Application for refugee status
Law n° 042/2024 governing refugees and applicants for refugee status · Official name: Refugee status - Law n° 042/2024 of 19/04/2024
Rwanda decides refugee claims itself. Under Law n° 042/2024 (Official Gazette of 19 April 2024), a person must be in Rwanda and report to the nearest office of the immigration and emigration organ (DGIE) within seven days of entry, or to the local authority, which takes them there. The applicant gets a temporary residence permit valid for three months (renewable), is interviewed, and must receive a decision within six months (extendable with reasons), notified in writing within seven days. Refusals can be appealed to an Appeal Tribunal for refugees, and then to the competent court within 30 days. The Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) leads refugee affairs policy with UNHCR.
1 entry rule for Rwanda based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Rwanda
Finance
3
Currency
Rwandan Franc
RWF
Rwandan Franc
Cost of living
26
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–30%
Income tax (national)
VAT 18% · social security 6%
Monthly PAYE: 0% up to RWF 60,000, 10% to 100,000, 20% to 200,000, 30% above RWF 200,000.
Living
1
Happiness
#3 of 3 countries
World Happiness Report 2021
Who it’s for
People in Rwanda who fear persecution or serious harm in their own country, including people already living lawfully in Rwanda who cannot return.
Eligibility
Report within 7 daysApplicant
You need to be in Rwanda and report to the nearest immigration and emigration office within seven days after entry, to apply and register.
- Reporting to the local authority is also possible
Official wording
The applicant must be on Rwandan territory and report to the nearest office of the organ in charge of immigration and emigration within seven days after entry, to apply and register. Reporting to the local authority is also possible.
Written applicationApplicant
The applicant submits a written application setting out the grounds and any evidence.
Already in RwandaResident
If you live lawfully in Rwanda and cannot return, you may apply before your residence permit expires.
- Applies to people already living lawfully in Rwanda
Official wording
A person living lawfully in Rwanda who cannot return may apply before their residence permit expires.
Sign in to read the full guide (free)
The full steps, your rights while you wait, and free legal help contacts are free for anyone with an e-Passage account. You can turn on sensitive mode for discreet emails.
- 1 more requirement
- 4 documents
- 2 fees
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
Other routes to Rwanda
- Visit & tourismVisitor's visa for holiday (V1), visa on arrival and East Africa Tourist Visa
- StudyStudent permit (class U1) and related study & research permits
- Work permitsTemporary Residence Permit for Employment - Class H2 (Employer-Sponsored Skilled Worker) / H1
- 3 more routes with Premium
