Kenya family reunification visa: the Dependant's Pass

The Directorate issues the Dependant's Pass to a foreigner who is a dependant of a Kenyan citizen, a permit holder, a permanent resident or an exempted person such as accredited international staff. The typical cases are a foreign spouse of a Kenyan, and the spouse and children of a foreigner working in Kenya on a Class D or G permit. Other relatives can also qualify if the dependency is documented, for example through a medical condition, disability or age.

The principal must show sufficient and assured income to support both themselves and the dependant, and the dependant provides a sworn affidavit that they cannot support themselves. When the principal holds a work permit, it must have at least six months left before expiry. Each family member needs a separate pass; permanent residence does not pass automatically to relatives.

Required are Form 28 completed and signed; a detailed cover letter to the Director General of Immigration Services; the passport bio page or national ID of both the principal and the dependant; the current immigration status of both; two recent colour photos of the dependant; evidence of the relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate; proof of sufficient and assured income; the dependant's sworn affidavit of inability to sustain themselves; a copy of the principal's work permit with at least six months' validity where applicable; and documentary proof of the condition causing dependency. Civil status documents not in English should be obtained in multilingual or translated form; translations into English must come from an embassy, notary or recognised institution.

The issuance fee is KES 20,000 for a Dependant's Pass for the spouse or child of a Kenyan citizen and KES 10,000 for dependants of work permit and permanent residence holders; citizens of East African Community partner states pay nothing. The Directorate's 2025 charter sets 15 working days. Dependant's Pass holders who travel out of Kenya need a re-entry pass, which is applied for on eFNS with Form 16 and carries a yearly charge; it can be valid for up to two years.

The application is made online on fns.immigration.go.ke with all documents uploaded. When the pass is issued, it is printed from the portal and endorsed in the dependant's passport at an immigration office. Dependants who stay more than 90 days and are over 18 must register as foreign nationals and obtain an alien card. A Dependant's Pass does not give an independent right to work; a dependant who finds a job applies for the relevant work permit class.

A foreign spouse of a Kenyan citizen usually starts on a Dependant's Pass. After more than three years of a genuine marriage, the spouse may apply for permanent residence under Category D, with a KES 50,000 processing fee and a KES 150,000 issuance fee. The Directorate's charter also lists citizenship by marriage, which is a separate procedure.