These are the requirements non-Kenyans or rather expatriates must meet before making an application for a work permit to the Immigration Department. These permits (Work or Residence) are usually issued to any Non-Kenyan planning to work in Kenya either paid employment or voluntary service. The Work/Residence Permits issued by the Immigration Department are classified from A to M inclusive. On this post, we are going to look at various classes of permits and their respective requirements.
1. Class A Work Permit
This permit is issued to non-Kenyans who intend to engage in prospecting for minerals or mining.
Class A Work Permit Requirements.
- Copies of original licenses and registrations for mining.
For renewals, the current license held for prospecting minerals and copy of PIN is required.
- Proof of sufficient capital or resources for investment in the business.
You will pay a nonrefundable processing fee Kshs.10,000 for the Class A Work Permit.
- Two colored Passport size photographs
- Copies of the National Passport
Showing the biodata and visa page.
- Duly filled and signed application Form 3. Download Form 3 here.
- Cover letter from the employer
2. Class B Work Permit
This permit is issued to non-Kenyans wishing to invest in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.
Class B Work Permit Requirements
- Proof of land ownership or leasehold interest in land for the purpose
- Proof of enough capital for the purpose
- Clearance forms from the relevant bodies; licenses.
For renewals, the current license held for prospecting minerals and copy of PIN is required.
You will pay a nonrefundable processing fee Kshs.10,000 for the Class B Work Permit. An operating fee of Kshs. 100,000/= per year will also be paid.
- Two colored Passport size photographs
- Copies of the National Passport
Showing the biodata and visa page.
- Duly filled and signed application Form 3. Download Form 3 here.
- Cover letter from the employer.
3. Class D Work Permit
This issued to non-Kenyans who have been offered specific employment by a Kenyan employer who is qualified to undertake employment.
Class D Work Permit Requirements
- Copies of academic/professional certificates along with the CV
The foreigners’ certificates should be certified by their respective institutions, high commissions or embassies. They also need to be translated if they are not in English.
- Evidence that the organization failed to fill the vacancy from the Kenyan labor market
- Form 25 duly filled, signed and sealed by the company. You can download Form 25 here
- Two colored Passport size photographs
- Copies of the National Passport
Showing the biodata and visa page.
- Duly filled and signed application Form 3. Download Form 3 here.
- Cover letter from the employer
- Certificate of incorporation (copy) from the local company
You will pay a nonrefundable processing fee Kshs.10,000 for the Class B Work Permit. An operating fee of Kshs. 200,000/= per year will also be paid.
4. Class G Work Permit
This work permit usually issued to non-Kenyan investors in a specific trade, business or consultancy.
Class G Work Permit Requirements
- Documentary proof of capital to be invested/already invested minimum of 100,000 US dollars or equivalent in any other currency
- Registration certificate of the company OR certificate of incorporation
- Copies of personal and company PIN (Personal Identification Number) if the business is running
- For renewals; audited accounts for previous 2 years and a certificate of tax compliance from the Kenya Revenue Authority.
- Two colored Passport size photographs
- Copies of the National Passport
Showing the biodata and visa page
- Duly filled and signed application Form 3. Download Form 3 here.
- Cover letter from the employer.
You will pay a nonrefundable processing fee Kshs.10,000 for the Class B Work Permit. An operating fee of Kshs. 100,000/= per year will also be paid.
5. Class I Work Permit
This permit is issued to a member of missionary society approved by the Government of Kenya and whose presence is beneficial to the country.
Class I Work Permit Requirements
- A copy of registration certificate of the organization
- Academic and professional certificates of the applicant
- Two colored Passport size photographs
- Copies of the National Passport
Showing the biodata and visa page.
- Duly filled and signed application Form 3. Download Form 3 here.
- Cover letter from the organization
You will pay a nonrefundable processing fee Kshs.1,000 for the Class B Work Permit. An operating fee of Kshs. 5000/= per year will also be paid.
6. Class K Work Permit
This residence permit is issued to non-Kenyans who have an assured income derived from sources outside and undertakes not to accept paid employment of any kind.
Class K Work Permit Requirements
- Documentary proof of assured income
- Two colored Passport size photographs
- Copies of the National Passport
- Duly filled and signed application Form 3. Download Form 3 here.
- Cover letter from the employer.
You will pay a nonrefundable processing fee Kshs.10,000 for the Class B Work Permit. An operating fee of Kshs. 100,000/= per year will also be paid.
7. Class M Permit
This permit is issued to Conventional Refugees.
Class M Permit Requirements
- Recognition letters from UNHCR and Department of Refugee Affairs.
This permit is issued free of charge.
Submission of the Application.
-Dully completed Entry Permit applications should be submitted at immigration Aliens counter 9 located at Nyayo House Ground floor (south wing) for acknowledgment.
-Applications for renewal of entry permits should be done three months prior to the expiry date.
-These permits are normally issued for a period of two years.
-A fee Ksh 40/= is payable for Application forms.
Processing Time
The duration depends on the workload of the immigration officers and the country of origin of the applicant with some countries undergoing thorough scrutiny. It usually takes between 20 days – Max. 30 days.
Department of Immigration Contacts
Avenue/Uhuru Highway P.O Box 30191, Nairobi 00100
Tel: +254 202 222 022/+254 202 217 544
Email: infomirp@kenya.go.ke
Website: http://www.immigration.go.ke
