Kenya introduces new permit categories for foreign nationals

The government has introduced key amendments to the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act bringing changes to various permit classes and creating more opportunities for foreign nationals to work and live in Kenya.

A major change introduced by the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Regulations, 2024, announced by Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) and Acting Interior CS Musalia Mudavadi on Tuesday, is the introduction of a new permit category, Class P.

This will be issued to staff of the United Nations, diplomatic missions, inter-governmental organizations and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The decision, Mudavadi says, comes in response to frequent requests from the UN office in Nairobi, which highlighted the need for a special status for staff working in neighbouring countries that do not classify as family stations.

"Acknowledging that UN staff are highly paid, their stay in the country is of benefit considering the money they use to pay rent for residences, school, and fees for children. Many of them keep a car and at least a driver and domestic staff. The stay of such persons is also in line with Kenya's goal of Nairobi being a UN and Multilateral hub," Mudavadi said in a statement.  

"Those eligible for the new Permit (P) will pay a lower fee but to be charged in United States of America dollars. These workers are usually paid in foreign currency and it is an opportunity for the government to earn foreign currency from them."  

The amendment also revises the financial requirements for the Digital Nomad visa (Class N), with the minimum required annual income for applicants being reduced from USD 55,000 to USD 24,000, making it more accessible for international remote workers to live and work in Kenya.

Another new category, Class Q, is designed for professionals working with religious or charitable organizations. This permit applies to those not directly engaged in religious worship but who contribute to the charitable missions of these organizations.

The revised regulations also reduce the fee for missionaries from Ksh.50,000 to Ksh.20,000 annually, addressing concerns raised by churches about the high fees.

"As part of the changes, the amendment to the existing classes includes one on Class (I) where the permit has been amended to exclude persons working for approved charitable organizations who have been moved to class Q," Mudavadi said.  

"This permit was initially issued to a person who is a member of an institution registered under the society's Act, who is engaged as a missionary, and whose activities are directly involved in preaching and or the conduct of religious worship and rituals."

The government has also created Class R, which will be issued to citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states who wish to reside or work in Kenya.

The new permit consolidates various categories of EAC nationals, including investors, skilled workers, traders, and farmers, under a single, simplified category. EAC nationals will not be required to pay any fees for this permit, in line with the regional integration goals of the EAC.

"This proposed class 'R' work permit intends to consolidate all East African applicants together irrespective of their description — investors, professionals, skilled employees, unskilled employees, traders, farmers, manufacturers. The key qualification will be proof of citizenship of an East African Community State and they will not be expected to pay anything," said Mudavadi.