How to Get a Rwandan Passport

The Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE) gives 3 different passport types:

Ordinary Passport

An ordinary passport is given to any Rwandan who has all the necessary requirements to travel out of the country.

Application Fees

1. A child’s passport is 25,000 RWF
2. 5 year adult passport is 75,000 RWF
3. 10 year adult passport is 100,000 RWF

Service E-passport

The service E-passport is given to Rwandans who want to travel on an official mission.

The service E-passport is valid for 5 years

Application fees are 15,000 RWF

Requirements

• Travel clearance
• ID card
• Payment

Diplomatic Passport

The diplomatic e-passport is given to officials in Rwanda or representing Rwanda abroad or as specified by the ministerial order. People entitled to a Diplomatic Passport are not allowed to use another type of passport unless authorized.

A diplomatic passport is valid for 5 years 

Application fees are 50,000 RWF

Requirements

• ID Card
• Appointment order

Minor (under 16 years old) with legally married parents

1. Application letter signed by both parents, addressed to Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE).
2. One coloured recently taken photograph with a white background
3. Copy of parents’ ID
4. Parents’ marriage certificate
5. Minor birth certificate
6. Payment of passport

Minor (under 16 years old) who lost both parents

1. Application letter signed by their guardians, addressed to Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE)
2. One coloured recently taken photograph with a white background
3. Legal guardians ID
4. Minors birth certificate
5. Parents’ death certificate
6. Photocopy of legal guardianship
7. Payment of passport

Minor under 16 years old with only one parent

1. Application letter signed by living parent, addressed to Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE)
2. One coloured recently taken photograph with a white background
3. Photocopy of living parents’ ID
4. Minors’ birth certificate
5. Deceased parents with death certificate
6. Payment of passport

Minor (under 16 years old) with parents who are not legally married.

1. Application letter signed by both parents, addressed to Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE)
2. One coloured recently taken photograph with a white background
3. Photocopy of both parents’ ID
4. Minors’ birth certificate
5. Mothers celibacy certificate
6. If child stays with fathers, he should provide certificate of recognition.
7. Payment of passport

Minor with divorced parents

1. Application letter signed by both parents, addressed to Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE).
2. One coloured recently taken photograph with a white background
3. Photocopy of both parents’ ID.
4. Minors’ birth certificate.
5. Photocopy of divorce ruling.
6. Payment of passport.

Applicants 16 years and above

1. Complete application form and pay fees directly to IREMBO.
2. Rwanda ID card.
3. You’ll be notified through e-mail or text message, to go to the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE) for biometric information – 10 finger prints and passport photo.
4. You’ll then be given an appointment with a date and time.
5. Biometrics are done on Tuesday and Wednesdays 10am-3pm
6. What to bring:
7. Rwanda ID card
8. Appointment confirmation

All applications are submitted to IREMBO platform. If you want to apply, you can get help from an IREMBO agent or do it yourself through IREMBO platform. Learn more on IREMBO services.

It takes 4 working days when it’s your first application and 2 working days to renew your passport.

A child’s passport is valid for 2 or 5 years.

An adults’ passport is valid for 5 or 10 years.

NB: The passports that were issued up to 27th June 2019 will only be valid until 28th June 2021.