Moving to a new country is easier when the children are settled. This guide to relocating to Kigali with children covers the decisions families face in the first months: choosing a school, residence permits for dependants, where families tend to live, school calendars, and a step-by-step moving timeline. It is written for expatriate families and for Rwandans returning home after years abroad.
Everything here was checked in October 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm the details with the official source before you rely on them. Where a fact is not listed, we could not verify it from a public source and suggest you contact us or the relevant authority.
Step one: choose the curriculum before the school
Your children's next school is the decision that shapes everything else, including where you live. Start with the curriculum, because it determines continuity for your children:
- Staying international: if you may move again, choose a curriculum you can find in your next country. See IB schools in Kigali, British curriculum schools and American curriculum schools.
- French speakers: Kigali has a French homologated school, EFASE. See French schools in Kigali.
- Staying in Rwanda: returning Rwandan families planning a long stay may consider private schools on the national curriculum, which is taught in English with national exams at the end of primary, lower secondary and upper secondary.
Our international schools guide compares all of these side by side.
School calendars and when to arrive
Rwanda's national calendar for 2026/27, released by NESA, looks like this:
| Term | Dates |
|---|---|
| Term 1 | Starts Monday 7 September 2026 |
| Term 2 | Early January to 2 April 2027 |
| Term 3 | 19 April to 2 July 2027 |
| Primary Leaving Examination | 6 to 8 July 2027 |
| Secondary national written exams | 14 to 23 July 2027 |
International schools set their own calendars, so check each school's dates. If you can, arrive a couple of weeks before term starts, so children can visit the school, buy uniforms and recover from the journey.
If you are moving mid-year, ask schools early about space. The International School of Kigali, for example, accepts applications through the year when places exist and prorates fees for mid-year starts. Schools with fixed windows, such as the French school, may have no places outside them.
Residence permits for children
Children who live in Rwanda with a foreign parent need dependant residence permits. Rwanda's Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE) lists three dependant categories:
| Permit | Who it is for | Fee (as published) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | Dependants of a Rwandan | Half of the principal's fee | Same as the principal |
| M2 | Dependants of a temporary residence permit holder | 50% of the principal's fee | Same as the principal |
| M3 | Close relatives of a permanent resident | 50% of the principal's fee | Three years |
For a new M2 permit, DGIE lists:
- an application letter;
- a birth certificate or adoption certificate for each child;
- a marriage certificate for a spouse;
- police clearance from the country of residence for dependants aged 18 or over, covering the previous six months;
- a copy of the principal permit holder's ID.
Applications are made online through Irembo, Rwanda's government services portal. DGIE's offices are on KG 7 Ave in Kigali. Because the principal permit comes first, families usually apply for children's permits once the working parent's permit is in place. Keep copies of the permits: schools may ask for them.
Where families live
Kigali's residential areas each have a different feel, and the school run is a big part of daily life. Families often look at:
- Nyarutarama and Kibagabaga: residential areas in the north east, close to several international schools, including ISK in Kibagabaga.
- Gaculiro and Kinyinya: residential estates in the north, where KICS is located.
- Kimihurura and Kacyiru: central, close to many offices, embassies and Kigali Convention Centre.
- Kiyovu: near the city centre.
- Kicukiro and Rebero: in the south of the city.
- Gisozi: north of the centre, home to the Ecole Belge de Kigali.
Distances on the map can be misleading. Kigali is built on hills, and traffic builds around school and office hours. Before signing a lease, drive from the house to the school and to work at 7 am on a weekday.
If you need help with housing itself, a property agent or your employer's relocation team is the right first stop. We focus on schools, but we will tell you which areas give a reasonable journey to the schools on your shortlist.
Notes for returning Rwandan families
Rwandan families coming home after years abroad face a particular choice: continue an international curriculum, or move into the national system. A few facts help frame it. Rwanda's national system has six years of primary, three of lower secondary and three of upper secondary. French was replaced by English as the language of instruction in 2008, and in December 2019 the government decided that English would be the medium of instruction at all levels, including lower primary. National exams mark the end of primary and each secondary cycle.
Children who have studied abroad in English usually adapt to the language of instruction, but the content and exam style can differ. If your children are close to a major exam, staying with the curriculum they know is often less disruptive. If you plan to stay long term and your children are young, the national curriculum or a private school that combines it with international elements may suit you. We can help you compare both routes honestly.
