How to Get a Kenyan Work Permit

If you are a non-Kenyan seeking to work in Kenya on employment or volunteer basis, you must apply for a work permit. Work and residence permits are issued by the Kenyan Department of Immigration under the legal framework defined by the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011.  There are 7 different types of work permits and 3 passes and defined below.

Kenyan Work Permits

Class A Work Permit (Mineral & Mining Prospectors)

This is issued to people looking to engage in mining and mineral prospecting. The requirements for this permit are:

1. One should obtain or is assured of obtaining the necessary licenses and registration from other arms of the Kenyan Goverment.
2. For renewals, the current license held for prospecting minerals and copy of the PIN (Kenya Revenue Authority Personal Identification Number) is required.
3. Sufficient capital or resources for investment. 
4. A non-refundable processing of fee of Kshs 10,000. 

Class B Work Permit (Agriculture and Animal Husbandry)

This is issued to foreigners wishing to invest in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. The requirements are:

1. Proof of land ownership or leasehold interest in land for the purpose.
2. Proof of capital available for the purpose.
3. Clearance from relevant government bodies within Kenya. 
4. For renewals current license held for prospecting minerals and copy of PIN is required.
5. A non-refundable processing fee of Kshs.10,000.
6. A fee is Kshs. 100,000/= per year. 

Class D Work Permit (Specific Employment)

This issued to a person who is offered specific employment by a specific employer and is qualified to undertake that employment. The requirements for this type of visa are:

1. Copies of academic/professional certificates along with the CV of the applicant
2. Evidence that the company/organization was unable to fill the vacancy from the local labor market.
3. Form 25 dully filled, signed and sealed by the company.
4. A non-refundable processing fee Kshs.10,000.
5. A Fee is Ksh. 200,000/= per year.

Class G Work Permits (Specific trade/business/consultancy)

This is issued to investors in a specific trade, business or consultancy. The requirements are as follows:

1. Documentary proof of capital to be invested/already invested of a minimum of USD 100,000 or its equivalent in any other currency.
2. Registration certificate of the company or a certificate of incorporation.
3. Copies of personal and company PIN’s (Kenya Revenue Authority Personal Identification Number) if business is running.
4. For renewals; audited accounts covering the last two years and a certificate of tax compliance from the Kenya Revenue Authority.
5. A non-refundable processing fee Kshs.10,000.
6. A fee of Kshs. 100,000/= per year. 

Class I Work Permit (Missionaries)

This is a work/residence permit issued to a member of a missionary society approved by the Government of Kenya and whose presence is beneficial to the country. The requirements for this visa are:

1. A copy of registration certificate of the organization. 
2. Academic and professional certificates of the applicant. 
3. A non-refundable processing fee of Kshs.1,000. 
4. A fee of Kshs. 5,000/= per year. 

Class K Residence Permit

This is a residence permit issued to people who have an assured income from outside Kenya and undertake not to accept paid employment of any kind. The requirements are:

1. Proof of income.
2. A non-refundable processing fee Kshs.10,000.
3. A fee of Kshs. 100,000/= per year. 

Class M Work Permit (Refugees)

This work permit is issued to conventional Refugees. Requirements include:

1. Recognition letters from UNHCR and Department of Refugee Affairs.
2. Processing Fee Gratis.
3. Permit is issued gratis.

Other General Kenya Work Permit Requirements

1. Dully filled and signed application Form 3.
2. Covering letter from employer/self/organization depending on the class (as applicable)
3. Copies of the National Passport.
4. Two coloured Passport size photographs.

Kenyan Passes

Student Passes

Kenyan student passes are issued to foreigners wishing to enter and remain in Kenya for purposes of receiving education or training at an educational/training institution where they have been accepted as students. The requirements for a student pass are:

1. Application form (form 8) dully filled signed and stamped 
2. Cover/forwarding letter from the institution stating the course and course duration 
3. Copy of the passport capturing the biodata pages and visa page 
4. Two passport size photos 
5. A commitment letter from a parent/legal guardian/sponsor 
6. The institution applying must be registered as an educational establishment. If the institution is relatively new a copy of registration must be submitted together with the application . 
7. A fee of Kshs.5,000/= per year.

Dependant Passes

To receive a dependant pass, the applicant must hold a valid Kenyan entry permit or be exempted under the Immunities Act of Kenya. Other requirements are:

1. Application form dully filled and signed 
2. Copy of the national passport of the dependant . 
3. Two passport size photos of the dependant. 
4. A copy of birth certificate or marriage certificate for immediate family members.
5. A fee of Ksh.5,000/= 

Special Passes

A special pass is issued to people given short period assignments by specific employers not exceeding 3 months to receive education or training at an institution within Kenya. The requirements for a special pass are:

1. Application form dully filled and signed 
2. A copy of the national passport 
3. Two passport size photos 
4. A forwarding letter from institution/applicant
5. A clearance from regulatory bodies (the Kenya Medical and Dentist board, Pharmacy and Poisons board, Engineering Board, NGO council, Ministry of Information.)
6. A fee of  Ksh.15,000/= Per month. 

How to Apply for a Kenyan Work Permit

Visit the Kenya electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal.

Tips and Warnings

• Application fees are only payable upon receipt of an approval notification.
• Dully completed Entry Permit applications should be submitted at immigration Aliens counter 9 located at Nyayo House Ground floor (south wing), Nairobi, Kenya for acknowledgement.
• Applications for renewal of entry permits should be done three months prior to expiry date.
• These permits are normally issued for a period of two years.
• A fee 40/= is payable for application forms. 

Source

Kenya Department of Immigration