Layers
Download
Sample checklist: Joseph Mensah, in Rwanda since 2009, prepares his application for nationality by residence. Sample checklist: Joseph Mensah, in Rwanda since 2009, prepares his application for nationality by residence.

Ready, not blank.

Download the checklist in Word

The checklist is written. Tick your documents and fill in your 15 years of permits.

Then. Upload the documents on Irembo, or bring them to DGIE or your District Immigration Office, and keep the billing number.

Requirements for Rwandan citizenship — your dossier checklist is ready

Under the 2021 nationality law you can apply for Rwandan nationality by residence after at least 15 years of legal residence in Rwanda, with good conduct, knowledge of Rwandan culture and civic values, good social relations and sufficient means. You apply on Irembo, at DGIE or a District Immigration Office, or at an embassy if abroad. The fee is RWF 10,000, DGIE gives six months for processing, Cabinet decides and you take an oath. Marriage to a Rwandan is a separate ground: 5 years of marriage. The checklist and CV below are ready to fill in.

Updated: · Next check: 2027-02-07

Requirements for Rwandan citizenship Opening…
Requirements for Rwandan citizenship: first page
Download Word Save + deadline reminder

We use your email only to send the file and the reminders you ask for. Unsubscribe in one click.

Send:

We will ask you to confirm this address, then email you the recipient’s reply.

Open full screen

Start typing right in the document — no sign-up. It stays in this browser; save it to your free Layers account to keep it, open it on your phone and share it.

Enter a date — we’ll count the deadlines

 

  • Check the status (DGIE: six months)type the date
  • Application file no longer valid (3 years)type the date

Check your own case.

DGIE may ask for more information during the six months. After 3 years the file lapses and you apply again.

Embed on your site

Paste this code on your site (law office, school, blog) — readers fill in the template right on your page, free.

Lida, Layers template assistant

Lida, Layers template assistant

Count your residence permits year by year before you apply: gaps break the 15 consecutive years.

Keep the Irembo billing number with your file.

Full text of the checklist

Replace what is in square brackets. It is the same text as the Word file.

Download in Word (.docx) Free, no sign-up · CC BY 4.0 license

Rwandan nationality by residence: dossier checklist and detailed CV

Legal basis: Organic Law No 002/2021.OL of 16/07/2021 governing Rwandan nationality, article 16; Ministerial Order No 007/01 of 23/03/2022, article 5.

1. Conditions

  • ☐ At least 15 years of legal residence in Rwanda on the date of application. First entry: [DATE]. Years covered: [FROM]–[TO]
  • ☐ Integrity and good conduct
  • ☐ Knowledge of and respect for Rwandan culture and traditions
  • ☐ Knowledge of Rwandan civic values
  • ☐ Good social relations in Rwandan society
  • ☐ Sufficient means
  • ☐ No threat to national security

2. Documents

  • ☐ Copy of birth record
  • ☐ Copy of passport · No. [PASSPORT NUMBER]
  • ☐ Copies of residence permits for 15 consecutive years · [FROM YEAR]–[TO YEAR]
  • ☐ Letter on conduct from the Executive Secretary of the Cell · Cell [CELL], Sector [SECTOR], District [DISTRICT]
  • ☐ Certificate of property in Rwanda or of work
  • ☐ Criminal record certificate
  • ☐ Colour photo, white background
  • ☐ Detailed CV (part 4)
  • ☐ Birth certificates of children under 18 · [NAMES OR «NONE»]
  • ☐ Proof of payment, RWF 10,000 · Billing no. [NUMBER]

3. Steps

  1. Apply on Irembo (Immigration and Emigration → Rwandan nationality by acquisition → Residence), at DGIE, at the District Immigration Office where you live, or at a Rwandan embassy or consulate.
  2. Pay RWF 10,000 with the billing number.
  3. Follow up after six months. DGIE may ask for more information.
  4. Cabinet decides. Your name is published in the Official Gazette.
  5. Pay RWF 100,000 for granted nationality, as DGIE tells you.
  6. Take the oath. Receive the certificate within 60 days of publication and register with the civil registrar.
  • Submitted on: [DATE] · Where: [IREMBO / DGIE / DISTRICT OFFICE / EMBASSY]
  • Application or billing number: [NUMBER]
  • Follow-up date: [DATE]

The file stays valid for 3 years from the date it is received.

