Work visas
Kenyan Class D Work Permit (Employment)
Kenya's main employment work permit, for a foreign national who has been offered a specific job by a specific Kenyan employer.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
Annual issuance fee (commonly cited as KES 500,000/year) and the 2-year validity are not stated on the official pages and were not included as figures - verify 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
- Entry Permit Class D (Employment) - Form 25
- Route type
- Employer-sponsored work permit
- Processing fee
- KES 20,000 (non-refundable)
- Stated on the official eFNS information pack.
- Annual issuance fee
- Charged per year on approval
- The official page does not state the amount.
- Application channel
- eFNS portal (fns.immigration.go.ke)
Who it is for
- Foreign nationals offered specific employment by a specific Kenyan employer or government-controlled authority
- Applicants with skills or qualifications not readily available in Kenya
- Employment that will be of benefit to Kenya
Requirements
- Completed Form 25 submitted online
- Two signed cover letters from the employer to the Director of Immigration Services
- Completed Form 27 (Report on Employment)
- Copy of valid national passport bio-data page and two passport-sized colour photos
- Certified academic and professional certificates and a CV
- Kenyan understudy details: name, certified certificates, employment contract, CV and contacts
- Company/organisation registration certificate
- Tax Compliance Certificate from KRA (organisation for new applications; organisation and individual for renewals)
- Clearance letter from relevant regulatory institutions
- Current immigration status documentation (if already in Kenya) and English translations of any foreign-language documents
What you can do
- Work in Kenya in the specific employment named on the permit
- Apply for dependant passes for a spouse and children
- Renew the permit; time held counts toward permanent residence eligibility
How to apply
- Create an account and apply online on the eFNS portal at fns.immigration.go.ke
- Upload all required documents with the application
- Pay the processing fee and, on approval, the issuance fee
- Print the approved permit from eFNS and present it to an immigration office for endorsement
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.