For the latest updates always check with immigration’s website at http://www.immigration.go.ke/
LATEST NOTICE FROM IMMIGRATION
Foreign Nationals Services ( eFNS)
This is to inform the General Public that as from 1st March 2016, all Foreign Nationals Services i.e Permits & Passes, Aliens Card, Permanent Residence & Kenya Citizenship Applications must now be filled and submitted online via https://fns.immigration.go.ke/We are in a position to fill and submit online applications on behalf of our clients using our Agency Immigration Account. If you would like to use our services kindly CONTACT US.
Please read through the notes below before referring to your relevant pass instructions:
- Applications for Passes made by East Africans (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) are free of charge
- All applicants (of 18 years and above) must register for a Foreign National Certificate (Alien ID) once they receive their Pass. (Those applying for Special Passes will not need to register until they renew their 3 month Special Pass for another 3 months). For more information, click HERE
- Dependent Pass holders are required to obtain a re-entry pass before they travel out of Kenya. See the bottom of this page for details. Be sure to have your passport endorsed with the re-entry pass. Holders of Special Passes and Pupil Passes are no longer required to obtain re-entry pass; their respective passport endorsements now suffice.
- Applicants must first obtain clearance from the relevant regulatory body (if applicable) BEFORE submitting their applications at immigration
- Those obtaining research passes must first obtain affiliation with a local institution BEFORE submitting their applications at immigration
SPECIAL PASS
Kenya Special Passes are issued under regulation 34 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations, 2012. The pass is issued to a foreigner who wishes to enter or remain in Kenya for a limited period or temporarily conducting a business, trade or profession. This document is issued for a short duration not exceeding three(3) months
Please CONTACT US for more information of the requirements needed to apply for a Special Pass.
STUDENT/PUPIL PASS
Student/ pupil passes are now required for any non-diplomatic foreign national seeking to attend an educational or training institution in Kenya. This is a document issued to person(s) seeking to enter and remain in the country for the purpose of receiving education or training at an educational or training establishment within the country by which he/she has been accepted as a student/pupil.
Please note the following:
- The institution you are applying to must be registered as an educational establishment.
- Student pass holders must travel to Kenya within 30 days of their pass’s issuance and must begin school within 30 days of entry.
- The Pupils’ Pass has to be renewed every 2 years
- The approval is in the form of a slip of paper and stamp in the passport.
- Like dependent passes, student passes grant their holders permission to enter and reside in Kenya and to travel abroad and re-enter during their validity. Student passes, however, expire if the holder leaves his or her educational or training institution. Student pass holders must also apply for a new pass if they change schools.
Please CONTACT US for more information of the requirements needed to apply for a Student/Pupil Pass.
RESEARCH/ INTERNSHIP PASS
Please note the following:
- Applicants must be in Kenya during time of application
- Those obtaining research passes must first obtain affiliation with a local institution BEFORE submitting their applications at immigration
- The local institution you are affiliated with must be registered in Kenya (they will need to provide copies of their registration certificate)
- Like dependent passes, research passes grant their holders permission to enter and reside in Kenya and to travel abroad and re-enter during their validity. Research passes, however, expire if the holder leaves his or her educational or training institution. Research pass holders must also apply for a new pass if they change institutions.
Please CONTACT US for more information of the requirements needed to apply for a Research/Internship Pass.
DEPENDENT PASS
1) The applicant must either be;
a) Kenyan
b) Holder of valid entry permit
c) Exempted person under Immunities Act (Cap. 179) and who are covered under section 4(3) (a) to (g)
Special Notes:
- The holder of the entry permit or the Kenyan citizen is considered the applicant of the form and is the one who will apply for his/ her spouse
- The dependent pass is only for married couples
- It is an offense, while in possession of a Dependent Pass, to engage in any form of trade or employment either for gain or not.
Please CONTACT US for more information of the requirements needed to apply for a Dependent Pass.
RE-ENTRY PASS
Those on Dependent Passes must obtain a 2 year re-entry pass (1 year re-entry pass for those whose spouses have a 1 year permit) and must renew this every time the spouse’s entry permit is being renewed. Dependent Passes do not need to be renewed. Dependent Passes automatically expire once the Spouse’s entry permit expires.
Please CONTACT US for more information of the requirements needed to apply for a Re-entry Pass.
Father's Hand Limited 
hi I am from Burundi and wish to apply for a work permit here in Kenya. I would like to know how much it will cost me. A friend told me that there is 10,000ksh processing fee and 20,000ksh statutory fee. Is that true? Is there any other amount to be paid? Considering that Burundi is part of East African community.
Thank you
Dear Nene,
Thank you for contacting us and happy new year to you.
All East African permit applications are free, in terms of immigration fees. Refer to fns.immigration.go.ke to view these details.
Dear Andrew,
Thank you for contacting us. It is not possible for you to submit a citizenship application if you will not be present in the country. As part of the citizenship requirements, one must have a valid current status (work permit/dependent pass etc.) throughout the application. Unfortunately, the dependent pass department does not encourage granting dependent passes to men, unless they have a medical condition that prohibits them from working, or if their age hinders their working activities. If you cannot prove that you are unable to work, I would advise against obtaining a dependent pass, as the application will have a high chance rejection.
