--- title: "Moving to Rwanda 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Mountain gorilla in the forest of Volcanoes National Park # Moving to Rwanda 15 ways to move to Rwanda in our guide: 1 pay-to-stay route, 9 business / startup routes, 3 work visas, 1 student visa, 1 spouse visa. No digital nomad visa. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Longest first stay:** **3 years** Skilled worker H1 (demand list) Rwanda offers a clear set of temporary residence permits for people who want to live there without local employment, or who plan to run their own business in a specific sector. The routes are split between assured-income residents, entrepreneurs and investors, skilled workers, and students, so the first step is matching your situation to the right category. Retirees and others with assured income who will not work locally Entrepreneurs and investors in a named sector, from mining to IT Skilled workers with an employer or an occupation on the demand list Students enrolling at a Rwandan school ## Retire or live on savings · 1 ### [Assured income / retiree (K)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/k-assured-income-retiree/) **First stay:** 2 yrs Needs health cover Retirement [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/k-assured-income-retiree/) ## Business / Startup · 9 - [Entrepreneur A2 · Mining **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/a2-entrepreneur-mining/) - [Entrepreneur B2 · Farming **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/b2-entrepreneur-agriculture/) - [Self-employed C1 –](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/c1-self-employed-prescribed-profession/) - [Entrepreneur F2 · Manufacturing **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/f2-investor-manufacturing/) - [Trader G2 –](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/g2-trader-outside-region/) - [Entrepreneur O2 · Hospitality **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/o2-investor-hospitality/) - [Entrepreneur W2 · IT **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/w2-investor-information-technology/) - [Entrepreneur X2 · Logistics **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/x2-investor-transport-logistics/) - [Entrepreneur Z2 · Other sector **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/z2-investor-other-sector/) ## Work · 3 ### [Skilled worker H1 (demand list)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/h1-skilled-worker-occupation-on-demand/) **First stay:** 3 yrs Can work: yes [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/h1-skilled-worker-occupation-on-demand/) ### [Skilled worker H2 (employer)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/h2-skilled-worker-employer-sponsored/) **First stay:** 2 yrs [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/h2-skilled-worker-employer-sponsored/) ### [Company transfer Q1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/q1-intra-company-transfer/) **First stay:** 1 yr [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/q1-intra-company-transfer/) ## Student · 1 ### Student U1 **First stay:** 1 yr **Details** U1: Temporary residence permit - student - Renewable - Original police clearance is required for students above 18 - A travel document valid for at least six months is required Permit for a foreigner who is in Rwanda for study purposes. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4) #### What you must show and pay - A fee of RWF 20,000 (≈ $14) · Application fee for a new or renewed student permit. (source 1) #### Requirements - Original police clearance is required for students above 18. (source 1) - A travel document valid for at least six months is required. (source 1) - A recommendation letter from the school is required. (source 1) - A sponsorship letter is required. (source 1) #### Stay - Valid for one year; renewable with the same documents. - Initial permitted stay: 12 months. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Nationality EAC citizens do not pay for residence permits. #### Family Spouse and children may apply for a dependent permit (M2) with the same validity as the holder; the application fee is half of the holder's fee. Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Official site ↗](https://irembo.gov.rw/user/citizen/service/dgie/request_a_permit) ## Spouse visas · 1 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/spouse-of-citizen/) Needs certified translations [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/spouse-of-citizen/) **Free movement and visa-free stays · 2** - **[East African free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/free-movement-eac/)** · Lets you live here Open to 7 passports: [Burundi](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/burundi/), [Democratic Republic of the Congo](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/), [Kenya](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/kenya/), [Somalia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/somalia/), [South Sudan](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/south-sudan/), [Uganda](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/uganda/), [United Republic of Tanzania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/united-republic-of-tanzania/). - **[Visa-free stay (6 months)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/visa-free-6m/)** · Up to 6 months as a visitor Work not allowed Open to 7 passports: [Burundi](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/burundi/), [Democratic Republic of the Congo](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/), [Kenya](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/kenya/), [Somalia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/somalia/), [South Sudan](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/south-sudan/), [Uganda](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/uganda/), [United Republic of Tanzania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/united-republic-of-tanzania/). [Where each passport can live without a visa →](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/) ## Tax Rwanda taxes residents on both domestic and foreign-source income, with employment income taxed in monthly bands and business profit in annual bands. Tax residence is determined separately from your permit, so take advice on your own position. Standard rules ### [Rwanda: personal income tax 0-30%; residents taxed on domestic and foreign-source income](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/tax/#tax-rw-pit-resident-worldwide) 30% tax **Details** - On: Employment income (monthly bands): RWF 0-60,000 at 0% - Limit: RWF 60k/mo ≈ $41 A resident taxpayer is liable to personal income tax on all domestic and foreign-source income; employment income is taxed monthly at 0% to RWF 60,000, (≈ $41) 10% to 100,000, 20% to 200,000 and 30% above. #### Taxed