Rwanda
Corporate Guide

Are there different classes of work permits in Rwanda?

Yes. There are different types of work permits which the law describes as temporary resident permits. They are provided for under Article 13 of the Ministerial Order on Immigration and Emigration. These different categories / classes of temporary resident permits are:

Class A

This permit is issued to a foreigner who intends to engage in prospecting for minerals, mining or other related activities in Rwanda. It is divided into three sub-classes: 

• A1: Investor 
• A2: Entrepreneur
• A3: Recurring applicant

Class B

This permit is issued to a foreigner who intends to engage in agriculture, animal husbandry or other related activities. It is divided into three sub-classes:

• B1: Investor
• B2: Entrepreneur
• B3: Recurring applicant

Class C

This permit is issued to a foreigner with a prescribed profession or with qualifications and skills including professional players and artists. This class is divided into two sub-classes:

• C1: Entrepreneur with prescribed profession 
• C2: Professional player or artist

Class D

This permit is issued to a diplomat representing their country in Rwanda and foreigners who are working in international or regional organisations with diplomatic status and their dependents. The validity of this permit depends on the accreditation period of the diplomat. This is divided into three sub-classes: 

• D1: A diplomat who is accredited to Rwanda. 
• D2: A foreigner who is working in an international or regional organisation with diplomatic status. 
• D3: Issued on a reciprocal basis, to a foreigner accredited to Rwanda as a diplomat. Its validity is determined by the reciprocal agreement or existing practice between Rwanda and the country the diplomat is representing.

Class E

This permit is issued to a foreigner employed on a contract basis by the Government of Rwanda, including foreigners who work in tertiary institutions of learning or parastatals, or who provide technical assistance under a bilateral agreement between Rwanda and another country or an international organisation. A holder of this permit may be exempted from permit fees in accordance with the existing agreements. It has two sub-classes: 

• E1: Issued to a foreigner employed on a contract basis by the Government, including foreigners who work in tertiary institutions of learning or parastatals.
• E2: Issued to a foreigner who provides technical assistance to Rwanda under a bilateral agreement with another country or with an international organisation.

Class F

This permit is issued to a foreigner who intends to engage in manufacturing or processing on their account or as part of a partnership. This class of permit has three sub-classes:

• F1: Investor
• F2: Entrepreneur
• F3: Recurring applicant

Class G

This is a permit issued to a foreigner who intends to engage on their account or in a partnership in the business of a specific trade of goods or services. It is divided into three sub-classes: 

• G1: Issued to a foreigner who engages in the trade of goods or services and who is a national of a country within the region (East African Community and La Communauté Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs), or any other country or community, as determined by the relevant organs.
• G2: Issued to a foreigner who engages in a specific trade of goods or services and who is a national of a country outside the region in which Rwanda is situated.
• G3: This permit may be issued to a foreigner who engages in specific trade of goods or services and who has already acquired similar residence permit twice before.

Class H

This permit is issued to a foreigner with specific employment by a specific employer. This class is divided into seven sub-classes:

• H1: Issued to a foreign skilled worker whose skills are on the occupations in demand list and who possesses the qualifications or relevant work experience. This permit is valid for a period of three years and is renewable.
• H2: Issued to a foreign worker sponsored by their employer and who possesses the required qualifications or relevant work experience. This permit is valid for a period of two years.
• H3: Issued to a foreign journalist or foreign media representative who holds an accreditation from the competent Rwandan authorities. This permit is valid for a period of two years.
• H4: Issued to a foreign semi-skilled worker or artisan who is a national of one of the countries within the region.
• H5: This permit is issued to a foreigner who works in an international or regional organisation.
• H6: This is issued to a foreign employee based on a special agreement or a reciprocal basis.
• H7: Issued to a foreign professional researcher who is not accredited to any school, research centre or any other institution of learning.

Class O

This permit is issued to a foreigner who invests in the accommodation sector and other related activities. This class is divided into three sub-classes: 

• O1: Investor
• O2: Entrepreneur
• O3: Recurring applicant