Eligibility quiz
Are you married to a Kenyan citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Kenya for life
You can live anywhere in Kenya for an unlimited time while you meet the conditions of your status.
Your residence certificate lets you enter and re-enter Kenya while it is valid.
Study in Kenya
You can attend schools and other educational facilities in Kenya.
Work in Kenya
You can work in Kenya without an ordinary employment work permit.
Own property in Kenya
You can legally own property in Kenya.
Use social services
You can access social services and facilities in Kenya. Each service has its own eligibility rules.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents required for your permanent residence application.
See required documentsFill in your application
From anywhere, create or sign in to your eCitizen account and open eFNS. Choose Permanent Residence, then Category D for a spouse of a Kenyan citizen, fill in your details and upload the requested documents.
Open the applicationPrint and sign forms
Download and print the completed Form 23, Category D questionnaire and residence-status form generated by your application. Sign Form 23 and have a magistrate or commissioner for oaths sign and stamp it.
Open your applicationPay the processing fee
Pay the non-refundable KSh 50,000 processing fee under Payments in your eFNS dashboard by card or mobile money, and print the payment acknowledgement. If you cannot pay online, bring your printed application and documents to the Immigration counter at Nyayo House for payment and processing; cash is not accepted at the counter.
Pay the feeHand in your application
Bring your printed and signed forms, payment acknowledgement and supporting documents to the Immigration counter at Nyayo House, 17th Floor, North Wing, Nairobi.
Find the immigration counterSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I hand in a Kenya permanent residence spouse of Kenyan citizen Category D application at Nyayo House?”
Wait for the decision
Check your email and eFNS account for updates, and respond if Immigration asks for more information or an interview.
Check your applicationGet your certificate
Once your application is approved, obtain your permanent residence certificate from Immigration. Your permanent residence lets you enter and remain in Kenya, work and study, subject to the applicable rules.
Find certificate informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get my Kenya permanent residence spouse of Kenyan citizen Category D certificate after approval?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificate
Provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate. If your marriage is customary, it must be registered with Kenya’s Registrar of Marriages.
Marriage and family evidence
Provide plenty of evidence that your marriage is genuine and of your family life together. Immigration may also ask you to attend an interview.
Spouse's citizenship records
Provide a copy of your Kenyan spouse’s passport, Kenyan identity card or birth certificate. Check which evidence the application portal or Immigration counter asks you to provide.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Residence and registration
You must meet the residency and other conditions attached to your status or risk losing it.
If you are over 18, you must keep a foreigner registration document and renew it every three years.
Residence can be lost
Kenyan citizenship, written surrender, a removal order taking effect, a sham marriage, fraud, lies or hidden key facts can end your status.
So can breaking immigration law or status conditions, illegal wartime enemy trade or contact, or knowingly aiding enemy business.
So can a prison sentence of 3 or more years within 5 years of getting status, or a home abroad for 2 straight years, except for former Kenyan citizens by birth.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
r/Kenya
English Reddit group for people interested in Kenyan local life
Join on RedditStatehouse kenya forum
English Facebook group for people interested in Kenyan local life
Join on FacebookCherangany politics
English Facebook group for people interested in Kenyan local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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