Guide to apply an Employment Permit in Kenya

Procedure to apply an Employment Permit in Kenya While each work permit may have specific documentation requirements, the following are all required:

1. Dully filled and signed application Form 3.
2. Covering letter from employer/self/organisation depending on the class (as applicable)
3. Copies of the foreign national’s passport.
4. Two coloured Passport size photographs.

This permit is issued to a person who is offered specific employment by a specific employer, the government of Kenya or any other person or authority under the control of the Government or an approved technical aid scheme under the United Nations Organization or some other approved Agency, who is in possession of skills or qualifications that are not available in Kenya and whose engagement in that employment will be of benefit to Kenya. The permit is Known as Class D: (For Employment.

Apply Online – Employment Permit in Kenya

1. The first step is to register with the Kenya electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal through the following link eFNS Online Platform.
2. Click on create account then click on the Create an Account to register.
3. You will need to fill in your personal information so to register for an eFNS account For Kenyan citizens, you will need your national ID number while foreigners residing in Kenya will need your foreigner certificate. If you do not have national ID or foreigner certificate, select other and use passport details to register.
4. Once you have registered you will then need to login to your eFNS account and under the Submit application tab click on Submit new applications.
5. This will direct you to the next page where you should make your next selection. Under the Permit and Passes Service Section, click on the Apply Now link in the Permit Issuance/ Renewal Tab.
6. This will direct you to next page; here you should read the instructions carefully; and click on the Learn More button under the Class D: Employment (KEP/D) Tab
7. This will direct you to next page; where you are to read the instructions carefully, make sure you have all the requirements to make the application and then click on the Apply Now button which will direct you to the online application form.
8. Fill in the online application form with all the required details and upload supporting documents. These details include:-
   (i). Application type (new application or renewal)
   (ii). Full names
   (iii). Marital status
   (iv). Gender
   (v). Passport ( number, date of issue, expiry date )
   (vi). Date and place of birth
   (vii). Nationality (at birth, present)
   (viii). Country of residence
   (ix). Contact information ( phone number, postal address, physical address )
   (x). Current immigration status
   (xi). Upload Passport photo.
   (xii). Gratis status (All citizens of the East Africa Community (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi) can attach their valid passport as evidence.)
   Then click on save
9. This will lead you to the next page where you are supposed to:-
   (a). Give details of every dependant you have
   (b). List permits that you have previously held
   (c). List previous applications which have been declined
   • After Filling the required details accordingly, click proceed button at the bottom left of this page for the next step.
10. This will lead you to the next page (PART II of Form 25) which is to be completed in respect to the employment to be undertaken. The information include:-
    (i). Name of Employer
    (ii). Postal Address
    (iii). State profession/Business
    (iv). Place of Employment
    (v). Job Title
    (vi). Job description
    (vii). Name of Employer
    (viii). Postal Address
    (ix). State profession/Business
    (x). Place of Employment
    (xi). Job Title
    (xii). Job description
    (xiii). State steps you are going to take during validity of the permit to engage a Kenya trainee
    (xiv). If this application is approved will the proposed employee be instrumental in training Kenya Citizen
    (xv). Attach (Upload)
    • Report on Employment – Applicable for class D
    Make sure you fill all the required details in this form then click Save & proceed Button.
11. This will direct you to the next page where you are supposed to give details regarding
    (a). Academic Qualifications(Give full details and attach certificates and testimonials)
    (b). Technical qualifications
    (c). Previous Work Experience (Attach Evidence)
    (d). What steps have you taken to confirm that the skills/qualifications sought are not available locally (Give full details and
    (e). If you have a Kenyan citizen you are training for this post, indicate the following(Attach employment contract)
    Make sure you fill all the required details in this form then click Proceed to complete registration.
12. You will be directed to the next page where you can print your application form and make payments.
13. Once your application is approved, an invoice will be generated which you can see by clicking on “Dashboard” then “Payments” Tab. If you have already logged in eFNS, you can click here to make a payment.
14. Click on the “wallet icon” to make your payment via the provided payment methods. The processing fee is Ksh. 10,000
15. Print the payment acknowledgement receipt and the online application form and present them to the Immigration Headquarters Offices in Nyayo House Nairobi or their regional offices for processing.
    Make sure you present all the required documents to the immigration offices.
16. You shall receive automatic notifications via email and on your online account about the progress of your application.
17. Upon approval of your application you will be required to pay an issuance fee of Ksh. 200,000. This fee is to be paid annually for the renewal of the permit.
18. After payment of the issuance fee you will receive notification on how to collect your permit through your eFNS account.

