Applying for a Work Permit in Kenya

Kenya’s growing economy attracts investors and skilled professionals from around the globe. For those looking to work in Kenya, understanding the work permit process is essential. This guide provides a clear breakdown of work permit categories, application steps, eligibility criteria, costs, and the importance of legal assistance.

Work Permit Categories in Kenya

Kenya offers several work permit classes, each suited to different professional activities:

1. Class A: Mining and Prospecting
• For those engaged in mining or mineral prospecting.
• Requires proof of funds and relevant licenses.
2. Class B: Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
• For large-scale agricultural and livestock activities.
3. Class C: Specific Trade, Business, or Professional
• For professionals, entrepreneurs, and artisans with specialized skills.
4. Class D: Employment
• For individuals offered specific employment by a specific employer, the Kenyan government, or other approved agencies.
5. Class G: Foreign Investors
• For investors involved in specific trades, businesses, or consultancy roles.
6. Class I: Missionary Activities
• For individuals involved in missionary work.
7. Class K: Residence
• For retirees and those intending to reside in Kenya without working.
8. Class M: Refugees
• For individuals recognized as refugees allowed to stay in Kenya.

WORK PERMIT CLASSES

Work permits in Kenya are issued by the Department of Immigration. They are issued in various classes depending on the activity that a person intends to undertake in Kenya.

CLASSES

 Class A

Issued to persons who intend to prospect for minerals and mining.

Requirements

• Obtain all the required licenses or be assured that they will be obtained.
• Sufficient capital required for investments
• For renewal of the permit the required licenses will be required and copy of PIN.

Class B

Issued to persons who intend to engage in agriculture and animal husbandry.

Requirements

• Proof of leasehold interest in land for that purpose.
• Proof of capital available for that purpose
• Clearance from the relevant bodies

Class C & D

 Issued to persons who have been offered employment by specific employer and is qualified to undertake that employment.

Requirements

• Copies of academic/professional certificates and the curriculum vitae.
• Evidence that the organization duly failed to fill the vacancy from the local labour market.
• Form 22 (Application for Kenyan Visa) duly filled, signed and sealed by the company.

The prescribed professions are:

1. Medical profession; any person who would be entitled to registration as a medical practitioner in Kenya.
2. Dentists; any person who would be entitled to registration as a dentist in Kenya.
3. Legal profession; any person who is an Advocate within the meaning of the Advocates Act (Cap. 16).
4. Surveyors any person licensed as a surveyor under the Survey Act (Cap. 299).
5. Estate Agent, Valuer and Land Agent Any person who is a Fellow or Professional Associate of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
6. Architects or Quantity Surveyors; any person who would be entitled to registration as an architect or quantity surveyor under the Architects and Quantity Surveyors Act (Cap. 525).
7. Pharmacists; any person who would be entitled to registration as a pharmacist under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act (Cap. 244).
8. Veterinary Surgeons; any person who would be entitled to be registered or licensed as a veterinary surgeon under the Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Para‐professional Act, 2011 (No. 29 of 2011).

Class G

Issued to investors in specific trade, business or consultancy.

Requirements

• Documentary proof of capital to be invested /already invested minimum of 100,000 US dollars or its equivalent.
• Certificate of incorporation/compliance for the Company.
• For renewal of the certificate, audited accounts for the previous two years and a certificate of compliance from Kenya revenue authority (KRA) will be required.

Class I

Issued to persons in the country for religious or charitable purposes.

Requirements

• A copy of the registration certificate of the organization.
• Academic and professional certificates for the applicant.

Class K

 Issued to ordinary residents assured of an income derived outside Kenya and who undertake to not accept any paid employment in the country.

Requirements

• Documentary proof of assured income.

 Class M

 Issued to conventional refugees

 Requirements

• Duly filled and signed application form
• Letter from the employer organization.
• Copies of the national passport
• Two coloured passport size photographs

OFFICIAL FEES

CLASS	ACTIVITY	PROCESSING FEE(Kshs)	ISSUANCE FEE PER ANNUM       (Kshs)
Class A	Mining	10,000	250,000
Class B	Agriculture	10,000	100,000
Class C	Prescribed professions	10,000	100,000
Class D	Employment	10,000	200,000
Class G	Investors	10,000	200,000
Class I	Religion and Charity	1,000	5,000
Class K	Ordinary residents	10,000	100,000
Class M	Refugees	n/a	n/a

 

PROCEDURE

 An application is made to the Department of Immigration at Nyayo House Ground Floor accompanied by the requisite forms and fees.

The application is examined and if approved the work permit is issued.

TIMELINES

3-6 Months.

Special pass

 A special pass will be granted where a person wishes to remain in Kenya for a limited period of time when;

• Applying for review of a decision denying a permit.
• Applying for a pass or permit
• Temporarily conducting any trade or business or profession or
• For any other purpose which the immigration officer considers suitable.

A special pass will be issued for a period not exceeding six months.

 Fees

Issuance fees of Kshs 15,000/= per month.

Application Steps for a Work Permit

1. Assess Eligibility

• Verify eligibility based on employment status and qualifications.
• Identify the appropriate permit class.

2. Secure a Job Offer

• Obtain a job offer from a Kenyan employer willing to sponsor your application.
• Employer must submit a cover letter with the application.

3. Gather Required Documents

• Cover letter from employer, self, or organization.
• Copies of the national passport.
• Two recent passport-size photographs.
• Application fees upon approval.
• Documentation of current immigration status if in Kenya.
• Translated documents if necessary.
• Specific documents based on permit class (e.g., proof of funds, PIN certificates).

4. Submit the Application

• Submit the application well in advance to avoid delays.

5. Maintain Communication

• Stay in regular contact with your employer.
• Ensure all parties are informed and can address issues promptly.

6. Track Application Progress

• Keep records of all submitted documents.
• Monitor the application’s progress to handle additional requests from authorities.