Kenyan Permits, Passes and Visas

Kenyan Permanent Residence grants long-term residency rights to foreign nationals who qualify under one of four specific categories: former Kenyan citizens, long-term work permit holders, children of Kenyan citizens, and foreign spouses of Kenyan citizens.

Permanent residence allows successful applicants to live, work, and remain in Kenya indefinitely without the need to renew a temporary permit. Each category has its own eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and government fees, and applications are submitted through the eFNS platform.

This status is well-suited for individuals with strong personal or professional ties to Kenya who wish to establish a stable, long-term presence in the country.

The Class G Permit, also known as the Investor’s Permit, is intended for foreign nationals who wish to establish and actively run a business in Kenya.

It is initially issued for a period of one to two years and may be renewed upon expiry. After seven years of continuous business operation under a valid permit, the applicant may become eligible to apply for permanent residency based on investment.

To begin the process, the applicant must first register a company in Kenya. As part of the application, they must provide proof of capital exceeding USD 100,000 to demonstrate their financial commitment to the enterprise.

The Kenyan Special Pass functions similarly to a standard Short-Term Work Permit. It is commonly used as an interim solution that allows a foreign national to begin working in Kenya while awaiting the outcome of a Long-Term Work Permit application.

A Special Pass is initially valid for 90 days and may be renewed or extended, typically up to a maximum cumulative validity of six months.

There are multiple long-term work permits in Kenya. However, they are rarely used. The most common one is the Work Permit Class D.

The Class D Work Permit is designed for foreign nationals who have secured a formal job offer, contract, or employment agreement in Kenya. It grants authorisation to live and work in Kenya based on a specific employer-employee relationship.

A Class D Permit is issued for 1 to 2 years and can be renewed multiple times, depending on the duration of the applicant’s employment in Kenya.

To qualify, the applicant must demonstrate possession of skills or qualifications necessary for the role. However, if the job can reasonably be filled by a Kenyan citizen, the permit application is likely to be declined.

The Class K Permit, often referred to as the Retirement Permit, is intended for foreign nationals aged 35 and above who wish to reside in Kenya without engaging in employment, business, or any income-generating activities within the country.

This permit is best suited for individuals who can demonstrate that they have a secured, reliable income from sources outside Kenya (such as pensions, investments, or other passive earnings) and are financially self-sufficient.

A Class K Permit is typically granted for an initial period of one or two years and may be renewed thereafter, provided the applicant continues to meet the financial requirements and remains compliant with Kenyan immigration regulations.

The Class N Permit, often known as the Digital Nomad Permit or Remote Work Permit, is designed for foreign nationals who wish to live in Kenya while working remotely for an employer or clients based outside the country. This permit supports the evolving nature of global work by accommodating professionals who can carry out their roles entirely online without entering the Kenyan labour market.

It is particularly suited to individuals in sectors such as technology, design, consultancy, digital marketing, content creation, and other fields where location-independent work is viable. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate that they are gainfully employed abroad and have a stable income sufficient to support themselves while residing in Kenya.

A Class N Permit is generally issued for an initial period of one or two year, with the possibility of renewal, provided the applicant remains compliant with the permit’s terms – chief among them, that no income is earned from Kenyan sources and no work is conducted for Kenyan employers or clients.

The Kenyan Student/Research/Internship Pass is issued to foreign nationals who intend to enter Kenya for full-time study at a registered educational institution, such as a school, college, or university.

This pass must be applied for online prior to travel and is either granted for one or two years initially, and is renewable. Internship and research passes are granted initially for one year and renewable. It is from kindergarten age to university. It allows foreign students to reside in Kenya legally while undertaking formal education.

It is ideal for international students enrolled in academic, technical, or religious studies in Kenya.

The Kenyan Dependant Pass is issued to spouses, children, or other dependants of foreign nationals who hold valid permits in Kenya, such as work, investor, or retirement permits.

This pass must be applied for online through the eFNS portal and is typically granted for the same duration as the principal permit holder’s permit. While the Dependant Pass does not authorise employment, it allows dependants to legally reside in Kenya for the length of the main applicant’s stay.

It is suitable for accompanying family members who wish to join a primary permit holder in Kenya for long-term residence.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is a mandatory entry requirement for most foreign nationals intending to visit Kenya for short-term stays. It authorises eligible travellers to enter Kenya for purposes such as tourism, business meetings, family visits, or medical treatment, for a duration of up to 90 or 180 days, depending on the applicant’s nationality.

Kenya’s eTA system is fully digital and must be completed online before travelling. Upon approval, travellers will receive a digital confirmation, which must be presented to immigration authorities upon arrival.

Although an approved eTA permits entry to Kenya, final admission remains at the discretion of immigration officers at the port of entry. Certain categories of travellers, such as East African Community citizens, crew members, and holders of diplomatic or official passports, may be exempt from the eTA requirement.