Practice Area

Immigration

Immigration law services for businesses and individuals relocating to or investing in Kenya.

Work permits (Classes A to R), dependant passes, special passes, permanent residence applications and citizenship matters before the Directorate of Immigration Services. We advise multinational employers on bulk work-permit processing for project teams, expatriate quota planning, and compliance with the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act.

Key capabilities

Work permit and pass applications
Business immigration advisory
Citizenship and residency matters
Immigration compliance for employers
Investor visa advisory

Immigration

Immigration law services for businesses and individuals relocating to or investing in Kenya.

What we advise on. We advise on the full range of immigration permissions: work permits across all classes (A to R), dependant passes, student and special passes, permanent residence, and citizenship by registration or naturalisation. For corporate clients we manage bulk and project-based work-permit programmes, expatriate quota planning, and immigration-compliance audits; for individuals we handle investor and high-net-worth residence applications.

Governing law and regulators. Our work is governed by the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011 and its regulations, administered by the Directorate of Immigration Services and the Directorate of Immigration. We coordinate immigration with our Employment and Tax teams so that the permit, the contract and the payroll position are aligned.

Who we act for. We act for multinational employers deploying staff to Kenya, infrastructure and energy contractors mobilising project teams, NGOs and development partners, and individual investors and professionals. Our corporate clients value a single point of contact who can move dozens of applications in parallel against a project timetable.

Why OLM for immigration. Immigration delays stall projects and frustrate hires. We prepare applications that are right first time, we track them through the Directorate of Immigration Services, and we keep employers compliant so a routine audit never becomes a problem.

Immigration Law Services in Kenya

Work Permits & Investor Visas in Kenya

Why Choose OLM Law for Immigration in Nairobi?

Applying for a work permit? Our detailed guide to Kenya work permit classes breaks down Class D, Class G, special passes and EAC-national requirements, timelines and costs. Our work permit FAQ answers the application questions we are asked most often. If an application is refused, our guide to work permit refusals and appeals in Kenya sets out the review and appeal routes. For those who have held a work permit or been resident long enough to move beyond renewal, see our guide to permanent residence and citizenship in Kenya. The answers below cover the broader immigration and permit process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which work permit class do I need to work in Kenya? The class depends on the activity — for example, Class D covers specific employment by a named employer, Class G covers a specific trade, business or consultancy and is the route most investors take, and Class I covers approved religious and charitable activities. We assess the right class for your role and employer before applying.

How long does a Kenyan work permit take? The Directorate’s Service Delivery Charter 2025 sets a standard of 21 working days for a new permit and 10 working days for a renewal. In practice a complete, correctly classified Class D or Class G application commonly takes around 30 to 60 calendar days from submission to decision, though processing times vary. We submit complete, well-documented applications to minimise delays and follow up regularly on progress.

Can a foreign national work in Kenya on a business visa? No. A business visa allows attendance at meetings and conferences but not employment or performance of services for compensation. A work permit or special pass is required before commencing employment activities.

What is an expatriate quota in Kenya? Certain regulated sectors and government departments require employers to obtain an approved expatriate quota — a pre-authorisation for a fixed number of foreign workers — before applying for individual work permits. We obtain and manage quotas for corporate clients.

Industry sectors we advise in this area: NGOs & Development Partners · Technology & Telecoms · Hospitality & Tourism · Manufacturing & Industrials

Related practice areas: Employment & Labour · Corporate & Commercial

See also: Representative Matters · Our Lawyers · All Practice Areas