Kenyan Short-Term Work Permit

The Special Pass in Kenya is a short-term immigration authorisation that allows foreign nationals to undertake temporary work or assignments for up to six months.

It is commonly used by individuals who have secured a short-term employment contract in Kenya, or who need to begin working while awaiting the approval of a long-term work permit.

This should not be confused with the Long Term Work Permit for Kenya.

According to Kenya’s immigration regulations, a Special Pass is issued to:

• Foreign nationals who need to work in Kenya for a limited period of up to six months.
• Individuals who have already secured an offer, agreement, or employment contract with a Kenyan employer.
• Applicants who are awaiting the outcome of a long-term work permit application and must start working immediately.

Key Conditions:

• The Special Pass is initially issued for one, two or three months.
• It may be renewed once for an additional one, two or three months, not exceeding a total of six months.
• Multiple entries are permitted while the pass is valid.
• Renewal applications must be submitted 3–4 weeks before expiry of the current pass.

Accompanying family members:

• Spouses and children must apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) if they plan to accompany the main applicant.
• If a spouse intends to work in Kenya, they must obtain their own Special Pass and long-term Work Permit.

Last Updated: 30/09/2025

To apply for a Kenyan Special Pass (short-term work permit), the applicant must submit a set of required documents through the eFNS portal. These documents must be prepared in advance and submitted in the correct format.

You can also download the official Special Pass Checklist for reference.

Documents you need to apply for a Kenyan Special Pass:

Applicant (Employee/Assignee)

• Valid passport with at least two blank pages and a minimum validity of six months from the application date
• Copy of the biographical page of the passport
• Current immigration status, if already in Kenya (e.g. visa page or entry stamp)
• Two recent passport-sized colour photographs (taken within the last six months, full face on a white background)
• Certified copies of academic and professional certificates
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English
• Copies of any previous permits or passes held in Kenya
• Copy of any official receipt or acknowledgement for pending work permit processing (if applicable)

Employer (Kenyan Company)

• Original cover letter addressed to The Director of Immigration Services, Nyayo House, Nairobi, on official letterhead, signed and stamped with a Kenyan address
• Duly completed and signed Form 32 (available through the eFNS portal)
• Copy of the company’s Certificate of Incorporation
• Copy of the company’s valid Tax Compliance Certificate (KRA)
• Job description for the applicant’s position, on official company letterhead
• Signed employment contract
• Clearance letters from relevant regulatory authorities (if applicable)
• Copy of the Special Pass application checklist (downloadable from eFNS)

Note: All documents in foreign languages must be translated into English by a certified translator, embassy, public notary, or recognised institution.

Additional documents required for Special Pass applications

• Depending on the applicant’s occupation, additional documents may be required. For example:
  • A practising licence from the Engineers Board of Kenya
  • A filming licence from the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB)
• These documents are typically requested after submission. If further documentation is required, the application will be placed on hold until the applicant uploads the necessary files to the eFNS portal.

Applicants for a Kenyan Special Pass must follow a defined process to ensure successful submission and timely approval. Below is a summary of the standard preparation and submission timeline.

Preparation

• If all required documents are complete and meet the application standards, it typically takes between 24 to 48 hours to review, finalise, and submit the application to the Directorate of Immigration Services.

Submission and Processing Time

• All applications for the Special Pass must be submitted digitally via the eFNS portal.
• No physical documents or original hard copies are required at the time of online submission unless explicitly requested by the Immigration Office.
• In exceptional cases, for example when there is system downtime – the Kenyan Department of Immigration may require applicants to print all supporting documents and submit them in person at Nyayo House, Nairobi.
• The average processing time is 1 to 4 weeks from the date of submission. However, this may vary depending on the nature of the application and whether additional documents are requested.
• Delays may occur if an application is incomplete, if sector-specific clearances are required, or if the applicant fails to respond promptly to follow-up requests.

Once a Kenyan Special Pass application is approved via the eFNS portal, the applicable government fees must be paid before the pass can be issued.

Special Pass Government Fees

• 1 month validity: USD 201
• 2 months validity: USD 401
• 3 months validity: USD 601

The same rates apply for renewals of the Special Pass.

