Foreign national registration
Foreign nationals who live in Kenya for more than 90 days must register and hold a foreign national certificate (alien card).
4 services
About foreign national registration
Registration of foreign nationals is governed by Part VII of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011, which requires every foreign national resident in Kenya for more than 90 days to be registered. A foreign national is anyone who is not a citizen of Kenya.
Who is exempt from registration
- serving members of the armed forces
- public officers, and their spouses and children
- persons exempted from the Act under section 34(3)
- refugees registered under the Refugees Act, 2006
- persons staying in Kenya for a continuous period of no more than three months with a valid visitor’s pass or other authority under the Act, such as a special pass
Choose the right service
Each page sets out who can apply, the documents you need and how to apply.
- Foreign national certificate (alien card) The registration certificate for foreign nationals living in Kenya: first issue, renewal, correction or replacement. Requirements and how to apply
- Re-entry pass For holders of dependant passes who need to leave Kenya and come back. Requirements and how to apply
- Extension of visitor’s pass For visitors who want to extend their stay in Kenya. Requirements and how to apply
- Regularisation of immigration status For people who need to regularise their stay in Kenya, for example while awaiting a permit or pass. Requirements and how to apply