on Employment income (monthly bands): RWF 0-60,000 at 0%; 60,001-100,000 at 10%; 100,001-200,000 at 20%; above 200,000 at 30%. Business profit (annual bands): RWF 0-720,000 at 0%; 720,001-1,200,000 at 10%; 1,200,001-2,400,000 at 20%; above 2,400,000 at 30%. These are the rates from the second year after commencement of Law 027/2022. #### Who it applies to - Resident individual: permanent residence in Rwanda; or habitual abode in Rwanda; or a Rwandan representing Rwanda abroad; or presence of 183 days or more in the tax period; or presence averaging more than 122 days in each of the two preceding tax periods. #### Exclusions - Non-residents are taxed only on Rwanda-source income. - Casual labourers are taxed at 15% (first RWF 60,000 (≈ $41) monthly at 0%). #### Limits - RWF 60,000 a month (≈ $41) · Monthly employment income up to this amount is taxed at 0%. - RWF 720,000 a year (≈ $490) · Annual business profit up to this amount is taxed at 0%. #### Days in the country - At least 183 days in the tax period · Presence in Rwanda in aggregate for 183 days or more makes an individual resident; permanent residence, habitual abode or a 122-day average over the two preceding periods are alternative tests. #### Tax residence Residents are liable to personal income tax on all domestic and foreign sources (Art. 12). #### Visas Tax residence follows the Law 027/2022 tests, not the immigration permit class. #### Other taxes Value added tax and social security contributions apply separately. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/tax/) Special regime ### [Rwanda: five-year exemption of foreign-source income for new residents working in the Kigali International Financial Centre](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/tax/#tax-rw-kifc-foreign-source-exemption) 0% tax **Details** - Who: Not resident in Rwanda in the five years immediately before becoming resident A resident who was not resident in Rwanda in the five years before becoming resident, and who works as an expert or professional directly for an entity carrying out Kigali International Financial Centre licensed activities, is exempt from personal income tax on foreign-source income during the first five years after becoming resident. #### Taxed on Foreign-source income of the individual; Rwanda-source income remains taxable at the ordinary rates. #### Who it applies to - Not resident in Rwanda in the five years immediately before becoming resident. - Works as an expert or professional directly for an entity carrying out Kigali International Financial Centre licensed activities. #### Exclusions - Exemption runs for the first five years after the date of becoming resident only. #### Tax residence Applies after tax residence is acquired under the Law 027/2022 residence tests. #### Visas Not tied to a particular permit class. #### Other taxes Rwanda-source employment income, VAT and social contributions remain payable. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/tax/) Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **No digital nomad visa in Rwanda.** Remote workers usually look at [Assured income / retiree (K)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/k-assured-income-retiree/), or [nomad visas elsewhere](https://settleanywhere.com/visas/digital-nomad/). ## Arriving in Rwanda: first steps 1. Arrange local medical insurance, which is required for the assured-income route and mentioned in its renewal. 2. Open a bank account in Rwanda, since a bank statement from a Rwandan bank is required for the assured-income route. 3. Prepare a detailed curriculum vitae and an application letter, which appear across the entrepreneur and worker routes. 4. If you are applying as an entrepreneur or investor, contact the DGIE Field Inspection and Law Enforcement department to arrange a field visit before applying. ## Questions people ask ### Can I retire or live in Rwanda on my savings or pension? Rwanda has 1 retirement or pay-to-stay route. [Assured income / retiree (K)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/k-assured-income-retiree/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### Can I move to Rwanda by starting a business? Rwanda has 9 business or startup routes. [Entrepreneur A2 · Mining](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/a2-entrepreneur-mining/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Entrepreneur B2 · Farming](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/b2-entrepreneur-agriculture/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. There is also [Self-employed C1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/c1-self-employed-prescribed-profession/). ### What work visas does Rwanda offer foreigners? Rwanda has 3 work visas. [Skilled worker H1 (demand list)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/h1-skilled-worker-occupation-on-demand/) gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. [Skilled worker H2 (employer)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/h2-skilled-worker-employer-sponsored/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Company transfer Q1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/q1-intra-company-transfer/) gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. ### How do I get a student visa for Rwanda? Rwanda has 1 student visa. Student U1 gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Rwanda? Yes. Rwanda has 1 spouse visa. It is [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/spouse-of-citizen/). ## Compare with [🇲🇦 Morocco](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/morocco/) [🇿🇦 South Africa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-africa/) [🇲🇺 Mauritius](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/mauritius/) [🇨🇻 Cabo Verde](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cabo-verde/) [🇰🇪 Kenya](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/) [🇳🇬 Nigeria](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/nigeria/) [🇬🇭 Ghana](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ghana/) [🇸🇨 Seychelles](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/seychelles/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. **Sources (4)** ## Official sources 1. [DGIE permit services: study and research permits](https://migration.gov.rw/our-services/permit/study-research) · Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, Rwanda · checked 2026-10-12 2. [Dependent permits (M1, M2, M3)](https://www.migration.gov.rw/our-services/permit/dependant) · Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, Rwanda · checked 2026-10-12 3. [EAC Partner States](https://www.eac.int/eac-partner-states) · East African Community · checked 2026-10-11 4. [DGIE permit services: general information](https://migration.gov.rw/our-services/permit/general-information) · Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, Rwanda · checked 2026-10-10