Rwanda
Corporate Guide

If there is no requirement to have a local director or shareholder in Rwanda, what is the process of obtaining a work permit for foreign employees?

Article 32 provides that a foreigner who is authorised to reside in Rwanda temporarily or permanently is required to:

• register with the nearest office of the Directorate General; and
• comply with legal obligations as provided for by the law.

Almost all foreign nationals are required to apply for a visa to enter and stay in Rwanda. They also need a work permit, as a visa only allows entry to the country but not employment. Applicants should have a valid passport or another type of travel document with at least six months of validity on the day they enter Rwanda. 

A foreigner can apply for the visa upon arrival or apply online before leaving their home country. The visa fee is either due online or upon arrival and ranges from free to USD 150 depending on the nationality of the foreigner and the purpose of the visit. The other option is applying to the Rwanda Diplomatic Mission in their country of residence.

A work permit in Rwanda is obtained by applying to the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration for a specific category of permit, as every permit has its own requirements and fee which varies from USD 150 to USD 250 depending on the category of the permit. The application can be done through the irembo.gov.rw portal. 

The application is made by the foreign employee, accompanied by the employment contract, employee recommendation letter, their certified academic documents and their curriculum vitae.