Kenyan Long-Term Work Permit (Class D Permit)

Kenya offers several types of Long-Term Work Permits for foreign nationals. However, this page focuses on the most common and widely applicable option: the Class D Work Permit.

This should not be confused with the Short-Term Work Permit for Kenya, also known as the Kenyan Special Pass.

The Class D Work Permit is issued to foreign nationals who have secured employment in Kenya with a registered employer. It is intended for individuals whose expertise or qualifications are necessary for a specific job that cannot be readily filled by a Kenyan citizen.

Applicants must present a valid employment contract, agreement, or offer letter from a Kenyan-registered organisation.

The permit is typically granted for an initial period of one to two years, with the possibility of renewal depending on the continued need for the foreign employee’s services.

To qualify, the applicant must provide evidence of skills, qualifications and experience that directly relate to the role offered. If the position can reasonably be filled by a Kenyan national, the application may be declined.

The Class D Work Permit is linked to the sponsoring employer. A permit holder who changes employer must obtain new immigration authorisation rather than continuing to work under the existing permit. Under an immigration directive implemented in December 2025, the existing permit must first be cancelled and the permit holder must exit Kenya before a new Special Pass or Work Permit application can be processed. Evidence of departure is required as part of the cancellation process.

Dependants such as a spouse and/or children must apply for accompanying passes if they intend to join the main applicant in Kenya.

The Class D Work Permit requires both the employer and employee to comply with the applicable immigration requirements throughout the duration of the permit.

Last updated: 28/09/2026

To apply for a Kenyan Class D Work Permit, applicants must prepare and submit the following mandatory documents. All documents must be provided in English or accompanied by a certified English translation completed by a sworn translator, public notary, embassy, or other recognised authority.

Required Documents for the Class D Work Permit:

• Duly completed and signed Form 25 (Work Permit Application Form), available on the Kenyan eFNS portal. The form must be printed after submission.
• Two original and signed cover letters addressed to The Director of Immigration Services. These may come from the employer, sponsoring organisation, or the applicant in the case of self-employment.
• Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (bio-data page).
• Two recent passport-sized colour photographs (required for both new applications and renewals).
• Proof of current immigration status, if the applicant is already in Kenya.
• Certified English translations of any documents issued in a foreign language.
• Copies of any previously issued permits or passes held in Kenya.
• Certified copies of relevant academic and professional certificates.
• Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Details of the Kenyan understudy assigned to the foreign employee, including:
  • Full name and contact information (email, address, and phone number)
  • Certified copies of the understudy’s academic and professional certificates
  • Signed employment contract of the understudy
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the understudy
• Clearance letters from relevant professional or regulatory bodies, where applicable.
• Copy of the company or organisation’s Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Incorporation (from Business Registration Service of Kenya).
• Valid Tax Compliance Certificate issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA):
  • For new applications: organisation’s certificate
  • For renewals: both the organisation’s and the applicant’s certificates
• Copy of the official Work Permit Checklist.
• Duly completed and signed Form 27 (Report on Employment), also accessible via the eFNS portal after login.

Important: All documentation must be accurate, complete, and clearly scanned to avoid delays or rejections.

Additional Requirements for Accompanying Dependants:

• Duly completed and signed Form 28 (Dependant Pass Application), available via the eFNS platform.
• Signed cover letter from the main permit holder addressed to the Director of Immigration Services, explaining the reason for the dependant’s stay in Kenya.
• Two recent colour passport-sized photographs of the dependant.
• Copies of valid passports or national IDs for both the main applicant and the dependant (bio-data pages).
• Certified evidence of relationship:
  • Marriage certificate for spouses
  • Birth certificate for children
• Copy of the main applicant’s valid Work Permit and supporting financial evidence (e.g. recent bank statements).
• Any additional documentation supporting dependency status, such as:
  • Medical reports
  • Disability documentation
  • Proof of advanced age or other special conditions
• Copy of the official Dependant Pass Checklist

Preparation

• If all documents are accurate and complete, it typically takes up to 72 hours to review, finalise, and prepare the application for submission.

