Help Rwanda / Serivisi mu Rwanda / Imibereho Ihamye

Imibereho Ihamye

Guverinoma y’u Rwanda ruri mu bihugu bike byashyize umukono ku masezerano mpuzamahanga arengera impunzi n’imibereho yazo hagamije kwigira. Amwe muri ayo mategeko arengera impunzi harimo uburenganzira bwo kugenda ahariho hose mu gihugu, n’uburenganzira bwo gukora

Yes. If you are a recognized refugee  in Rwanda, you are also allowed to work legally in Rwanda as per Art. 18 of law n°13er/2014 of 21/05/2014 relating to refugees. Remember to obtain your refugee identity card. Without it, it is possible that you will find complications in accessing employment and social security, as well as complications in accessing financial services.

 

No. No special registration is needed with immigration services nor with the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) in recruiting a refugee.

Within the regular/formal employment sector, the employer must register the new employee with Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) and Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) for taxes and other social security obligations as is the case with nationals.

All refugees who are 16 years old and above have access to a refugee identity card provided by the National Identification Agency (NIDA) through the Immigration Services. At the same time, refugees have a document called “Proof of Registration”, which is used as a proxy ID (in A4 paper format) issued jointly by the Government of Rwanda (MINEMA) and UNHCR.

 

Yes. Commercial banks generally require a valid refugee identity card. However, some banks (e.g., Equity Bank), MFIs and SACCOs allow refugees to open a bank account using their Proof of Registration.

Yes. Refugees can obtain a driving license, following the normal procedures as Rwandan nationals. The refugee must be in possession of a valid refugee ID card to register into the Irembo portal for the test and to make the payment when the permit is awarded. The same applies to a refugee who wants to convert a foreign driving license into a Rwandan license.

Many refugees have university degrees, certified technical skills and diplomas granted by educational institutions in either their country of origin or in Rwanda. Refugees with academic documents obtained from foreign educational institutions may be required to apply for “equivalence” (recognition of academic qualifications) provided by the Rwanda High Education Council (HEC). Requirements to apply for equivalence are accessible at HEC website whereas the request is submitted online through the Irembo portal (click Application for Equating Foreign Qualifications).

 

 

Job opportunities available in Rwanda are accessible on different job advertising sites and employment services providers’ websites. Click on the name of the website in the list below to get more information.

 

 

 

Yes. Refugees can register a new or be incorporated into an existing cooperative following the normal procedures as established by Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA). Registration guidelines are provided by RCA (click on the link for more information). To be incorporated into an existing cooperative, refugees are only required to fulfil requirements for new individual incorporation are spelt out in the cooperative’s bylaws.

Yes. Refugees can register a new or be incorporated into a private company following the same procedures as Rwanda nationals established by Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Guidelines for new business registration are outlined on the RDB website. Guidelines for the incorporation of a new individual into a private company are also provided by RDB.

Yes. Refugees are allowed to register a new or be incorporated into an existing non-for-profit organization or faith-based organization following the same procedures as Rwanda nationals established by Rwanda Governance Board (RGB). Requirements for registering a new non-governmental or a faith-based organization are provided by RGB and available on the RGB website.

Yes. Refugees are eligible to apply for Rwandan Citizenship on grounds of marriage (after 5 years), investment, special skills or talents, or after 25 years of residence on grounds of being an immigrant.

If you have been hired, both you and your employer must remember that you have the right to fair treatment and fair pay. In addition, you have the following rights:

  • Affiliation to Social Security
  • Work a maximum of 8 hours a day, and 40 hours a week if your contract is full time.
  • Paid vacations
  • Maternity or paternity leave
  • Sick leave

If you have been a victim of labor exploitation or harassment or have suffered any type of discrimination, go to the nearest administrative district and file a complaint with a Labor Inspector.

UNHCR, in partnership with the community-based protection partner, has trained 32 Digital Career Counsellors (DCCs) and equipped them with computers and internet connectivity in order to assist their peers in applying for scholarships and job opportunities advertised online. These DCCs are usually located at the Community Centers in all the 5 camps and urban areas of Kigali and Huye.

No. Being part of a livelihood intervention and pursuing self-reliance while in Rwanda does not affect the refugee’s chances to be resettled into a third country. On the country, livelihood intervention, e.g., acquisition of technical or entrepreneurship skills may smoothen the process of integration into the labor market in the country of resettlement.

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