DO YOU PLAN ON VISITING OR WORKING IN RWANDA? OUR TAKE ON HOW THIS HAS BEEN MADE VERY EASY FOR YOU TO ACQUIRE A VISA OR A WORK PERMIT;

DO YOU PLAN ON VISITING OR WORKING IN RWANDA? 

OUR TAKE ON HOW THIS HAS BEEN MADE VERY EASY FOR YOU TO ACQUIRE A VISA OR A WORK PERMIT BY YOUR BEST LAWYERS IN RWANDA;

In brief, the body in charge is the office of the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration which is in charge of any immigration issues in Rwanda. It is responsible for issuing visas, passports and other immigration documentations as well as regulating immigration issues and procedures in Rwanda. The main categories of Visas are the Entry visa, the Resident visa or Work permit and Visitor’s visa.

This is what you should know about the Entry into Rwanda and the Entry Visa

As an exhibition of Rwanda’ s massive efforts for investment promotion, with effect from January 2018, Nationals from all countries across the world started receiving Visas on arrival at Kigali International airport and all Land borders.

Citizens of Member States of the African Union, Commonwealth and Organisation Internationale de laFrancophonie are entitled to a visa, free of charge for a period of thirty (30) days.

Citizens of the East African Community Member States (Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi) are issued a pass/entry visa free of charge upon arrival for a period of six (6) months.

In addition, and in a special category, citizens of Uganda and Kenya are allowed to use their National Identity Cards in the process of entry into Rwanda by being issued with an interstate pass.

It suffices to point out that, for foreigners who wish to drive their foreign vehicles into Rwanda and while crossing the border post, they are required to have the vehicle logbook, letter of authorization from the vehicle owner if they don’t own such vehicle together with a copy of his or her Passport or National ID if he or she is East African, COMESA insurance and a valid driving licence.

This is what you should know about Work/Resident Permits

Work permits also referred to as resident permits are categorized and issued depending on the type of work a person is going to engage in on their own or under an employment contract.

First of all, persons employed under a certain employer in Rwanda, they are required to obtain the visa categorized in Class H.

However, for business owners in Rwanda, they qualify for the permit categorized in Class G. In particular, business owners who are Nationals of a country within the region (East African Community “EAC” and Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries “CEPGL”) qualify for the Permit sub class “G1” whereas business owners in Rwanda who are not Nationals of a country within EAC and CEPGL, qualify for the permit sub class G2. The fundamental difference between these two permits is that sub class G1 is free of charge while sub class G2 is paid for. The main requirements for application of Permit G are the following;

1. Any genuine acceptable travel document valid for a period not less than 6 months;
2. Passport photo with white background; (One of our Clients recommended travelers to use: https://mybiometricphotos.com/visa-photo/rwanda/ stating that it was very helpful her as far as ensuring that she meets the photo requirements.
3. Visa/Permit application form;
4. Application letter addressed to the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration;
5. Company Registration Certificate;
6. Criminal Record Certificate from the country of residence for the past (6) six months;
7. Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV);
8. Application Fees for foreigners applying for Visa sub class G2.

N.B:   This work Permit is valid for a period of two years and is renewable upon application.

Dependent Pass

If the person with a temporary resident permit has dependents such as children or a spouse, such children or a spouse will be considered as dependents and they will be issued with a Dependent Pass Sub Class “M2”. The requirements for application of this permit are the following;

1. Any genuine acceptable travel document valid for a period not less than 6 months;
2. Application letter;
3. Visa/Permit application form;
4. Passport photo with white background; (TIP, some travelers use: https://mybiometricphotos.com/visa-photo/rwanda/ stating that it is very helpful as far as ensuring that your photo meets the photo requirements.
5. Copy of marriage certificate (for a dependent Spouse)
6. Copy of birth Certificate (for dependent Children)
7. Criminal Record Certificate from the country of residence for the past six (6) months for applicants who are above eighteen (18) years of age)
8. Copy of the principal applicant’s work permit
9. NB. This permit has the same validity as the work permit of the principal applicant and can be renewable upon application

This is what you should know about Visitors’ Visa

The visitors’ Visa has many categories and the eye catching ones include the ones indicated hereunder;

Itinerant Business

If you are a foreign investor in Rwanda, board member or representative of a multinational company and you don’t reside in Rwanda but due to your significant business activities, you wish to regularly travel to Rwanda, in this case, you need an Itinerant Business Visa which is valid for a period of 2 to 10 years and can be renewable upon application.

Bridging Visa

This is the type of visa issued to a foreigner who has lost status of stay in Rwanda while he or she prepares to leave or apply for a new status. For example, if a foreigner intends on starting a gaming business in Rwanda, and his or her entry visa expires before he or she can be issued with a licence to start the business, in such cases, such foreigner applies for a bridging visa which is valid for a specified period but cannot exceed 90 days nevertheless it can be renewable in exceptional circumstances.

Job Search

There are circumstances where a foreigner who wishes to work in Rwanda is in the process of searching for a job. In such cases, the foreigner applies for a visa sub class V4 which is valid for 90 days and is renewable upon application.

Conference and meetings

For foreigners who intend to enter Rwanda for conference, meeting, workshop or any other related activities, they apply for visitors visa Sub Class V5 and it is valid for 30 days and is free of charge for countries which have a visa waiver arrangement with Rwanda including African Union, Common Wealth and Organisation Internationale de laFrancophonie.

VISA TRANSFER

There are instances where a foreigner with a visa loses his or her Passport. In the event that he or she is issued with a new Passport he or she would require his or her Visa to be transferred in his or her new Passport. At Stabit Advocates Rwanda, we are ready to assist you through this process. All you need is a copy of the lost visa, visa transfer fee, the new passport and the filled in application forms.

At Stabit Advocates, our team of Professionals  and the Best Lawyers are ready 24/7 to assist you in the application, renewal and transfer of any category of Visa you might need. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us using the contact details indicated hereunder;

Drafted and Drawn by;

Stabit Advocates Rwanda

Email: info@stabitadvocates.com

Tel: +250789366274

Your Top Lawyers in Rwanda

Website: www.stabitadvocates.com