8 Types Of Kenya Work Visa Available For Easy Relocation

Have you been looking to move to Kenya and would like to know what sort of Kenya work visa is right for you?

As a Nigerian, if you’ve been thinking of moving to Kenya and wondering if it’s the right choice, well Kenya is a beautiful country in East Africa with its coastline on the Indian Ocean. Lions, rhinos and elephants are some of the wildlife that you can see in Kenya, it also offers you a view of Mt Kilimanjaro. The capital is Nairobi which has a population of over 53 million people, the official languages are Swahili and English.

Kenya is actually the world’s best safari destination. It has over 50 national parks and reserves that are home to a different range of wildlife including the big five: leopards, rhinos, buffalo buffaloes, elephants, and lions. Kenya is also home to Africa’s second-highest mountain, Mount Kenya and Britain is the biggest importer of Kenyan tea. It also has some beautiful famous beaches like Diani Beach, Nyali Beach and Bamburi Beach. 

If you move to Kenya, there are many fun things that you can get up to apart from work.

Kenya has one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa and as of 2022, the Kenyan economy grew by 6.7%.

How To Get Your Kenyan Work Visas And Permits 

As with different countries in the world, you need a work visa to be able to work in Kenya. A tourist visa will not cut it for work.

General Requirements for a Kenyan visa

• Two recent passport size photograph
• Official visa application form
• A copy of your flight itinerary or proof of travel
• Any other additional paperwork as needed which could be an invitation from your future employer or a marriage certificate
• Copy of international passports

To be able to live and work in Kenya you need one of the work residence visas and these visas are meant for people who may need to spend more than six months in Kenya either to work, volunteer or live there. 

There are different types of work visas in Kenya especially if you’re staying for more than 90 days. If your stay is less than 90 days and you are going to be doing business activities then you should get a business visa. A business visa is valid for a period of 90 days and can be extended for another 90 days. If you’re an expat who is in Kenya for a short duration of time then you should swing for the business visa as it allows you to attend workshops, seminars, discussions and conferences but you cannot work on a business visa.

If you will be spending more than 6 months in Kenya and will be working and living then you will need to apply for a work residence visa. It can take up to 3 months for a work visa to be processed and the work visa is usually valid for 2 years but you have the option to renew for another two.

There are different types of work visas in Kenya meant for different sectors and needs. You will figure out which work visa meets your need 

Different Types Of Kenya Work Visas

Class A Kenya Work Visa

This type of visa is meant for people in the prospecting and mining industry

Requirements For A Class A Work Visa

• A copy of your international passport 
• Two recent coloured passport photo
• A signed cover letter from employer/ organisation /self that is addressed to the director general of immigration services 
•  Valid organisation tax compliance certificate 
•  Your licence to prospect for minerals mine
• Proof of funds for investment over at least $100,000 
•  Your current licence and copy of PIN certificate 
•  Signed audited accounts for the last year 
•  Your current immigration status if you’re in the country 
•  And your filled and signed application form 25

The processing fee for a Class A work visa is a non-refundable Kshs. 10,000 and the issuance cost Kshs. 100,000 per year.

Class B Kenya Work Visa

This work visa is meant for people in agriculture and animal husbandry.

Requirements for class B work visas

• Copy of your international passport 
•  Two recent passports photos of you
• Proof of land ownership/leasehold
• Proof of funds of at least $100,000
• Your clearance/licence from relevant bodies

The processing fee for a Class B work visa is a non-refundable Kshs. 10,000 and the issuance cost Kshs. 100,000 per year.

Class C Kenya Work Visa

This work visa is meant for prescribed professionals

These are lawyers, architects, medical professionals, accountants, and engineers. You most likely require a class C visa if your profession requires you to register with a regulatory body or institution.

Requirement For A Class C Kenya Work Visa

• Your filled and signed application form 25
• A copy of your international passports
• A signed cover letter from employer/ organisation /self that is addressed to the director general of immigration services 
• Two recent passport photos of you 
•  Your valid organisation tax compliance certificate 
• Your proof of membership to your prescribed profession
• Copies of your certified academic and professional qualifications
• A copy of your PIN certificate

The processing fee for a Class C work visa is a non-refundable Kshs. 10,000 and the issuance cost Kshs. 100,000 per year.

Class D Kenya Work Visa

This work visa is for professionals and is often referred to as an employment permit. This work visa is usually used for specific job offers with specific employers which could include expats coming to Kenya on intercompany transfers and NGO humanitarian workers. This visa paperwork is usually submitted by the employer. For the class D Kenya work visa, people applying for it must have qualifications and skills that are not available in Kenya.

Requirement For The Class D Work Visa

• Your certificate of academic and professional certificates 
• Your curriculum vitae
• Filled and signed from 27
• The name of your Kenyan under study
• Academic certificates and complete contact of your under study
• Curriculum vitae of your under study
• Organisation’s certificates of registration
• Letter of clearance from relevant institutions

The processing fee for a Class D work visa is a non-refundable Kshs. 10,000 and the issuance cost Kshs. 200,000 per year.

Class F Work Visa

This work visa is meant for specific manufacturing. It is intended for people who want to engage in specific manufacturing activities.

Requirements For Class F Work Visa

• A copy of your licence
• Proof of funds for investing, at least $100,000
• Company’s certificate of registration 
•  Memorandum of understanding 
•  Articles of association signed 
•  Your current audited account 
•  Your shareholders’ certificate (CR12)
• A copy of PIN certificate

The processing fee for a Class F Work Visa is a non-refundable Kshs. 10,000 and the issuance cost Kshs. 100,000 per year.

Class G Kenya Work Visa

This work visa is meant for specific trade businesses or consultancy. This includes entrepreneurs who want to launch a new company or invest. 

Requirements For Class G Visa 

•  Proof of funds of at least $100,000 
•  Company certificate of incorporation 
•  Articles of association 
•  Memorandum of understanding 
•  Signed current audited accounts 
• form 27
• Copy of your PIN certificate

The processing fee for a Class F work visa is a non-refundable Kshs. 10,000 and the issuance cost Kshs. 100,000 per year.

Class I Kenya Work Visa

This work visa is meant for approved religious or charitable activities. This visa is usually issued to members under the societies act, members of Co limited by the grantee, and members of trustee registered under a trustee act.

Requirement For Class I Visa

• A copy of your international passport 
•  Two passports photographs 
•  A valid organisation tax compliance certificate 
•  Organisations registration certificates 
•  Sign cover letter from employer 
• Copies of your professional and academic certificate
• Form 25

The processing fee for a Class I work visa is a non-refundable Kshs. 1,000 and the issuance cost Kshs. 5,000 per year.

Class K Work Visa

This visa is meant for ordinary residents.

 Requirements For A Class K Work Visa

• A copy of your international passport 
• Two passports photographs 
•  A valid organisation tax compliance certificate  
•  Sign cover letter from employer/self/organisation addressed to the Director General Of Immigration Services 
• Proof of funds of an annual income of at least $24,000
• Form 25

The processing fee for a Class K Kenya Work Visa is a non-refundable Kshs. 10,000 and the issuance cost Kshs. 100,000 per year.