Kenyan Permanent Residence

Kenya offers a dynamic and welcoming environment for individuals seeking to establish permanent residence in the country. The Kenyan Permanent Residence Permit grants eligible foreign nationals the right to live and work in Kenya on a long-term basis, without the need for frequent permit renewals. This status provides significant legal and practical stability, while also offering a pathway to Kenyan citizenship in the future.

Permanent residence status is governed by the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, No. 12 of 2011. According to the Act, a permanent resident is an individual who has been formally granted this status in accordance with the prescribed legal framework. Once issued, the status remains valid indefinitely unless it is revoked under specific conditions outlined in the legislation.

Kenya recognises four distinct categories of Permanent Residence, each tailored to a specific type of applicant. These categories reflect various legal, familial, or professional ties that an applicant may have with Kenya.

The four categories of Kenyan Permanent Residence are:

• Category A – Permanent Residence for former citizens of Kenya
• Category B – Permanent Residence for holders of valid Work Permits
• Category C – Permanent Residence for children of Kenyan citizens
• Category D – Permanent Residence for spouses of Kenyan citizens

Each category has specific eligibility criteria and documentary requirements. Applicants must ensure full compliance with the provisions of the Act and relevant administrative procedures when submitting their applications.

Last updated: 30/09/2025

Category A: Application for Permanent Residence by Ex-Citizens of Kenya

This category applies to individuals who were Kenyan citizens by birth and can provide proof of Kenyan ancestry but have since renounced or lost their citizenship status. It also includes those whose countries of domicile do not permit dual citizenship. Spouses and children of these applicants may also apply.

Applicants under this category are not required to renounce their current citizenship.

Required Documents

All documents must be submitted in English or officially translated into English by a sworn translator:

• Application or cover letter addressed to the Director of Immigration Services.
• Printed and duly completed Permanent Residence Application Form (Form 23), signed and stamped by a Magistrate or Commissioner for Oaths.
• Printed and signed Category A Questionnaire for intending applicants.
• Proof of former Kenyan citizenship: copy of birth certificate and previous Kenyan identity card or passport.
• Two recent passport-size colour photographs and a soft copy uploaded during the application.
• Original and certified copies of Police Clearance Certificates from both the applicant’s country of citizenship and Kenya.
• Proof of current citizenship: copy of current passport and citizenship certificate (registration or naturalisation).
• Completed application Checklist from the eFNS platform.

Processing Time

The application will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Processing time typically ranges from 1 to 2 years, depending on document review and internal processing capacity.

Costs and Fees

• Government processing fee: 50,050 KES (non-refundable, payable before uploading documents)
• Government fee after approval: 100,050 KES
• Alien ID fee: 10,050 KES
• Security bond: Not required

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants must have been Kenyan citizens by birth but have lost or renounced citizenship and cannot hold dual citizenship due to restrictions in their current country. Spouses and children of these applicants may also apply.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Create an account on the electronic Foreign National Services platform (eFNS) at fns.immigration.go.ke. Collect all necessary documents and complete the online forms.

Step 3: Submit the Application

• Upload all documents via the eFNS platform. Applicants can submit directly using their accounts.
• Each adult applicant must apply individually. Parents may apply for children within the parent’s eFNS account.
• All documents must also be submitted in person at Nyayo House, 17th Floor, Counter 13, Nairobi.
• If errors are made online, the application may be rejected. Appeals can be submitted but may take up to a year and are often unsuccessful. Occasionally, amendments may be allowed via a notification on the eFNS platform.

Step 4: Wait for Processing

Applications typically take 1–2 years to process. Approval is communicated through the eFNS platform.

Step 5: Upon Approval

Applicants have 30 days from approval to pay the final government fee. Upload the approval and proof of payment to eFNS. Present hard copies at Nyayo House (Issuance Department). If no delays occur, the permit is issued within 1–2 months.

Step 6: Passport Endorsement

• Collect the original permanent residence permit at Nyayo House, 7th Floor, Room 14.
• Bring the hard copy of the permit and original passport for same-day endorsement.
• Apply for a KRA PIN on itax.kra.go.ke.
• Obtain a National Social Security Fund (NSSF) number and register with the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Category B: Application for Permanent Residence by Holders of Work Permits (Lawful Residents)

This category applies to foreign nationals who have held a valid Kenyan work permit for at least seven (7) years and have resided continuously in Kenya for at least three years immediately preceding their application for permanent residence. It also applies to their spouses and children. Applicants may be required to attend an interview to verify their eligibility and demonstrate their contribution to Kenya’s socio-economic development. Priority may be given to investors and highly skilled professionals.