Getting to school every day
Families in Kigali usually choose between a school bus, a private driver or doing the school run themselves. Ask each school whether its buses serve your area, how early the pick-up is, and what the fee covers. If you plan to drive, test the route at peak time, and agree a back-up plan for days when you travel for work. For younger children, ask the school about its rules for collection by drivers, nannies or other parents, and register every adult who may collect your child.
Budgeting for school costs
School fees are usually the biggest family cost after housing. Published 2026/27 tuition ranges from about RWF 3.8 million a year at the lower end of Green Hills Academy's scale to USD 26,435 for high school at ISK, before one-off fees, levies, lunch and transport. Check what your employer's education allowance covers. Our school fees guide explains costs in detail.
Questions to ask your employer
- Does my package include an education allowance, and does it cover one-off fees, deposits and levies, or tuition only?
- Will the employer pay schools directly, or reimburse me?
- Does the employer support the dependant permit applications?
- Is there help with housing near the school we choose?
- If my posting ends early, who covers non-refundable school fees?
Settling children in
Children adjust at different speeds. These tips help:
- Visit together: if you can, let children see the school before their first day.
- Keep routines: familiar bedtimes and meals help during the first weeks.
- Language support: if your child is new to English or French, ask the school what support it provides.
- Activities: after-school clubs and sport help children make friends quickly.
- Stay in touch: video calls with old friends ease the transition for older children.
- Talk to the school: tell teachers about the move, so they can watch how your child settles.
A moving timeline for families
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 9 to 12 months before | Decide on curriculum and budget; read school guides |
| 6 to 9 months before | Shortlist schools; request applications; ask about places |
| 4 to 6 months before | Submit applications; book assessments or video interviews |
| 3 months before | Accept an offer; pay the deposit; plan housing near the school |
| 1 to 2 months before | Gather certified documents; start the principal permit process |
| On arrival | Apply for dependant permits on Irembo; buy uniforms; arrange transport |
| First month | Attend parent meetings; check how children are settling |
Documents to carry in your hand luggage
- Passports and birth certificates (certified copies too).
- Marriage certificate, if applying for a spouse permit.
- Two years of school reports and leaving certificates.
- Immunisation records and medical notes.
- Any learning support assessments.
How we help relocating families
- Remote start: we work by WhatsApp, email and video call while you are still abroad.
- School match: we shortlist schools by curriculum, age, budget and the area where you will live.
- Applications: we prepare a document checklist for each school and track deadlines. See our admissions guide.
- Young children: we include nursery and early years options. See our nursery schools guide.
Families often settle near their chosen school, so it helps to look at houses for rent in Kigali in the same area. For the residence and dependant permits themselves, see this overview of residence permits in Rwanda.
Plan your move with us
Use the form on this page to tell us how many children you have, their ages, your preferred curriculum, budget, start date and the area of Kigali you expect to live in. We will send you a school plan that fits your move.
Frequently asked questions
Do my children need a residence permit in Rwanda?
Yes, children living in Rwanda with a foreign parent need permits. Rwanda's Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration lists dependant permits, including the M2 permit for dependants of temporary residence permit holders, with the same validity as the main permit holder's. Applications are made through Irembo.
What documents are needed for a child's dependant permit?
For a new M2 dependant permit, the immigration website lists an application letter, a birth or adoption certificate for a child, a marriage certificate for a spouse, police clearance for dependants aged 18 or over, and a copy of the principal holder's ID. Check Irembo for current requirements.
How much does a dependant permit cost?
The immigration website says the M2 dependant permit fee is 50%, or half, of the fee paid by the principal applicant. It does not list a fixed amount on that page, so confirm the current fee on Irembo when you apply.
Should I choose a house or a school first?
Ideally both together. Kigali's hills and morning traffic can make short distances slow, so many families shortlist schools first, then look for housing in areas with a manageable school run and commute. If your employer provides housing, check the journey to each school before you apply.
When is the best time to move with school-age children?
Moving before the start of a school year is usually simplest. Rwanda's national 2026/27 year starts on 7 September 2026, and international schools set their own dates. Mid-year moves are possible at schools that accept applications through the year, such as the International School of Kigali.
What should I bring for school applications?
Bring passports, birth certificates, two years of school reports, leaving certificates, immunisation records and any learning support reports. Certified copies and translations save time. Scan everything before you travel so you can apply to schools while still abroad.
Can returning Rwandan children join an international school?
Yes. International schools in Kigali enrol Rwandan and foreign students. Some publish different rates by nationality: Green Hills Academy has separate Rwandan and non-Rwandan rates, and EFASE charges French and Rwandan nationals less than other nationalities in 2026/27.