Submission

• All applications for the Class D Work Permit must be submitted via the electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal.
• The average processing time is 1 to 3 months from the date of submission, depending on the completeness of the documentation, the complexity of the case, and whether additional clearances are required.
• Delays may occur if the application is incomplete, if further verification is needed, or if there are backlogs at the Directorate of Immigration Services.

Post-Approval Requirements

• Once the Class D Work Permit is approved, the applicant has 30 days to pay the applicable government fees and arrange for the required security bond.
• After payment and bond submission, the permit is typically issued within 5 to 10 working days.
• The applicant must be physically present in Kenya for the permit to be endorsed into their passport by the Directorate of Immigration Services.

Post-Endorsement Compliance

• After endorsement, the permit holder must apply for the following:
  • Alien ID (Foreigner Certificate)
  • KRA PIN (Kenya Revenue Authority Tax Identification Number)
  • NSSF Registration (National Social Security Fund)
  • SHA Registration (Social Health Authority)
  • NHIF Registration (National Health Insurance Fund)
• These registrations are mandatory for all foreign nationals legally employed in Kenya and must be completed within a reasonable period following permit issuance.

Applicants for the Kenyan Class D Work Permit are required to pay a series of government fees at different stages of the application process. These fees are processed through the official eFNS portal.

Permit Application Fees:

Note: All payments should be made through the approved payment channels listed on the eFNS portal. Proof of payment must be uploaded promptly to avoid delays in processing.

The following is a step-by-step breakdown of the application process for the Kenyan Class D Work Permit. This process applies to individuals who have secured employment in Kenya and meet the eligibility requirements outlined by the Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS).

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

• You must have a valid job offer from a Kenyan-registered company. If the employer does not have a physical presence in Kenya, an Employer of Record (EoR) must be appointed.
• The Class D Work Permit is typically granted to individuals filling senior or technical roles, such as directors or specialists.
• Applicants must submit a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a signed cover letter explaining why their expertise is essential to the Kenyan labour market.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

• Create an account on the Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal.
• Complete the required online forms, including Form 25 and Form 27.
• Prepare all supporting documents as per the permit requirements.

Step 3: Submit Documentation via the eFNS Portal

• Upload all documents to the eFNS platform. Submission can be completed from abroad.
• Initial intake by Immigration may take up to five working days. After this, no changes can be made unless specifically permitted.
• If errors are present, the application may be rejected. Appeals can take up to a year and are rarely successful. Immigration may alternatively allow certain corrections, communicated via the eFNS portal.
• If technical issues arise and officers cannot print the documents, hard copies may be requested in person at Nyayo House, Nairobi. These requests are not issued via email or eFNS, personal follow-up is necessary. You will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to enter Kenya for this purpose.

Step 4: Wait for Processing

• Processing time for a Class D Work Permit is typically 1 to 3 months, depending on case complexity.
• Approval will be announced via the eFNS platform.

Step 5: Post-Approval Requirements

• Once approved, the applicant has 30 days to:
  • Pay the government permit fee
  • Secure a security bond
  • Upload proof of payment, the bond certificate, and the permit approval on eFNS
• Physical copies must be delivered to the issuance department at Nyayo House.
• Issuance typically occurs within 5 to 10 working days.

Step 6: Arrival in Kenya and Passport Endorsement

• Print the issued permit (e-permit) and visit Nyayo House in person for passport endorsement.
• If applying from outside Kenya, enter on an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
• Where a return ticket is required for the eTA, the applicant may upload the approved or issued permit instead.
• Bring the printed permit and a valid passport (minimum six months validity from the date of application).

Step 7: Post-Endorsement Compliance

• After endorsement, register for:
  • KRA PIN via the Kenya Revenue Authority (iTax portal)
  • National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
  • Social Health Authority (SHA) membership
• These registrations are mandatory for all foreign workers in Kenya.

Additional Resources:

• Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) Portal
• Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS)
• Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
• Kenya Revenue Authority (iTax Portal)

Disclaimer

At IBN Immigration Solutions, we adhere to Google’s standards for transparency. As a private immigration firm, we follow the regulations outlined in the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011. We are not affiliated with the Kenyan Government. Our clients pay for our expertise in handling applications for both temporary, long-term and permanent residency.