Eligibility quiz
Do you have a reliable income of at least US$24,000 a year that you can use freely?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Kenya
You can enter and live in Kenya for the period printed on your permit, as long as your required assured income remains available.
Your permit can be renewed for a fee, but renewal is not automatic.
Each permit or renewal can last for no more than five years from its issue or renewal date.
How to apply
From outside KenyaFrom outside Kenya
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your Class K permit application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Create a Government of Kenya Single Sign-On account and sign in to eFNS. Choose “Apply now”, “Submit Applications” and “Permit Issuance/Renewal”, then complete Form 25 and sign it as directed.
Fill in the applicationSubmit your application
Upload your supporting documents and submit your application through eFNS before entering Kenya for your first permit. The portal generates a printable Form 25.
Submit your applicationPay the processing fee
In eFNS, open “Dashboard” and “Payments” and pay the non-refundable KES 20,000 processing fee online. If you cannot pay online, print your application and take it with the required documents to immigration headquarters or a regional immigration office in Kenya for payment and processing.
Pay the processing feeWait for the decision
Follow your application in your eFNS account and watch for account and email notifications. Respond to any requests from immigration officials.
Check your applicationPay the issuance fee
Once your application is approved, pay the permit issuance fee as invoiced. The fee is KES 250,000 per year.
Pay the issuance feePrint your permit
Print your issued Class K permit from your eFNS account.
Print your permitEnter Kenya
Enter Kenya within 90 days after your permit is issued. The Director may grant a written extension of up to another 90 days.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Kenya after my Class K ordinary resident permit is issued?”
Once in KenyaOnce in Kenya
Get your permit endorsed
Take your printed permit to an immigration office in Kenya for endorsement.
Find an immigration officeSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get my Kenya Class K ordinary resident permit endorsed at an immigration office?”
Fill in your registration
If you will remain in Kenya for more than 90 days, use the Foreign National service in eFNS to complete Form 50. Print the completed application.
Start foreign national registrationPay the registration fee
If you are registering as a foreign national, pay the fee shown on your eFNS invoice.
Pay the registration feeAttend your registration
If you are registering as a foreign national, take your printed application, passport, photographs and valid permit to immigration headquarters or a regional immigration office for verification and fingerprints. This completes the steps for your foreign national registration.
Find a registration officeSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I attend Kenya foreign national registration for verification and fingerprints?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Proof of income
Provide documents showing you have an assured annual income of at least US$24,000 or its equivalent in Kenya shillings. Show that it comes from outside Kenya and will be sent to Kenya, or that it is a pension or annuity paid from sources in Kenya.
Tax compliance certificates
The checklist asks for a valid organisation tax compliance certificate for a new application, and both organisation and individual certificates for a renewal. If you are applying on your own, check with immigration how this requirement applies to you.
Copy of your passport
Provide a copy of the personal details page of your valid passport. Keep a copy for foreign-national registration too if you will live in Kenya for more than 90 days.
Passport photos
Provide two recent colour passport-size photos. For foreign-national registration, the two photos must have a white background and have been taken no more than 12 months before you attend.
Application forms
Sign your completed Form 25 for the Class K permit. If you will live in Kenya for more than 90 days, also complete and print Form 50 for foreign-national registration.
Cover letter
Write a detailed cover letter addressed to the Director of Immigration Services. Sign it and provide two copies.
Current immigration status *
Provide proof of your current immigration status in Kenya. It should show the permission you currently have to be in the country.
* Only if you are in Kenya.
May need translationPermits and passes *
For a renewal, provide a copy of any previous permit or pass you held. For foreign-national registration, present your valid permit or pass.
* Only if you are renewing your permit or will live in Kenya for more than 90 days.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Limits on work
This permission does not allow you to work, whether paid or unpaid, or run a business, trade or practise a profession.
You need separate permission for work or another income-generating activity, including remote work.
Doing so without the necessary permission is an offence and can also end your permit.
Family passes can end
A family member’s dependant’s pass can end if they stop relying on you, you can no longer support them, or you die.
It can also end if you leave Kenya in circumstances suggesting your absence is not temporary, or if they work.
The pass does not allow them to work, trade or carry out an income-generating activity.
A child’s pass ends at 21, with exceptions for full-time education or incapacity.
Permit can be cancelled
Your permit can end if you stop living in Kenya, work without the required permission, or break its conditions or immigration rules.
It can also end if you are barred from entry or considered undesirable, or if you are convicted and sentenced to at least three years in prison.
Fraud, false statements or hiding information when obtaining it can make it invalid and lead to its cancellation.
The immigration director can revoke it on the recommendation of the permit committee.
Other legal grounds can also make it invalid.
Permit expiry and entry
Your permit ends when its validity period expires unless it is renewed.
It can also end if you no longer have the required assured income.
If your permit was issued while you were outside Kenya, it becomes invalid if you do not enter within 90 days.
The immigration director can give you a written extension of up to another 90 days.
Your permit can also end if you do not take up residence within 90 days without written approval.
Discuss
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r/Kenya
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