Work Permit (Class D - Employment)
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- 30-60 business days
- Fee
- KES 20,000 processing + issuance fees
- Validity
- 2 years (renewable)
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Eligibility
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Employment
Must have a confirmed job offer from a Kenyan employer. The position must require skills or qualifications not readily available among Kenyan citizens.
Required status: Confirmed employment offer from Kenyan employer
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Criminal record
Must provide a police clearance certificate from country of origin. Applicants with serious criminal records may be denied.
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 12
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Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Recent passport-size colour photographs
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Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes
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Police clearance
Countries required: Country of origin; Validity months: 6
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Work Permit Application; Form url: https://fns.immigration.go.ke
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Cover letter
Explain the purpose of travel, travel dates, who will pay, and why you will leave before the visa or permission expires.
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Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
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Academic transcript
Provide academic records for the course, qualification or training route.
Must be notarized: Yes; Must be translated: No
How to apply
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Online application
Apply through the eFNS (electronic Foreign Nationals Service) portal. Create an account on the eCitizen platform to access the work permit application.
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Document gathering
Gather required documents: valid passport, passport photos, employment offer letter with salary details, CV, certified academic qualifications, police clearance certificate, and cover letter from employer.
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Fee payment
Pay the work permit processing fee of KES 20,000 via the eCitizen portal. Additional issuance fees apply upon approval.
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Document submission
Submit the completed application with all supporting documents through the eFNS online portal.
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Processing wait
Wait for the work permit to be processed. Processing typically takes 30-60 business days.
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Visa collection
Once approved, collect the work permit from the Directorate of Immigration Services.