Payments can be made either via online banking or cash deposit at a designated bank. Once payment has been made, the applicant must upload the proof of payment (PoP) along with the Special Pass approval document through the eFNS portal.

Only after these documents are uploaded will the Special Pass be issued. The processing of issuance typically takes 1–2 working days, and the finalised document will be visible and downloadable directly from the eFNS platform.

Applying for a Kenyan Special Pass involves several detailed steps and must be done in accordance with the official process outlined by the Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS).

Important: A Kenyan Special Pass can only be applied for, if the applicant is linked to a Kenyan-registered entity. If your employer does not have an established entity in Kenya, an Employer of Record (EoR) must be used. Applications can be submitted from outside Kenya or while the applicant is physically present in the country.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

• Applicants must demonstrate that their skills and qualifications are essential to the role offered. If a Kenyan national is available to perform the same job, the application is likely to be declined.
• Priority is given to senior-level roles such as directors or technical experts.
• Ensure your qualifications, professional experience, and job responsibilities are clearly reflected in your CV and employer’s cover letter.

Step 2: Gather Required Documentation

• Refer to the Special Pass Document Checklist for a complete list of documents and compliance requirements.
• All forms may be completed digitally or handwritten and must be signed. Scanned documents must be legible and in PDF format unless otherwise specified.

Step 3: Submit Application via eFNS

• Register an account on the Kenyan eFNS portal to begin your application.
• Complete Form 32, sign it, and have it stamped by the sponsoring entity. Upload the completed form and all supporting documents to your eFNS account.
• Once submitted, the application will reflect as “received” in the eFNS portal. This may take up to 10 working days. After this point, no changes to the submission are permitted.

Step 4: Monitor Application Outcome

• Applicants should log in to the eFNS portal regularly to check the application status.
• Most decisions are issued within 2–3 weeks of receipt by the Directorate of Immigration Services.
• Applications with incorrect or incomplete data may be rejected. In such cases, the applicant must re-apply.
• If no updates appear and the system fails to issue a digital confirmation, the applicant must visit the Immigration Office in person at Nyayo House, Nairobi. Immigration officers will not send reminders or contact the applicant via eFNS for follow-ups.
• In certain situations, such as a system failure preventing officers from printing documents, applicants may be requested to provide physical copies of all documents in person.

Step 5: Pay Government Fees

• Upon approval, the applicant must pay the applicable Special Pass government fee through online banking or a cash deposit at a designated bank.
• Payment rates are:
  • USD 201 – 1 month
  • USD 401 – 2 months
  • USD 601 – 3 months
• The same rates apply for renewals.
• Upload proof of payment (PoP) to the eFNS portal. The Special Pass will be issued within 1–2 working days after PoP upload.
• Applicants must pay within 30 days of approval. The start date of the pass is based on the date the payment is received.

Step 6: Issuance of Special Pass

• Once issued, the Special Pass document will be available in your eFNS portal account for download.
• The applicant must print this document for passport endorsement.

Step 7: Travel to Kenya and Endorsement

• The Special Pass must be physically endorsed into the applicant’s passport at Nyayo House, Nairobi.
• Before travelling to Kenya, applicants must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
• Where the eTA form requests a return ticket, upload the approved or issued Special Pass as an alternative supporting document.
• Upon arrival, visit the immigration office with the printed Special Pass and a passport valid for at least six months. If the applicant renews their passport during this period, the Special Pass stamp can be transferred.
• Future update (pending implementation): Applicants holding an issued Special Pass may eventually be able to enter Kenya directly without requiring an eTA, by presenting the Special Pass upon arrival.

Step 8: Renewal and Ongoing Compliance

• Monitor the Special Pass expiry date to avoid overstaying. Renewal applications should be submitted 3–4 weeks before the pass expires.
• The renewal process mirrors the initial application. The start date of the renewed Special Pass will follow the end date of the original.
• Applicants must comply with all Special Pass conditions and maintain legal immigration status while in Kenya.

Resources:

• Kenyan eFNS Portal
• 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.