Kenya work visa: the Class D employment permit

The Seventh Schedule of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations defines Class D as employment offered by a specific employer, the Government of Kenya, a body under government control or an approved UN or other technical aid scheme, to a person who is not an exempted person, has skills or qualifications not available in Kenya and whose engagement will benefit Kenya. The permit is tied to that employer and post.

The localisation principle runs through the requirements. The employer must provide evidence that the vacancy could not be filled from the local labour market through competitive recruitment, and must identify a Kenyan understudy who will be trained to take over the role, with the understudy's ID, certificates, CV and contact details. If the employment ends, the employer has to report it in writing to the Director within 15 days.

The Directorate lists: Form 25 completed and signed; a signed cover letter from the employer to the Director General of Immigration Services; the passport bio page; current immigration status if in Kenya; a recent colour photo; a valid tax compliance certificate for the company (for renewals, for both the company and the employee); duly certified academic and professional certificates and the applicant's CV; Form 27 completed and signed; the understudy's details and documents; the organisation's certificate of registration; clearance letters from relevant institutions; and evidence of the failed local recruitment. Documents in other languages must be translated into English by an embassy, notary or recognised institution, so diplomas and professional certificates in other languages need certified English translations.

The Class D processing fee is KES 20,000 and is non-refundable. On approval an issuance fee of KES 500,000 per year of validity is due, according to both the Directorate's Class D page and its 2025 service delivery charter. Citizens of East African Community partner states pay nothing. Each accompanying spouse or child holds a Dependant's Pass at KES 10,000, and every resident foreigner over 18 also needs a foreigner certificate (alien card), which carries a separate yearly charge.

All permit applications are submitted online on the eFNS portal with every requirement uploaded. The 2025 charter sets 21 working days for a new permit and 10 working days for a renewal. Once issued, the e-permit is printed from eFNS and presented with the passport at an immigration office, normally Nyayo House in Nairobi, for free endorsement. A permit issued while the holder is abroad becomes invalid if they do not enter Kenya within 90 days, although the Director can extend this once by up to 90 days on written request.

The Director sets each permit's validity and it can be renewed on payment of the renewal fee, but never for more than five years at a time. Renewals require tax compliance certificates for both the company and the employee. Because the permit is tied to the employer, a new job means a new application. Holders must report changes such as a new address or employer, and working outside the permit's terms can lead to fines, removal and a re-entry ban.