Asylum in Rwanda: applying for refugee status

Law N° 042/2024 of 19 April 2024 governs refugees and applicants for refugee status in Rwanda and replaced the 2014 refugee law. Claims are received, registered and decided by the organ in charge of immigration and emigration, the DGIE. An applicant must be on Rwandan territory and report to the nearest DGIE office within seven days after entry. The applicant may instead report to the local authority, which immediately takes him or her to the nearest DGIE office.

A person already living lawfully in Rwanda who cannot return to their country may apply before their residence permit expires. The law sets the criteria for refugee status and the grounds for exclusion, including prosecution for a non-political felony before applying in Rwanda. The official sources reviewed do not describe applying from abroad at a Rwandan embassy.

The applicant files a written application stating the grounds and any evidence, and declares dependants who travel with them or are still on the way. Once registered, the applicant receives a temporary residence permit valid three months. The DGIE then interviews the applicant and gathers information, including up-to-date reports on the country of origin.

The law sets interview safeguards: the interview is fully transcribed or recorded, the applicant may review and correct the transcript, an interpreter is present, it is held in the language the applicant prefers and, on request, by a person of the same gender. Children under 18 are accompanied by a responsible adult and interviewed by trained staff. A copy of the interview is provided on written request.

The decision is due within six months of receipt, extendable if the reasons are explained to the applicant, and is notified in writing within seven days. It must be in an official language of Rwanda, translated where needed, give reasons in fact and law and explain how to appeal. In a mass influx, the Minister in charge of refugees may grant status at first glance by order.

An applicant whose claim is being processed is entitled, on request, to shelter pending the decision. With the Minister’s authorisation, refugees and applicants may settle in a camp on showing their refugee card or temporary residence permit, and those who no longer wish to stay in a camp may move elsewhere after notifying the Minister in writing. Refugees and applicants enjoy the rights in the international refugee treaties Rwanda has ratified.

A recognised refugee is registered and receives a registration certificate and, from age 16, a refugee identity card (FRW 1,000 under Annex IV of Ministerial Order N° 06/01). A refugee travel document costs FRW 20,000 at the DGIE.

An applicant who is not satisfied with the DGIE’s decision can bring the case before the Appeal Tribunal for refugees and applicants for refugee status, whose members are appointed by Presidential Order. If the applicant is not satisfied with the Tribunal’s decision, he or she may file a claim with the competent court within 30 days of being notified of it, and has the right to stay in Rwanda after filing until the final decision.

The DGIE can be reached at info@migration.gov.rw and +250 788 152 222, Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm, and at its headquarters on KG 7 Avenue in Kigali. Applicants arriving at a border can also ask the local authority to take them to a DGIE office.