Kenya · Work Visa
Work permit categories, eligibility, sponsorship, application steps, and processing times.
AI-drafted, editorial review pending. The official links below are checked — confirm specifics with the authority.
Foreign nationals need a work permit or pass under sections 36 and 40–42 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011. Applications are made and documents uploaded on the Directorate of Immigration Services' online eFNS portal; once issued, the permit is printed from the portal and endorsed at an immigration office. Permits come in classes by activity — Class D for employment, Class G for specific trade, business or consultancy, and others for prospecting and mining, agriculture, prescribed professions, manufacturing, religious and charitable work and ordinary residents. Requirements include the employer's tax compliance certificate, and the published schedule waives permit fees for East African Community citizens.
- Class D covers employment; Class G covers specific trade, business or consultancy.
- Applications go through the eFNS portal; the printed permit is endorsed at an immigration office.
- East African Community citizens pay no permit fee under the published schedule.
- Directorate of Immigration Services — Passes and Work Permits
Directorate of Immigration Services: work permit and pass classes.
Government portals
- Business Registration Service (BRS) — Company, LLP and business-name registration, official searches and insolvency.
- Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) — Tax PINs, income tax, PAYE, VAT, eTIMS invoicing and customs.
- Directorate of Immigration Services — Work permits and passes, permanent residence, eTA and passports.
- Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) — Registration of data controllers and processors, complaints and breach reports.