Required Documents – Employment Permit in Kenya

1. Duly filled and signed Form 25 online form.
2. Two copies of detailed and signed cover letter from the employer / organization, addressed to the Director of Immigration Services
3. Copy of a valid national passport
4. Two(2) recent passport size colored photos (for both new and renewal)
5. Current Immigration status if in the country
6. Copy of any previous permit(s) and or pass(es) held
7. Duly certified copies of academic and professional certificates.
8. Curriculum vitae of applicant.
9. Copies of academic/professional certificates along with the CV.
10. Evidence that the organization failed to fill the vacancy from the local labor market.
11. Copy of PIN certificate
12. Name of the Kenyan understudy
13. Certified copies of academic/professional certificates of the Kenyan understudy
14. Curriculum vitae (CV) for the Kenyan understudy.
15. Full contact-address, email, cell phone, of the Kenyan understudy
16. Clearance letter from relevant institutions.
17. Certificate of company / organization registration.
18. Duly filled Form 2 [https://eregulations.invest.go.ke/media/Form%2027%20Report%20on%20Employment.pdf Report on Employment)

NB:

• Documents in foreign languages should be translated into English by either the Embassy, Public Notary, or authorized /recognized institution
  

Office Locations & Contacts

Department of Immigration Services
Nyayo house
Passport Section Ground Floor,
Kenyatta Avenue/ Uhuru Highway
P.O. Box 30191, 00100 Nairobi.
Tel: +254-20-2222022, +254-20-2217544, +254-20-2218833
Email: dis@immigration.go.ke
Website: Department of Immigration Website

Mombasa-Immigration Department Office
PC’s Office Building
Tel: +254-41-2222676

Kisumu-Immigration Department Office
New Provincial Headquarters
Tel: +254-057-2024935/2025438/0700596071

• electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) Kenya portal

Eligibility – Employment Permit in Kenya

• Applicant who:-

1. Is offered employment by a specific employer, the Government of Kenya or any other person or authority under the control of the Government or an approved technical aid scheme under the United Nations Organization or some other approved Agency
2. Is in possession of skills or qualifications that are not available in Kenya and whose engagement in that employment will be of benefit to Kenya
   

Fees

• Processing fees (Non-refundable) Kshs.10,000/=
• Issuance Fees (Payable upon approval) Kshs.200,000 /= per year
• Applications for renewal of permits should be done three months prior to expiry date.
  

Validity

• The validity period one year.
  

Documents to Use

• Applications are done online though the Kenya electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal

Processing Time

• The processing time is 14 days

Instructions

1. Register with the Kenya electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal through the following link eFNS Online Platform.
2. Login to your eFNS account and under the Submit application tab click on Submit new applications.
3. Under the Permit and Passes Service Section, click on the Apply Now link in the Permit Issuance/Renewal tab.
4. This will direct you to next page; here you should read the instructions carefully; and click on the Learn more button under the Class D : Employment (KEP/D) Tab
5. Read the instructions carefully; make sure you have all the requirements to make the application and then click on the Apply Now button which will direct you to the online application form.
6. Fill in the online application form with all the required details and upload supporting documents, then click on save.
7. After completing the application form make payment for your application through an invoice which will be generated online. You can see this by clicking on “Dashboard” then on the “Payments” Tab.
8. If unable to pay using any of the online modes, print your invoice by clicking on “Dashboard” then “Payments” Tab. Present your application with all the requirements at the Immigration Counter at Nyayo House or other regional offices, Nairobi for payments and processing.
9. You shall receive automatic notifications via email and on your online account about the progress of your application.
   

Required Information

1. Application type (new application or renewal)
2. Full names
3. Marital status
4. Gender
5. Passport ( number, date of issue, expiry date )
6. Date and place of birth
7. Nationality (at birth, present)
8. Country of residence
9. Contact information ( phone number, postal address, physical address )
10. Current immigration status
11. Gratis status (All citizens of the East Africa Community (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi) can attach their valid passport as evidence.)
12. Academic Qualifications
13. Technical qualifications
14. Previous Work Experience
15. What steps have you taken to confirm that the skills/qualifications sought are not available locally
16. If you have a Kenyan citizen you are training for this post, indicate the following

Need for the Document

• This permit allows a foreigner to engage in specific employment, offered by a specific employer, the government of Kenya or any other person or authority under the control of the Government or an approved technical aid scheme under the United Nations Organization or some other approved Agency.
• The permit allows the holder who is in possession of skills or qualifications that are not available in Kenya, to engage in employment that will be beneficial to Kenya.
  

Information which might help

• This Permit is issued to a person who is offered specific employment by a specific employer who is qualified to undertake that employment.
• Any kind of payment made should be done through the provided online module.
• It is an offence for a person to knowingly mislead an Immigration Officer ( section 53 (1)(a) of Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, (2011)
• Notification of approval shall be rendered null and void, if the requisite fee is not paid within thirty (30) days from the date of approval.
• Incomplete applications shall not be accepted.
• Additional documents may be requested in addition to the listed.
• All citizens of the East Africa Community (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi) are exempt from payment of the processing and permit fee.
• Where the holder of a work permit ceases to engage in the employment in respect of which the work permit was issued, the employer specified in the work permit shall, within fifteen days from the date of such cessation, report, in writing to the director that the holder has ceased to engage in such employment. Any employer who contravenes this regulation commits an offence.

External Links

• Checklist of requirements
  

Others

• The registration fee is non refundable
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Engaging in any form of business or employment without a requisite permit or pass is an offence.
• The applicant must be present in person when the application is presented at the immigration headquarters or regional offices for registration.
• Giving false or misleading information is an offence punishable by law
• Any person who contravenes any provision or requirement of an order issued to a foreign national commits an offence and is liable to a fine, imprisonment or both