Permanent residence permit
Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration · Official name: Permanent Residence Permit
Rwanda's Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE) issues two categories of residence permit: temporary and permanent. DGIE publishes no eligibility list, fee or checklist for permanent permits; its only instruction is that applicants contact DGIE before making any application. Rwandan nationality by acquisition on grounds of residence (15 consecutive years) is described separately (see RW.NATURALISATION).
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
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Long-term foreign residents of Rwanda; DGIE decides who may apply.
Eligibility
Contact DGIE firstApplicant
Sign in to check this route against your profileDGIE states that the applicant should contact DGIE before making any application for a permanent permit. No published eligibility criteria were found.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklist
- Fees
- Steps to apply
The full requirements are for members
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- 1 document
- 1 fee
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Before you pay anyone, check their licencePlaces to visit in Rwanda
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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
