Work Permit Classes in Kenya: What Employers Need to Know

When hiring foreign talent, you must ensure that the employee or candidate is authorised to work in Kenya.

Failing to do so can result in a rejected eFNS application, non-refundable fees, and onboarding delays. And if the foreign national starts working without the required authorisation, you could face penalties of up to KSh 500,000, three years’ imprisonment, or both, according to section 53 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act.

To help you choose the right permit for your hire, this guide breaks down Kenya’s work permit classes and highlights the ones most relevant to employers.

Overview: Kenya’s Work Permit Classes at a Glance

The Directorate of Immigration Services currently lists the following work permit classes.

Which Work Permit Classes Matter Most to Employers?

While Kenya has several permit classes, four are particularly relevant to employers hiring foreign talent:

Class D: Employment

Class D is the main permit for foreign nationals employed by a Kenyan company. It is generally used when the role requires skills or qualifications that are not readily available in Kenya.

The application requires:

• Evidence supporting the need for the foreign hire: This includes details of the recruitment process and why a foreign national is the best option for the position.
• Kenyan understudy details: The employer must provide information about the proposed understudy, including their identification, qualifications and CV.

Class D is particularly relevant for businesses hiring technical specialists, senior professionals, and other employees with specialised skills.

Class G: Specific Trade, Business or Consultancy

Class G is for a foreign national intending to engage in a specific trade, business, consultancy, or non-prescribed profession in Kenya. Unlike Class D, it is not tied to employment with a specific Kenyan employer.

Requirements include:

• Capital investment: Documentary proof of at least US$100,000 in capital.
• Business documentation: Relevant company registration and supporting documents for the proposed activity.

This means Class G matters to foreign nationals establishing or running a business, trade, or consultancy in Kenya.

Class R: EAC Nationals

Class R applies to citizens of East African Community member states who intend to reside, work, conduct business, trade, or practise a prescribed profession in Kenya. Its main points include:

• Who qualifies: Citizens of EAC partner states who meet the relevant requirements.
• No permit fees: Class R is currently issued without processing or issuance fees for eligible EAC nationals.

It’s for businesses recruiting employees or professionals from across East Africa. But employers must ensure the employee gets the appropriate immigration status and provides the required supporting documents to qualify.

Class N: Digital Nomads

Class N is for foreign nationals living in Kenya who work remotely for a company or business based outside Kenya. The key distinction is the employer’s location: if the person works for a Kenyan company, Class N does not apply.

Other Work Permit Classes in Kenya

Here’s a brief overview of the other work permit classes in Kenya:

• Class A: Covers mineral prospecting and mining activities carried out in Kenya, either independently or in partnership.
• Class B: Applies to agricultural and animal husbandry businesses.
• Class C: Includes members of prescribed professions who want to practise independently or in partnership in Kenya.
• Class F: Applies to foreign nationals engaging in specific manufacturing activities, either alone or in partnership.
• Class I: Covers non-EAC nationals belonging to registered religious institutions and involved in activities such as missionary work, preaching, or religious worship and rituals.
• Class K: Intended for people aged 35 or older with an assured annual income from sources outside employment, business, trade or professions covered by another permit class.
• Class M: Applies to recognised refugees and their spouses who want to take up employment or engage in an occupation, trade, business or profession.
• Class P: Caters to qualifying staff of the UN, diplomatic missions, intergovernmental organisations and international NGOs.
• Class Q: Covers members of prescribed professions working for religious or charitable organisations, excluding those involved in preaching or conducting religious worship and rituals.

The appropriate category will depend on the foreign national’s role and situation.

Special Passes vs. Work Permits

A Special Pass (Form 32) is a temporary authorisation that allows a foreign national to stay in Kenya for up to six months to conduct business, trade, or a profession.

The difference between a Special Pass and a work permit is in how long the person will be in Kenya and what they are coming to do. For example, a foreign technician coming to Kenya to install equipment for a few weeks may use a Special Pass, while one joining a Kenyan company would need the appropriate work permit.

Using a Special Pass when a work permit is required can lead to dire legal and financial consequences.

How to Apply for a Work Permit in Kenya

Applying for a work permit involves submitting the required documents through the eFNS portal.

What You Need

The documents required depend on the permit class, but employers may need to prepare:

• Company documents: Registration documents and a valid Tax Compliance Certificate.
• Employee documents: A valid passport, academic or professional certificates, CV, and other documents relevant to the applicant.
• Role-specific evidence: For Class D applications, this can include evidence of the recruitment process and information about the Kenyan understudy.

Make sure the information is consistent across the eFNS application, employment documents, and supporting records. Incomplete applications can delay the process or result in rejection.

How to Apply

To apply, log in to the Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal and select the relevant permit or pass. Complete the application, upload the required documents, and pay the applicable processing fee.

Once the application is approved, pay the issuance fee, if required, then print the document.

Costs and Processing Times

Costs vary by permit class. Class D, for example, has a KSh 20,000 processing fee and a KSh 500,000 annual issuance fee, while Class G costs KSh 20,000 to process and KSh 250,000 annually. Class R permits for eligible EAC nationals are currently issued free of charge.

Regarding processing times, the Directorate’s 2025 service charter lists 21 working days for standard permit decisions, 10 for renewals, and 7 for Special Passes. However, you should budget at least 4 weeks for a new application to account for any processing delays.

Common Mistakes Employers Make

A few avoidable mistakes can lead to delayed or rejected applications. The most common ones include:

Allowing a Foreign Employee to Start Work Too Early

A foreign national should not start employment before getting the required permit or pass. It exposes their employer to prosecution under Section 53 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act.

Applying Under the Wrong Permit Class

The right class depends on what the foreign national will actually be doing in Kenya. For example, an employee hired by a Kenyan company, a foreign business owner, and someone working remotely for an overseas company may require different immigration permissions.

Overlooking Class D Requirements

Class D applications require employers to provide evidence relating to local recruitment and a Kenyan understudy. Leaving these requirements until the application stage can cause delays.

Submitting Incomplete or Inconsistent Documents

Make sure names, job details, company information, qualifications, and other key details match across the application and supporting documents. Missing or inconsistent information can delay processing.

Waiting Until a Permit Is About to Expire

Don’t leave renewals until the last minute. Track permit expiry dates and start the renewal process early enough to allow time for processing.

Choose the Right Work Permit for Your Hire

Kenya has several work permit classes, but the right one depends on what the foreign national will be doing in the country. For employers, the key is to identify the correct class, prepare the required documents, and make sure the employee has the necessary authorisation before starting work.

For businesses hiring across Kenya and East Africa, understanding these requirements early can help avoid rejected applications, unnecessary fees, and onboarding delays.

Planning to hire foreign talent? Bridge Talent Group helps businesses recruit and manage talent across Kenya and East Africa. Talk to our team about your hiring plans and how we can support you.

FAQs

Can a foreigner work in Kenya without a work permit?

No. A foreign national must have the required work permit or pass before starting work in Kenya.

How long does it take to get a work permit in Kenya?

The Directorate’s 2025 service charter lists 21 working days for standard permit decisions, although employers should allow additional time for possible delays.

How much does a Kenyan work permit cost?

Fees depend on the permit class. For example, Class D currently costs KSh 20,000 to process and KSh 500,000 annually.

What is a Special Pass in Kenya?

A Special Pass is a temporary authorisation for a foreign national to stay in Kenya for up to six months for activities such as business, trade, or professional work.

Can a foreign employee start work while their permit application is being processed?

No. The employee should wait until the required work permit or pass has been issued before starting work.