpose: work, investment, study, dependants, NGO work, assured income and others.
- Permanent residence permits, for long-term residents. The DGIE says applicants should contact it before applying, and eligibility is assessed with the DGIE.
Most people start with a temporary permit. If you are coming to work, your work permit is your residence permit. This page covers the classes for people who are not employees.
Common residence permit classes
| Class | Who it is for | Fee (as of October 2026) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | Dependant of a Rwandan citizen | Per DGIE schedule | Per DGIE schedule |
| M2 | Dependant of a temporary resident | Half of the principal's fee | Same as the principal |
| M3 | Close relative of a permanent resident | Per DGIE schedule | 3 years |
| K | Person with assured income, including retirees | RWF 150,000 | Up to 2 years |
| Z1 and sector classes | Investors | RWF 150,000 | Up to 2 years |
| Recurring investor | Investors after earlier permits | RWF 250,000 | Up to 5 years |
| U1 | Student | RWF 20,000 | 1 year |
| N1 | Founder of an international NGO | RWF 150,000 | 2 years |
Source: DGIE permit pages on migration.gov.rw. EAC citizens do not pay for residence permits, and fees are not refunded if an application is denied or withdrawn.
Dependant permits for spouses and children
A spouse or child of a temporary resident applies under class M2. The fee is half of the principal's fee, so the dependant of an H2 employee paying RWF 150,000 would pay half of that, and the permit runs for the same period as the principal's.
You will need:
- [ ] Marriage certificate for a spouse
- [ ] Birth or adoption certificate for each child
- [ ] Police clearance for any dependant aged 18 or over
- [ ] Copy of the principal's valid permit
- [ ] Passport bio page and photo for each family member
Plan dependant applications together with the principal's. If the principal's permit is renewed late, the family's permits fall out of step too.
Retiring in Rwanda: the class K permit
Rwanda offers a permit for people with assured income, including retired foreigners who do not plan to work. The DGIE lists the fee at RWF 150,000 for up to two years and asks for:
- A retirement certificate or proof of pension
- Bank statements from a bank in Rwanda
- Local medical insurance
- A CV
The bank statement requirement means you need a Rwandan account first. Our guide to opening a bank account in Rwanda explains what banks usually ask for from foreigners.
Investors and business owners
If you own a company in Rwanda, you apply under an investor class such as W1 for IT, F1 for manufacturing or Z1 for other sectors. The DGIE asks for your business registration certificate and an investment certificate, among other documents. Renewal needs a trade licence, and a recurring permit after two or more permits needs a tax clearance certificate from RRA. Keeping your company registration and tax filings clean is therefore part of keeping your residence status.
The foreigner ID card
Once a residence permit with at least six months of validity is approved, you can apply at DGIE for a foreigner ID card. The DGIE lists one photo, the application form, a copy of the permit and a RWF 5,000 payment slip. It serves as your local identity document while the permit is valid.
Deadlines and grace periods
- First arrival: the DGIE gives first-time applicants 15 days after arrival before penalties apply.
- Expiry: there is a five-day grace period after a permit expires.
- Visitors: a visitor visa is not a residence permit. Most nationalities get a visa on arrival, but long stays need a permit.
We keep a calendar of every permit for our clients and start renewals early, so nobody in the family drops into penalty territory.
How we help
You can apply on Irembo yourself. Clients come to us because we:
- Match each family member to the correct class before any non-refundable fee is paid
- Check certificates, translations and police clearances against the DGIE list
- Complete and track the Irembo applications
- Coordinate with your employer or your own company on supporting documents
- Introduce accredited lawyers when a case needs legal advice
Moving the whole family? Our move to Rwanda guide covers housing, schools and daily life in Kigali. When you are ready, use the form on this page to tell us who is moving and when, and we will send you a document checklist and a quote for our support.
Frequently asked questions
What types of residence permit does Rwanda issue?
The DGIE issues two categories: temporary residence permits and permanent residence permits. Temporary permits come in classes linked to your reason for living in Rwanda, such as employment, investment, study, dependants or assured income. Permanent residence has its own process, and the DGIE asks applicants to contact it first.
How much is a residence permit for my spouse and children?
Dependants of a temporary resident apply under class M2. As of October 2026 the DGIE fee is half of the principal permit holder's fee, and validity matches the principal's permit. Marriage, birth or adoption certificates are needed, plus police clearance for dependants aged 18 or over.
Can I retire in Rwanda?
Yes. Class K is for a person with assured income, including a retired foreigner who does not intend to work. The DGIE fee is RWF 150,000 for up to two years. You need a retirement certificate, Rwandan bank statements, local medical insurance and a CV.
Do EAC citizens pay for a residence permit?
No. The DGIE states that citizens of East African Community member states do not pay for resident permits. EAC citizens also receive a free six-month pass on arrival, according to the DGIE visa on arrival page.
What happens if my permit expires?
The DGIE gives a grace period of five days after a permit expires. After that, penalties apply. First-time applicants have 15 days after arrival to apply before penalties. Start renewals early, because the file can be delayed by missing documents.
How do I get a foreigner ID card in Rwanda?
Once a residence permit with at least six months of validity is approved, apply at DGIE with one photo, the application form, a copy of the permit and a RWF 5,000 payment slip. Keep the card with you, as it is your local identity document while your permit is valid.
How do I apply for permanent residence in Rwanda?
The DGIE page on permanent permits says applicants should contact the DGIE before making any application. Eligibility depends on your history in Rwanda and is assessed case by case, so we help you gather your permit records and prepare questions before you contact the DGIE.