Africa
Kenya immigration and visa guide
Known as the Silicon Savannah, Kenya offers the Class D Employment Permit for skilled expatriates, Class G Investor Permit, and special tech hub visas.
Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS) - Ministry of Interior & eCitizen
- Processing time
- 4 – 10 weeks
- Passport validity
- 6+ months
- Points-based system
- No
- Digital nomad friendly
- No
Visa options in Kenya
Key requirements
- Employment contract with a registered Kenyan company or regional multinational headquarters in Nairobi
- Proof that no Kenyan citizen is currently qualified/available for the position (Labor market justification)
- Certified academic degree certificates and clean police clearance certificate from country of origin
How to apply for a Kenya visa: step by step
- 1
eCitizen Electronic Foreign Nationals Portal (eFNS)
Submit digital application on fns.immigration.go.ke with company registration and CV.
4 - 8 weeks
- 2
Permit Approval & Statutory Issuance Fee
Receive notification of approval from the Permits Determination Committee and pay statutory fee.
1 - 2 weeks
- 3
Alien Card Biometrics (Foreign National Certificate)
Visit Nyayo House in Nairobi for biometric capture to collect physical Alien Card.
2 - 3 weeks post-arrival
Official government links
Frequently asked questions
What is Nairobi’s Silicon Savannah ecosystem?
Nairobi is East Africa’s preeminent technological and financial capital, hosting regional headquarters for Google, Microsoft, Amazon AWS, and hundreds of high-growth fintech startups.
Find a licensed adviser
For advice on your own case, use a licensed immigration lawyer or adviser. Always check they are registered before you pay anyone. Imiatlas does not refer or review cases.
Look for a lawyer registered with the national bar association or law society in Kenya. The official immigration website explains any rules on who may represent applicants.
Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS) - Ministry of Interior & eCitizenGeneral information to help you research, not legal advice. Rules change often: always confirm with Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS) - Ministry of Interior & eCitizen on the official website before applying.