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Republic of Kenya Department of Immigration Services

Department of Immigration Services eFNS Foreign Nationals Services
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Passes

Student, research or internship pass

For students, researchers and interns accepted by an approved institution in Kenya.

Form 30 Invoice on approval
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Who it is for

A student pass is issued under regulation 30(1) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations, 2012 to foreign students who wish to pursue their education at a Kenyan educational or training institution that has accepted or admitted them. The institution must be an approved educational or training establishment.

An internship or research pass is issued to a person who wishes to enter and remain in Kenya to undertake an internship or academic research. The applicant must be accepted as an intern or researcher by an institution in Kenya.

What you need

Have these ready before you apply. Incomplete applications are not accepted.

Student pass

  • Duly completed and signed Form 30, stamped by the institution’s authorised officer

  • Detailed, signed cover letter from the institution, addressed to the Director of Immigration Services, stating the course and its duration

  • Signed commitment letter from the sponsor

  • Copy of the sponsor’s national passport

  • Proof of funds, for self-sponsored students

  • For minors: a consent letter from a parent

  • For minors: a copy of the parent’s national passport and the minor’s birth certificate, as proof of the relationship

  • For minors who are not boarders: a copy of the parent’s Kenyan residence permit

  • Copy of your valid national passport (bio-data page)

  • Your current immigration status, if you are in Kenya

  • Two recent colour passport-size photographs

  • English translations of any documents in other languages, by an embassy, a notary public or an authorised or recognised institution

  • Certified copies of basic academic certificates, for those joining tertiary institutions and universities New applications

  • Copy of the school’s or college’s registration certificate from the Ministry of Education New applications

  • For refugees: a clearance letter from the Department of Refugee Affairs

  • Certified copies of progress reports or transcripts from the institution Renewals

  • Copy of the student pass previously held Renewals

  • Police clearance certificate from your country of origin or, if you are resident, from the Kenya Police Service

Internship or research pass

  • Duly completed and signed Form 30, stamped by the institution’s authorised officer

  • Detailed, signed cover letter from the institution, addressed to the Director of Immigration Services, stating the internship or research topic and its duration

  • Copy of your valid national passport (bio-data page)

  • Your current immigration status, if you are in Kenya

  • Two recent colour passport-size photographs

  • Duly certified copies of academic certificates, and a CV

  • English translations of any documents in other languages, by an embassy, a notary public or an authorised or recognised institution

  • For research: a copy of the research permit from the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI)

  • Police clearance certificate from your country of origin or, if you are resident, from the Kenya Police Service

Fees

The fee for this application is shown on your invoice before you pay. All fees are paid through eCitizen.

How to apply

  1. Step 1: Sign in with eCitizen

    Use your Government of Kenya eCitizen account. If you do not have one yet, registration is free.

    Create an eCitizen account

  2. Step 2: Complete the application

    Fill in Form 30 online, for yourself or on behalf of someone else, and print it when you finish.

  3. Step 3: Pay once it is approved

    An invoice is raised when your application is approved. Pay it through eCitizen by M-PESA, Airtel Money or card.

  4. Step 4: Present your documents

    Take your printed application and the documents listed above to the immigration office named under “Good to know”.

  5. Step 5: Follow your application

    You receive email and account notifications as your application moves through each stage.

Good to know

  • Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  • Engaging in any form of business or employment without the requisite permit or pass is an offence.
  • Printed applications must be presented at Immigration headquarters.
  • It is an offence to receive education or training at any educational or training establishment in Kenya without a student pass (regulation 30(7) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations, 2012).
  • Knowingly misleading an immigration officer is an offence.
  • Notification of approval is not authority to engage in business, a profession, employment or residence: you must first obtain the pass.
  • It is an offence for a student pass holder to engage in any form of trade or employment, whether for gain or not.