KIGALI - The Director General of Immigration and Emigration, Anaclet Kalibata, believes that the new immigration law will boost the economy and facilitate Rwanda’s integration in regional blocs.

The new law No 04/2011 of 21/03/2011 aims at attracting skilled workforce, promoting investment, tourism as well as enhancing national security.

"I really think that it’s going to contribute towards the country’s economic development. It’s necessary for a country like Rwanda to have a skilled labour force that effectively develops the country,” Kalibata said in an exclusive interview.

"Our vision is to contribute towards the development of Rwanda by welcoming and encouraging skilled foreign workers to come and work in our country. It is in that context that the government decided to introduce the law and it will not only promote investment and tourism but also stabilise national security.”

According to the new law, EAC citizens can visit Rwanda for the period of six months without a visa.

In an effort to facilitate foreigners wishing to work or reside in Rwanda, the work and resident permits have been combined. A person who will have acquired a resident permit will also have the right to work in the country.

The law further stipulates that investors in sectors such as agriculture, ICT, animal husbandry, mining, hospitality industry, manufacturing and other sectors shall be issued with a three year temporary resident permit as an incentive.

The law has allowed the introduction of a free border pass for persons living around the border, enabling them to conduct cross-border activities.

"There are people around borders like Gatuna who do small businesses in neighbouring countries; we realised that it was necessary to ease their movements and we made a document to allow them benefit from their businesses,” Kalibata noted.

The law has also been aligned with the EAC Protocol on free movement of people, labour and services as a requirement of the EAC partner states.

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