Rwanda currently does not offer a Golden Visa program. However, it offers an investment resident permit for individuals who wish to invest in the country. This permit is designed to facilitate long-term stays for investors and entrepreneurs contributing to Rwanda's economic development.
The Residence Permits are divided as follows:
1. Business Investor Permit : This is issued to a foreigner who fulfils all necessary requirements provided by the law governing investment in Rwanda and successfully acquires an investment certificate from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
2. Business Entrepreneur Permit: This is issued to a foreigner who owns an enterprise but who is not categorised as an investor as per the Investment laws
All these residence permits are further divided into sub categories depending on which sector of the economy the individual is investing in. (Example: Class A for Mining and Mineral Sector Class B for Agriculture and Animal husbandry, and others)
Formal Requirements
The applicant is required to file the following documents:
Application letter
Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
RDB Company Registration Certificate.
Investment certificate of the company. (For Business Investor Permit)
The original police clearance from the country of the previous residence of six months.
The Applicant is required to pay an Application Fee of 150,000 Frw
Other Investment Opportunities
Rwanda offers a unique business investment landscape for global businesses, driven by a series of targeted incentives designed to attract international companies seeking expansion in Africa. Some of these incentives include:
Preferential corporate income tax rate of 0% for international companies that establish their headquarters or regional offices in the country.
Preferential corporate income tax rate of 3% for registered pure holding companies that meet specific criteria.
Preferential corporate income tax rate of 15% for registered investor in certain sectors (Eg: Energy, Transportation, Manufacturing of textile, communication, Research and development , Fund management and many others.)
Different Preferential corporate income tax rate for export investments.
Exemption from customs taxes and duties for products used in export processing zones
Various Corporate Income Tax holidays
And many other incentives
Document kink for further information
Link to the Rwanda Immigration office:
1. For Business Investor Permit:
https://www.migration.gov.rw/our-services/business-investor
2. For Business Entrepreneur Permit:
https://www.migration.gov.rw/our-services/permit/business-entrepreneur
Link to Rwanda Development Board, Office of the Registrar General
Link to the Investment Promotion Law in Rwanda
https://rdb.rw/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Investment-code-2021.pdf