Moving to United States from Rwanda

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Rwanda to United States — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Rwanda to United States. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Washington averages 66°F vs 80°F in Kigali, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Rwanda to United States, based on official data.

Moved in 2023
1,560 ↑ 16% vs 2022

people moved from Rwanda to United States · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to United States?

Top countries of origin for United States's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Rwanda to United States.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

RW
3.6
US
6.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

RW
11.6
US
14.2

Rwanda performs better than United States across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

RW
$177
US
$13,473
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

RW
1.2
US
36.1

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United States leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

RW
62.0
US
14.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

RW
0.2t
US
13.6t

Rwanda generally does better on environment, though United States leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

RW
0.3
US
37.8
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

RW
20.2%
US
28.2%

United States generally does better on infrastructure, though Rwanda leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

RW
14.9%
US
3.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

RW
$3,000
US
$73,600

United States generally does better on employment & economy, though Rwanda leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

RW
65.8 yrs
US
80.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

RW
26.4
US
5.2

United States performs significantly better than Rwanda across all family life metrics.

Data: Rwanda Revenue Authority, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Kigali Rain: 37.4 in/yr (951 mm)
80° / 60°F

Avg. annual high / low

Washington Rain: 41.5 in/yr (1055 mm)
66° / 44°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kigali Washington
Jan–Mar 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 48°/28°F (9°/-2°C)
Apr–Jun 79°/61°F (26°/16°C) 75°/51°F (24°/11°C)
Jul–Sep 82°/60°F (28°/16°C) 85°/62°F (29°/17°C)
Oct–Dec 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 57°/35°F (14°/2°C)
View all months
Month Kigali Washington
Jan 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.6°C) 42°/24°F (5.8°/-4.5°C)
Feb 81°/60°F (27.4°/15.8°C) 46°/26°F (8.0°/-3.3°C)
Mar 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C) 56°/33°F (13.1°/0.5°C)
Apr 79°/61°F (26.2°/16.1°C) 67°/42°F (19.3°/5.6°C)
May 79°/61°F (25.9°/16.2°C) 75°/51°F (23.9°/10.7°C)
Jun 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.3°C) 84°/61°F (28.8°/16.1°C)
Jul 81°/59°F (27.1°/15.0°C) 88°/65°F (31.1°/18.6°C)
Aug 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.0°C) 87°/64°F (30.3°/17.9°C)
Sep 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.0°C) 79°/56°F (26.3°/13.5°C)
Oct 81°/61°F (27.2°/15.9°C) 68°/44°F (20.1°/6.6°C)
Nov 79°/60°F (26.1°/15.5°C) 58°/35°F (14.2°/1.8°C)
Dec 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.6°C) 46°/27°F (7.8°/-2.7°C)

Data: Rwanda Meteorology Agency Rwanda Meteorology Agency, National Weather Service National Weather Service

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Rwanda and United States. To live, work, or study long-term in United States, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check United States's immigration authority.

Rwanda passport

Rwanda passport holder visiting United States

Visa Required
Rwanda passport holders need a visa to enter United States.
United States passport

United States passport holder visiting Rwanda

Visa on Arrival
United States passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Rwanda.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from United States?

Internet is rarely the blocker — United States has 37.8 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is United States safe for expats?

Rwanda performs better than United States across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in United States is 6.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.6 in Rwanda.

How is healthcare in United States compared to Rwanda?

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United States leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 36.1 doctors per 10,000 people in United States, compared to 1.2 in Rwanda. United States scores 86 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Rwanda: 49).

What's the weather like in United States compared to Rwanda?

The average high temperature in Washington is 66°F, compared to 80°F in Kigali. Washington receives around 41.5 in of rainfall per year, while Kigali gets 37.4 in.

What language do they speak in United States?

The official language in United States is English. In Rwanda, the official languages are English, French and Kinyarwanda.

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At a Glance

RW US
Population 13,173,730 337,341,954
Currency Rwandan Franc (RWF) United States Dollar ($)
Languages English, French, Kinyarwanda English
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +250 +1
Time zones 1 11
Emergency number 112 911