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Republic of Kenya Department of Immigration Services

Department of Immigration Services eFNS Foreign Nationals Services
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Work permits · Class R

East African Community nationals

For citizens of East African Community member states who want to live, work, do business or practise a profession in Kenya.

Form 25 Invoice on submission
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Who it is for

This permit is issued to a citizen of a member state of the East African Community who is not a prohibited immigrant, who intends to reside, take up employment, engage in an activity, business or trade, or practise a prescribed profession, and whose presence will be of benefit to Kenya.

What you need

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

  • Duly completed and signed Form 25, printed at the end of your online application

  • Two recent colour passport-size photographs

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

  • Your current immigration status, if you are in Kenya

  • Cover letter from the organisation or employer, addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services

  • Certificate of registration of the organisation or business

  • Academic or professional certificates

  • Clearance letters or licences from the relevant bodies, for members of a prescribed profession

Investors, farmers and residents

  • Investors: proof of capital investment

  • Farmers: proof of land ownership or lease

  • Investors: shareholding certificate (CR12)

  • Residents: proof of the source of income

Missionaries

  • Letter from the sending religious society in your home country

  • Proof of registration of the sending religious society in your home country

  • Details of the sending religious society’s headquarters:

    • physical address
    • telephone number
    • email address
    • contact details of a senior official: name, title (for example Bishop, Sheikh or Priest), telephone number and email address

  • Supporting letter from a local umbrella religious body, such as SUPKEM, the Hindu Council, the Sikh Union or another recognised religious body

  • Documentary proof of training in the religious faith

  • Certificate of ordination, where applicable

  • Details of the work station:

    • name, for example Masjid Musa, Majengo, Mombasa, or St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tudor, Mombasa
    • physical address: location, road or street, town or village, and county
    • telephone number
    • email address
    • contact person: name, title and telephone number

Renewals

  • Your individual tax compliance certificate

  • Your employer’s tax compliance certificate

  • Investors: the company’s tax compliance certificate

  • Labourers and small-scale traders: a police clearance certificate from Kenya

Fees

Fee Amount When it is charged
Processing fee When you submit No fee When you submit
Issuance fee When your application is approved No fee When your application is approved

Fees are set by the Department and can change: the amount on your invoice is the one that applies. Fees are non-refundable once paid.

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 25 online, for yourself or on behalf of someone else, and print it when you finish.

  3. Step 3: Pay the invoice

    An invoice is raised when you submit your application. 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

  • The processing fee is non-refundable.
  • 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 or at any regional immigration office.