Required Documents

All documents must be in English or translated by a sworn translator. Requirements vary depending on the applicant type:

1. Permit Holder Applicant

• Application letter or cover letter
• Completed Form 23 (signed and stamped by a Magistrate or Commissioner for Oaths)
• Completed Category B Questionnaire (signed by the applicant)
• Valid passport copy
• Completed Residence Status Form (generated during online application)
• Two recent passport-size colour photographs (plus soft copy)
• Original and copy of Police Clearance Certificate
• Valid Tax Compliance Certificate
• Copy of valid Foreigner Certificate (Alien Card)
• Introductory Letter from employer (if employed)
• Checklist (from eFNS platform)

2. Spouse of the Permit Holder

• Application letter or cover letter
• Completed Form 23 (signed and stamped by a Magistrate or Commissioner for Oaths)
• Completed Category B Questionnaire (signed by the applicant)
• Completed Residence Status Form
• Certified copy of Marriage Certificate
• If married outside Kenya, an Affidavit of Authenticity
• Copy of Dependant Pass or Work Permit
• Two recent passport-size colour photographs (plus soft copy)
• Original and copy of Police Clearance Certificate
• Introductory Letter from employer (if applicable)
• Copy of valid passport
• Copy of valid Foreigner Certificate (Alien Card)

3. Child of the Permit Holder

• Application letter (by the parent)
• Completed Form 23 (signed and stamped by a Magistrate or Commissioner for Oaths)
• Completed Category B Questionnaire
• Certified copy of Birth Certificate
• Certified copies of the parents’ birth certificates
• Two recent passport-size colour photographs (plus soft copy)
• Copy of Dependant Pass
• Copy of Student Pass (if applicable)
• Copy of valid passport
• Original and copy of Police Clearance Certificate (if over 18)

Processing Time

Applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Standard processing time is 1 to 2 years, subject to internal verification and administrative timelines.

Costs and Fees

• Government processing fee: 50,050 KES (non-refundable; payable before document upload)
• Government fee after approval: 750,050 KES
• Alien ID fee: 10,050 KES
• Security bond: Not required

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants must have held a valid Kenyan work permit for at least seven years and have resided continuously in Kenya for the last three years. This category also includes their spouses and children. Applicants should be well-integrated into Kenyan society and able to demonstrate contributions to the country’s development.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Create an account on the electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal at fns.immigration.go.ke. Complete all necessary forms and compile all supporting documents as outlined.

Step 3: Submit the Application

• Upload all documents via the eFNS portal. Each adult must apply individually; parents may include children in their account.
• Applications must also be submitted in person at Nyayo House, Nairobi.
• Errors in the online form may result in rejection. Appeals are possible but often slow and unsuccessful. In some cases, immigration may permit amendments via a notification in eFNS.

Step 4: Await Processing

Standard processing time is 1–2 years. Approval notifications will be issued via the eFNS platform.

Step 5: Upon Approval

Once approved, applicants have 30 days to pay the applicable fee and upload proof of payment. Hard copies of the approval and payment receipt must be submitted at Nyayo House for issuance. Permanent residence issuance typically takes 1–2 months.

Step 6: Endorsement in Passport

• Collect the original permanent residency from Nyayo House, 7th Floor, Room 14.
• Present the original passport and hard copy of your permanent residency for same-day endorsement.

Category C: Application for Permanent Residency by Children of Kenyan Citizens

This category applies to biological or legally adopted children of Kenyan citizens, including those born abroad, who have acquired citizenship in another country. Eligible children may apply for permanent residency to live in Kenya on a long-term basis under their parent’s Kenyan citizenship rights.

Required Documents

All documents must be in English or officially translated by a sworn translator:

• Application letter or cover letter
• Completed Form 23 (signed and stamped by a Magistrate or Commissioner for Oaths)
• Completed Category C Questionnaire (stamped by a Commissioner for Oaths)
• Two recent passport-size colour photographs (plus soft copy)
• Certified copies of birth certificate or legal adoption papers
• Certified copies of the parent’s birth certificate, Kenyan passport, ID card, or other proof of Kenyan citizenship
• Certified copy of the applicant’s current passport
• Original and copy of Police Clearance Certificate
• Checklist (available on the eFNS platform)

Processing Time

Applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Standard processing time is 1 to 2 years, depending on internal review timelines and documentation checks.