Hi,
I am British, born and living in London with my family. I got married to my wife whom is a Kenyan national in Nairobi in 2008, she moved to London UK same year and is now a dual citizen, we have a 6 year old child whom is also a dual national British/kenyan.
I have contacted the embassy in London with regards to gaining Kenyan Citizenship due to the 7 year rule as we may decide to go and live in Nairobi for a year initially. I was told by the embassy that I have to have a dependants pass as part of my application. Is this possible to do whilst both myself and my wife continue living in London? Could you advise on the procedure if so.
Andrew
Hi
l am on a student pass right now and currently at school in Nairobi,if l graduate how can l proceed to get a work permit whilst l will be looking for a job…l would like to know how can l remain in Kenya after my studies on a student pass.Is it possible to apply for a work permit after my studies without an offer of employment after my studies on student pass?
Good afternoon,
Thank you for contacting us. It is not possible to obtain a work permit prior to finding a job. One of the work permit requirements indicate that a contract and a letter from your employer must be included as part of the work permit application.
Have you considered a research/internship pass whilst searching for a job? If you would like to employ our services, kindly send us an email. If you would like to pursue such an application without use of our services, kindly refer to fns.immigration.go.ke, immigration.go.ke, or the officials at Nyayo House in Nairobi, for further information.
Hi..
Meed some informarion if my husband is going to kenya on special pass and has already applied for work permit. Can i get dependent pass to travel along with him.
Dear Madam,
Thank you for contacting us. You can only apply for a dependent pass once your husband has received his work permit. While he is waiting for his permit, you will have to travel into the country as a tourist.
Dear Sir ,
just want to know a clarification , I have applied for my daughter’s dependant pass last month , I know it will take some time for its approval. My wife and my daughter is urgency to travel next month. The current visitor pass issued to my daughter is expired. Kindly advise what need to be done and how can she exit the country.
Your quick response will be highly appreciated.
Thanks
She will need to extend her tourist visa as soon as possible.
*Kindly note that all deliveries and collections of documents facilitated by FHL will incur a charge of Ksh500*
Regards,
Sharon Kwanga
Logistics
Office Line: +254731493159
E: sharon.kwanga@fathershandltd.com
http://www.fathershandltd.com
[Microsoft Outlook]
Dear Sir ,
I have applied online for dependant pass for my daughter , I have just received the notification stating the application is received. I am permit Holder and my wife is a dependant on me .
I would like to know the following :-
1) Time Frame taken to be approved.
2) Is security Bond necessary for a child.
Awaiting your kind response.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for contacting us. Kindly find a response below:
1) Time Frame taken to be approved. Approximately 3 months, depending on the accessibility of your file.
2) Is security Bond necessary for a child. Yes; you can recycle the security bond that you obtained for your permit. Obtaining a new security bond is not necessary.
How much does a work permit cost and how much does a Internship pass cost?
Dear Janice,
It depends on the specific work permit that you would like to obtain. Permits are categorized into different classes. Kindly refer to fns.immigration.go.ke to determine which class you are eligible for. The fees will be listed together with the requirements.
Our journey has been crazy, i applied for my husband’s dependant visa 2months ago and despite being told the visa will be out in a month we still waiting, hopefully we can get it this month before his visit visa expires.
Dear Karey,
Have you visited the Nyayo House office to enquire about the progress of your husband’s dependent pass application?
hi im a Ugandan and i was given a job in kenya but my employer asked me to go get a work permit.What are the fees required to get one or members of the East African community are expemted from the fees.
Dear Mercy,
East Africans are exempted from fees.
Please send me details of your services.
How long are dependant pass valid if married to Kenyan?
Are you eligible to work if holder of one and if married to Kenyan or need to apply for work permit?
Thanks,
Dear Clara,
Thank you for contacting us. If you’re married to a Kenyan, your dependent pass will remain valid as long as your marriage remains valid. You would not be eligible to work under the status of a dependent. A work permit would be necessary.
I have sent you an email regarding our standard service fee for a dependent pass.
I live in Kenya with a work permit and i wanted to apply a dependant pass for my daughter. Now that applications are submitted online, how do I pay the 5,000 ksh and how do I submit the photos. Waiting to hear.
Thank you for contacting us. The online application fee for a dependent pass is payable upon approval. This means that you will not need to make a payment during the online application procedure. Once you receive the approval from Nyayo House, only then will you be required to pay the ksh5000 to Nyayo House. Kindly note that although the applications have been digitized, you will still be required to print out the filled online application, and submit it to Nyayo House, together with the remaining required documents.
Regarding the photos, the online portal has made it possible to upload a photo as part of the online form. You will be able to see this once you start the online application. Please note that you will still be required to submit the physical photos as part of the application documents to Nyayo House.
Let us know if you have any further queries.
Hi. Thanks for the infor. Very helpful.
I recently legally weeded my wife here in Nairobi , although we have been living together in Uganda for now 7yrs and have a five yr old boy. She is Ugandan.
We have permanently moved back here in Kenya.
Do all this immigration laws apply to even EA citizens married by Kenyans? it’s very worry some that my wife can only get a dendant pass and not legally allowed to work for 7YEARS!! JESUS!
Dear Peter,
Thank you for contacting us. A response has been sent directly to your email address.