Your first 90 days in Rwanda: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Rwanda enforces its rules precisely and expects the same of residents — permit conditions, tax filings and even the monthly community-work morning (Umuganda) are taken seriously, and non-compliance is noticed. The upside is that the system genuinely works when you follow it; the downside is that informal workarounds common elsewhere in the region do not fly here.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Apply for the residence permit online through the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration's IREMBO/DGIE portal
Before your entry stamp expires — most nationalities get 30 days on arrival, and permit applications are lodged online during that window
Rwanda's immigration process is one of the most digitised in Africa: application, payment and status tracking are online, and decisions commonly come within days rather than months. Bring an apostilled criminal-record certificate and academic certificates if applying on employment grounds.
Get your TIN (tax identification number) from the Rwanda Revenue Authority
Employment, business registration, property and every RRA filing key off it.
Registered online with the Rwanda Revenue Authority; company registration through the Rwanda Development Board issues a TIN at the same time, usually within a day.
Open a bank account
Bank of Kigali, Equity Bank Rwanda and I&M open accounts on the residence permit and TIN, and the process is quick. Mobile money (MTN MoMo, Airtel Money) is the dominant everyday rail, as in much of East Africa, so the SIM registration matters as much as the bank account.
Enrol in healthcare
Community-based health insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) covers most Rwandans, and RSSB medical insurance covers formal employees; foreign residents typically buy RSSB or private cover and use King Faisal Hospital and the private clinics in Kigali. Complex cases are referred to Nairobi, South Africa or India.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign licence with an International Driving Permit is accepted for a limited period after arrival; residents convert through the Rwanda National Police traffic department, with a written test for many applicants. Driving is on the right.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Rwanda: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Rwanda?
Apply for the residence permit online through the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration's IREMBO/DGIE portal — Before your entry stamp expires — most nationalities get 30 days on arrival, and permit applications are lodged online during that window. Rwanda's immigration process is one of the most digitised in Africa: application, payment and status tracking are online, and decisions commonly come within days rather than months. Bring an apostilled criminal-record certificate and academic certificates if applying on employment grounds. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the TIN and do I need one?
TIN (tax identification number) from the Rwanda Revenue Authority is Rwanda's personal tax/ID number. Employment, business registration, property and every RRA filing key off it. Registered online with the Rwanda Revenue Authority; company registration through the Rwanda Development Board issues a TIN at the same time, usually within a day.
Can I drive in Rwanda on a US license?
A foreign licence with an International Driving Permit is accepted for a limited period after arrival; residents convert through the Rwanda National Police traffic department, with a written test for many applicants. Driving is on the right. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Rwanda?
Community-based health insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) covers most Rwandans, and RSSB medical insurance covers formal employees; foreign residents typically buy RSSB or private cover and use King Faisal Hospital and the private clinics in Kigali. Complex cases are referred to Nairobi, South Africa or India. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Rwanda's system treats foreign residents.