4. Detailed CV

Identity

  • Surname and given names: [NAMES]
  • Date and place of birth: [DATE], [PLACE, COUNTRY]
  • Nationality: [NATIONALITY]
  • Document and number: [PASSPORT OR OTHER] [NUMBER]
  • Father: [NAMES] · Mother: [NAMES]

Family

  • Marital status: [STATUS]
  • Spouse: [NAMES], [NATIONALITY]
  • Children under 18:
NameDate of birthPlace of birthNationality
[NAME][DATE][PLACE][NATIONALITY]

Residence in Rwanda

FromToAddress (Village, Cell, Sector, District)Permit and number
[MM/YYYY][MM/YYYY][ADDRESS][PERMIT]

Education

YearsInstitutionCountryQualification
[YEARS][INSTITUTION][COUNTRY][QUALIFICATION]

Work

FromToEmployer or own activityPositionPlace
[MM/YYYY][MM/YYYY][EMPLOYER][POSITION][PLACE]
  • Means of support: [SALARY / BUSINESS / OTHER]
  • Property in Rwanda: [DESCRIPTION]

Life in Rwanda

  • Community activities: [ACTIVITIES]
  • Languages: [LANGUAGES]
  • What I know of Rwandan culture and civic values: [SHORT STATEMENT]

Declaration

I declare that the information in this CV is true and complete.

[PLACE], [DATE]

Signature: ____________________
[FULL NAME]

Deadlines

The rules, with the source

WhatDeadlineSource
ResidenceAt least 15 years of legal residence and actual life in Rwanda on the date of application; the Ministerial Order asks for proof of the last 15 consecutive yearsOrganic Law 002/2021.OL, art. 16; Ministerial Order 007/01 of 2022, art. 5
Other conditionsIntegrity and good conduct, knowledge of Rwandan culture and civic values, good social relations, sufficient means, no threat to national securityOrganic Law 002/2021.OL, art. 16
MarriageA separate ground: at least 5 years of legal marriage to a Rwandan, still living togetherOrganic Law 002/2021.OL, art. 11
Where to applyIrembo, DGIE head office, the District Immigration Office where you live, or a Rwandan embassy or consulateDGIE; Irembo
DocumentsBirth record, passport, residence permits for 15 consecutive years, conduct letter from the Cell Executive Secretary, property or work certificate, criminal record certificate, photo, detailed CV, birth certificates of children under 18DGIE
Application feeRWF 10,000, non-refundableMinisterial Order 007/01 of 2022, art. 31; DGIE
ProcessingSix months (Irembo: 180 days); DGIE may ask for more informationDGIE; Irembo
DecisionCabinet grants nationality by acquisition; your name is published in the Official GazetteOrganic Law 002/2021.OL, arts. 24–25
Fee when grantedRWF 100,000Ministerial Order 007/01 of 2022, art. 32
OathIn public, before the District Mayor (in Kigali, the District Executive Administrator) or a consular officerOrganic Law 002/2021.OL, art. 26; Ministerial Order 007/01 of 2022, arts. 17–18
CertificateWithin 60 days of publication; then you register with the civil registrarOrganic Law 002/2021.OL, arts. 27–28
File validity3 years from the date it is receivedOrganic Law 002/2021.OL, art. 44

Your children under 18 become Rwandan with you. Rwanda allows dual nationality: you declare another nationality within 3 months of getting it. Whether your other country allows it is its own law.

Step by step

What to do, in order

  1. 1

    Check the 15 years

    Count your permits.

  2. 2

    Ask the Cell

    Letter on your conduct.

  3. 3

    Get the certificates

    Criminal record, property or work.

  4. 4

    Fill in the CV

    Template below.

  5. 5

    Apply on Irembo

    Pay RWF 10,000.

  6. 6

    Follow up

    After six months.

Questions

What are the requirements for Rwandan citizenship?

By residence: at least 15 years of legal residence in Rwanda, good conduct, knowledge of Rwandan culture and civic values, good social relations, sufficient means and no threat to national security. The law has other grounds, such as marriage, investment or special skills.

Is it still 5 years of residence?

No. Five years was the rule of the 2008 law, which was repealed. The 2021 law asks for 15 years. Five years now applies to marriage with a Rwandan.

How much does it cost?

RWF 10,000 to apply, non-refundable, and RWF 100,000 once nationality is granted, under the Ministerial Order of 2022.

How long does it take?

DGIE gives six months; Irembo says to check the status after 180 days. Cabinet takes the decision and the certificate comes within 60 days of publication in the Official Gazette.

Do I have to give up my other nationality?

The Rwandan law does not ask for it and allows dual nationality. Check whether your other country allows it.

Is there a language test?

The law asks for knowledge of Rwandan culture and civic values. A language test is not in the law or the Ministerial Order.

Official sources

Other documents

All templates: Rwanda →

Keep the papers in one place

Letters, receipts and notices in one folder you can share with family or a lawyer. The templates and the editor are free; Layers is free for up to 20 people.

Start free Get the Word file

This is a checklist and general information, not legal advice. We are not DGIE or Irembo. Cabinet decides on nationality.