Kenya Work Permit Guide: Class D, Class G, Special Passes & EAC Nationals

At a glance

The framework

Foreign nationals work in Kenya under permits and passes issued by the Directorate of Immigration Services, under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011 and the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations 2012. The Seventh Schedule to the Regulations sets out the classes (A to R), each with its own eligibility criteria, documents and fees. Applications are submitted through the Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal on eCitizen, using the prescribed forms. Two threshold rules govern everything that follows: it is unlawful to take up employment before authorisation is granted, and the class must match the actual activity — using the wrong class is a common reason for rejection.

Class D — employment

Class D is for a foreign national offered specific employment by a Kenyan employer, where the role calls for skills or qualifications not readily available locally and the employment benefits the country. The employer sponsors the application and must usually designate a Kenyan understudy, supported by the understudy’s CV, certificates and a training plan, so that the role can in time be localised. Supporting documents typically include the employment contract, the employer’s tax compliance and registration documents, and the applicant’s qualifications and passport.

The processing fee is KES 20,000 (non-refundable), with an annual issuance fee on approval — currently in the order of KES 500,000 per year, which you should confirm on the eFNS invoice, as fees were revised in December 2024. A security bond is generally required. Processing typically takes several weeks where the file is complete; incomplete recruitment or understudy evidence is the usual cause of delay.

Class G — trade, business and consultancy

Class G is for a person who intends to engage, alone or in partnership, in a specific trade, business, consultancy or profession that is not a “prescribed profession.” The defining requirement is capital of at least USD 100,000 to be invested in the Kenyan business, evidenced through a Kenyan bank account, together with a business plan, company registration documents and proof that the venture will benefit the country and create local employment. The processing fee is KES 20,000, with an annual issuance fee officially set at KES 250,000 per year for this class (confirm the current figure on the portal). This is the route most foreign investors and owner-managers take.

The Special Pass — a bridge, not a permit

A Special Pass authorises short-term work or business for a period not exceeding six months, at USD 200 per month for non-EAC nationals. It is designed for genuinely temporary assignments — equipment installation, training delivery, short consultancy — or as a bridge while a substantive permit is processed. It is not a substitute for a Class D or G permit for ongoing work, and overstaying or misusing it carries immigration consequences.

EAC nationals — the Class R permit

The December 2024 amendments (Legal Notice 198 of 2024) reshaped the position for citizens of East African Community member states. Previously they applied under the ordinary classes with fees waived; now they apply under a dedicated Class R permit that consolidates employment, business, trade and professional activity into one streamlined category and is issued gratis — fee-free. The Directorate began issuing Class R permits in 2025. Class R reflects the EAC Common Market commitment to free movement of labour and is the default route for an EAC national living and working in Kenya.

Other classes and related statuses

The same 2024 amendments introduced further categories, including Class N for digital nomads working remotely for employers registered abroad, who must show an assured annual income from outside Kenya and not take up local employment. Long-standing classes also cover prospecting and mining (A), agriculture (B), specific manufacturing (F), approved religious activity (I) and ordinary residents of independent means (K). Separately, dependants — a spouse and children — can apply for dependant’s passes to reside with the permit holder, and every visitor now requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travel, which is distinct from a work permit and does not authorise employment. On approval, a permit holder generally completes alien registration for a Foreign National ID.

Renewals, compliance and pitfalls

Most permits are renewable provided the holder still meets the eligibility criteria, and the renewal should be filed through eFNS before expiry to avoid a lapse in lawful status. The recurring pitfalls are applying under the wrong class, weak understudy or recruitment evidence on Class D, insufficient or unverifiable capital on Class G, starting work before approval, and allowing a permit to lapse. In our view the time to get advice is before the application, when the class and the evidence base are chosen — not after a rejection.

What you should do now

• Match the activity to the right class — employment (D), investment or business (G), short-term (Special Pass), or EAC (R).
• Assemble the class-specific evidence — for Class D the understudy and training plan; for Class G verifiable capital of at least USD 100,000 and a business plan.
• Apply through eFNS and do not start work until the permit is granted; use a Special Pass to bridge if work must begin sooner.
• Confirm current fees on the eFNS invoice, as the schedule was revised in December 2024.
• Diarise renewals well before expiry, and complete alien registration on approval.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Class D and a Class G permit?

Class D is an employment permit tied to a specific Kenyan employer, usually requiring a Kenyan understudy. Class G is for a person running a trade, business or consultancy and requires proof of capital of at least USD 100,000.

How long can I work on a Special Pass?

Up to six months. It is for short-term assignments or as a bridge while a longer permit is processed, at USD 200 per month for non-EAC nationals, and is not a substitute for a substantive permit.

Do EAC nationals need a work permit in Kenya?

Yes, but they apply under the consolidated Class R permit introduced by the December 2024 amendments, which is issued fee-free and covers employment, business and professional activity.

Can I start work while my permit is pending?

No. It is unlawful to work before authorisation is granted. A Special Pass can bridge the gap where work must start sooner.

Can my family come with me?

Yes. A spouse and children can apply for dependant’s passes to reside in Kenya alongside the permit holder.

Disclaimer: This article has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute a lawyer-client relationship. Nothing in this article is intended to guarantee, warranty, or predict the outcome of a particular case and should not be construed as such a guarantee, warranty, or prediction. The authors are not responsible for any actions (or lack thereof) taken as a result of relying on or in any way using information contained in this article and in no event shall be liable for any damages resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Readers should take specific advice from a qualified professional when dealing with specific situations.