Residence & citizenship
Kenyan Permanent Residence
Grants permanent residence status in Kenya to long-term work-permit holders, spouses of citizens, former citizens and certain children of citizens.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
No permanent residence application fee is stated on the official page, so none is quoted here - verify the current fee before publishing.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Kenya government website before you apply.
- Official name
- Permanent Residence
- Route type
- Settlement / permanent residence
- Legal basis
- Sections 37-39, Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011
- Main residence qualification
- Work permit for at least 7 years and continuous residence for the 3 years before applying
- Spouse qualification
- Married to a Kenyan citizen for at least 3 years
- Application channel
- eFNS portal (fns.immigration.go.ke)
- Processing fee
- Kshs 50,000 (non-refundable)
- Paid online through the eFNS portal when submitting the application.
- Issuance fee (lawful residents, Category B)
- Kshs 750,000
- This is the issuance fee for the lawful-residents category; other categories have different issuance fees - confirm for the applicant's category.
- Where to submit
- Nyayo House, 17th Floor, North Wing, Nairobi
- Applied for online via the eFNS portal, then supporting documents submitted in person.
- Interview
- In-person interview required
- Applicants attend an interview to confirm or verify their eligibility.
Who it is for
- Category A - former citizens by birth who renounced Kenyan citizenship and cannot hold dual citizenship under their new country's laws
- Category B - holders of work permits for at least 7 years who have been continuously resident in Kenya for the 3 years preceding the application
- Category C - children of citizens born outside Kenya who have acquired the citizenship of their domicile
- Category D - spouses of a Kenyan citizen married for at least 3 years
- The children and spouses of the above may also apply
How to apply
- Apply online for the grant of permanent residence status on the eFNS portal at fns.immigration.go.ke
- Upload documents evidencing the qualifying category (e.g. proof of years on a work permit, marriage certificate, or renunciation of citizenship)
Documents you may need
- Online application completed on fns.immigration.go.ke, with printed forms and the online payment acknowledgement for the processing fee
- Permanent Residence Checklist, Form 23, a duly filled Questionnaire and the Payment Acknowledgement Receipt (downloaded from the eFNS portal)
- Cover letter addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services requesting permanent residence
- Copy of a valid passport
- Two current passport-size photographs
- Copies of all permits issued in Kenya
- Good conduct certificate
- Copy of a valid tax compliance certificate
- Copy of a valid foreigner certificate (Alien card)
Frequently asked questions
You apply online through the eFNS portal at fns.immigration.go.ke and pay the processing fee, then download the checklist, Form 23, questionnaire and payment receipt and submit them with your supporting documents in person at Nyayo House, 17th Floor, North Wing, Nairobi. An in-person interview is required.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.