Costs and Fees

• Government processing fee: 20,050 KES (non-refundable; payable before document upload)
• Government fee after approval: 750,050 KES
• Security bond: Not required

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants must be biological or legally adopted children of Kenyan citizens. Adoption must be formally recognised under law. Children must be under 18 years of age at the time of application.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Create an account on the electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) platform at fns.immigration.go.ke. Complete the online forms and collect all supporting documents as outlined above.

Step 3: Submit the Application

• Upload all documents via the eFNS portal.
• Documents must also be submitted physically at Nyayo House, Nairobi.
• Applications can be submitted through a parent’s eFNS account.
• Errors in submitted forms may result in rejection. Appeals may be made with legal support but are rarely successful and take time. In some cases, officers will reopen the application for amendment via the eFNS system.

Step 4: Await Processing

Processing usually takes 1 to 2 years, if no delays occur. Notifications of approval will be posted to the applicant’s eFNS account.

Step 5: Upon Approval

Once approved, the applicant has 30 days to pay the applicable government fee and upload proof of payment. These documents must also be submitted physically at the issuance department in Nyayo House. Permanent residency issuance may take an additional 1–2 months.

Step 6: Endorsement of Passport

• Once the permit has been issued, a notification will appear on the applicant’s eFNS portal.
• Collect the physical permit from Nyayo House, 7th Floor, Room 14.
• Bring the original passport and hard copy of the permit for same-day endorsement.

Category D: Application for Permanent Residency by Spouses of Kenyan Citizens

This category is intended for foreign nationals who are legally married to Kenyan citizens and have been married for at least three years. Applicants must provide adequate proof of the marriage and shared family life. In some cases, the Directorate of Immigration Services may require the applicant to attend an in-person interview to confirm the genuineness of the relationship.

Required Documents

All documents must be in English or officially translated by a sworn translator:

• Duly written and signed application letter by the Kenyan spouse
• Completed Form 23 (signed and stamped by a Magistrate or Commissioner for Oaths)
• Completed Category D Questionnaire (stamped by a Commissioner for Oaths)
• Duly filled Residence Status Form (generated automatically on eFNS)
• Two recent passport-size colour photographs (plus soft copy)
• Original and copy of Police Clearance Certificate
• Certified copy of the marriage certificate
• Evidence demonstrating genuine marriage and family life
• Certified copies of Kenyan spouse’s passport, national ID, and/or birth certificate
• Certified copy of the foreign spouse’s passport or birth certificate
• Copy of valid work permit or dependant pass held by the foreign spouse
• Copy of valid foreigner certificate (Alien Card)
• Checklist (available on eFNS platform)

Processing Time

Applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility. The standard processing time is 1 to 2 years, depending on administrative workflow and document verification.

Costs and Fees

• Government processing fee: 50,050 KES (non-refundable; payable before uploading documents to eFNS)
• Government fee after approval: 150,050 KES
• Alien ID fee: 10,050 KES
• Security bond: Not required

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants must be legally married to a Kenyan citizen for at least three years. The marriage must be legally valid and registered. Evidence of family life and cohabitation may be required.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Create an account on the electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal at fns.immigration.go.ke. Complete the online application forms and gather all supporting documents.

Step 3: Submit the Application

• Upload all documents to the eFNS portal
• Submit physical copies to the Immigration Office at Nyayo House, Nairobi
• Each adult applicant must apply using their own eFNS account
• Errors in the application may result in rejection; in rare cases, amendments may be permitted and will be communicated via eFNS

Step 4: Await Processing

Processing time typically ranges between 1 and 2 years. Notification of approval will be published on the applicant’s eFNS portal.

Step 5: Upon Approval

Once approved, the applicant has 30 days to pay the government fee and upload proof of payment to eFNS. Hard copies of these documents must also be submitted to the issuance department at Nyayo House. Permit issuance may take an additional 1 to 2 months.

Step 6: Endorsement in Passport

• Notification of issuance will appear on the applicant’s eFNS portal
• Collect the physical permanent residence certificate from Nyayo House, 7th Floor, Room 14
• Present the certificate and original passport for same-day endorsement

Additional Resources

• eFNS Portal – Republic of Kenya Foreign Nationals Services
• Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS)

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.