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Citizenship Application

ELIGIBILITY

For a foreign-passport holder of eighteen (18) years old and above, who is living in Rwanda or abroad, Rwandan nationality can be obtained on the following grounds:

  • By birth on the Rwandan territory.
  • By being of Rwandan origin.
  • By marriage.
  • By naturalization.
  • By recovery of Rwandan nationality.

REQUIREMENTS

Citizen application form to be submitted along with the following:  

NATIONALITY BY BIRTH ON THE RWANDAN TERRITORY

  • Birth certificate or certificate of identity.
  • Any other proof that the applicant was born in Rwanda.
  • Document certifying that the applicant’s parents were legally residing in Rwanda at the time of his/her birth.
  • Police clearance certificate (showing that the applicant has never been sentenced to more than six (6) months imprisonment or is not subject to legal proceedings).
  • Photocopy of passport.
  • Photocopy of residence permit.
  • Certificate of registration as foreigner if he/she resides in Rwanda.
  • Two (2) passport-sized photographs with white background (recently taken).

NATIONALITY BY BEING OF RWANDAN ORIGIN

  • Birth certificate or certificate of identity.
  • Written statement confirming the applicant family was living in a place known in Rwanda.
  • Testimonies of three (3) Rwandans who know him/ her as a person originating from Rwanda.
  • Two (2) passport-sized photographs with white background (recently taken).

NATIONALITY BY MARRIAGE

  • Birth certificate or certificate of identity.
  • Marriage certificate.
  • Police clearance certificate (showing that the applicant has never been sentenced to more than six (6) months imprisonment or is not subject to legal proceedings).
  • Photocopy of passport.
  • Photocopy of residence permit.
  • Birth certificates of minor children (of non-Rwandan spouse) if any, born before the marriage.
  • Certificate of common marital life for the last three (3) years. The certificate is issued by the civil status registrar at the place of their marriage of his/her residence.
  • Copy of Rwandan identity card of the spouse on the day of marriage or any other justification of the Rwandan nationality.
  • Testimonies from at least three (3) people who know the wife/ husband as a Rwandan (including place of residence, profession, relationship and contact details of the endorser).
  • Two (2) passport-sized photographs with white background (recently taken).

NATIONALITY BY NATURALIZATION

  • Birth certificate or certificate of identity.
  • Birth certificate of his/her children if any, who are under 18 years old.
  • Police clearance certificate (showing that the applicant has never been sentenced to more than six (6) months imprisonment or is not subject to legal proceedings).
  • Certificate of his/her occupation/ activities in the country issued by the District authorities where he/she operates from.
  • Photocopy of passport.
  • Photocopy of residence permit.
  • Two (2) passport-sized photographs with white background (recently taken).
  • Need to have consecutively resided in Rwanda for at least five (5) years

NATIONALITY BY RECOVERY OF RWANDAN NATIONALITY

  • Declaration letter indicating the reason for the application of Rwandan nationality recovery.
  • Birth certificate or certificate of identity.
  • Proof that the applicant was previously a Rwandan citizen.
  • Document proving that he/she has accepted the renunciation of nationality.
  • Police clearance certificate (showing that the applicant has never been sentenced to more than six (6) months imprisonment or is not subject to legal proceedings).
  • Proof of his/her current nationality.
  • Two (2) passport-sized photographs with white background (recently taken).

RENOUNCING THE RWANDAN NATIONALITY

  • Application form for Renounciation of Rwandan Nationality and a letter indicating the reasons of renouncing the Rwandan nationality.
  • Relinquishing identity documents and travel documents possessed as a Rwandan.
  • Proof of acquisition of other nationality.
  • Police clearance certificate (showing that the applicant has never been sentenced to more than six (6) months imprisonment or is not subject to legal proceedings).
  • Two (2) passport-sized photographs with white background (recently taken).
  • Proof of payment into High Commission Bank Account (see details below).
  • Testimonies from at least three (3) people who know him/her as a Rwandan (including place of residence, profession, relationship and contact details of the endorser).

FEE

RWF 5000 for application.

Before the swearing in ceremony, applicants for Rwandan nationality by naturalization pay RWF 100,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency. Applications for other nationality categories pay RWF 200,000 before the swearing in ceremony.

Applicants for nationality by Rwandan origin are exempted from swearing-in ceremony and payment of any fee.

TO APPLY

Applicants living outside Rwanda will submit their application with the required documents to the High Commission via post or email. If submitting in-person, kindly make an appointment with the High Commission.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information, visit here.