Last updated: 21 September 2026 | Professionally reviewed by: Edward Omondi, Lawyer – Business Setup and Immigration Consultant, Nairobi, Kenya. | Checked against: Directorate of Immigration Services / eFNS Class N guidance.
Kenya’s Class N Digital Nomad Permit is the immigration route for eligible foreign nationals who want to live in Kenya while working remotely for an employer, company or clients located outside Kenya. Applications are filed through eFNS using Form 25. The key decision points are eligibility, foreign-source income evidence, supporting documents, government fees, lawful status while applying and post-approval compliance.
Kenya Class N Permit at a Glance
The Class N permit is designed for remote work connected to a foreign employer, foreign company or clients outside Kenya. The current eFNS information pack states a US$200 non-refundable processing fee , a US$1,000 issuance fee per year , and a validity period of one or two years, renewable . Applicants should not treat a pending application, visitor status or eTA as permission to work in Kenya.
On this page
Class N Eligibility and Requirements in Kenya
An applicant should be able to show that the proposed work is genuinely remote and connected to a foreign employer, foreign company or clients outside Kenya. The current eFNS Class N page describes three qualifying profiles: a foreign employee working under a contract with a company registered outside Kenya; a shareholder or person conducting business on behalf of a foreign company; or a self-employed person providing services to clients located outside Kenya.
| Applicant type | Typical evidence | Key immigration point |
|---|---|---|
| Remote employee | Employment contract, employer letter, payslips, bank statements and foreign company contact details. | The employer should be registered outside Kenya and the work arrangement should be clearly remote. |
| Foreign company shareholder / representative | Foreign company records, role evidence, company letter, bank statements and business contact details. | The file should show that the activity is on behalf of the foreign company rather than local Kenyan employment. |
| Self-employed remote professional | Client contracts, invoices, portfolio or business records, bank statements and evidence that clients are outside Kenya. | Local Kenyan client work can create a different immigration analysis. |
What is the Class N income requirement?
This point needs careful source reading. Legal Notice No. 155 of 1 October 2024 originally introduced Class N with an assured annual foreign income requirement of US$55,000 . Later 2024 amendments have been reported as reducing the threshold to US$24,000 per year . However, the current eFNS Class N operational page does not publish a numerical minimum ; it asks for bank statements or payslips for the last three months proving monthly income.
Core current eFNS requirements
- Duly filled and signed Form 25 online application.
- Two recent passport-size coloured photographs for new and renewal applications.
- Copies of the valid national passport.
- Current immigration status if the applicant is already in Kenya.
- Detailed signed applicant cover letter addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services, explaining the nature of employment or business, location and intended duration of stay.
- Signed cover letter from the employer, company or organization.
- Bank statements or payslips for the last three months proving monthly income.
- Proof of accommodation such as a hotel reservation, lease or rental agreement.
- Letter of no objection from the applicant’s local embassy / mission of the home country.
- Foreign company details, including physical address, telephone, email and contact person.
- Copy of the applicable Class N checklist.
Criminal-record requirement: why sources differ
The original 2024 Legal Notice introducing Class N included proof of a clean criminal record from the applicant’s country of habitual residence. The current eFNS Class N checklist does not display that item. Because legal instruments and portal checklists have not always been updated in the same way, applicants should confirm whether a police-clearance document is required for the live filing rather than assuming that omission from the portal settles the legal position.
Class N vs other Kenya immigration routes
| Proposed activity | Route to assess | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work for a foreign employer | Class N | Designed for foreign-source remote employment. |
| Freelance / consulting services for clients outside Kenya | Class N | Current eFNS guidance expressly covers self-employed services to foreign clients. |
| Active local investment, trading or business in Kenya | Class G Investor Permit | Local business activity normally requires a route matched to the Kenyan activity. |
| Residence based on qualifying assured income without working | Class K Ordinary Resident Permit | Class K is an ordinary-resident route and is not a remote-work permit. |
Documents Required for a Kenya Class N Digital Nomad Permit
Prepare clear, readable PDF scans and make sure the documents tell one consistent story. Passport details, employment or client evidence, income records, accommodation and cover letters should agree on names, dates, activity and intended period in Kenya.
| Document group | Remote employee | Freelancer / self-employed | Foreign company owner / representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity and status | Form 25, passport copy, two photographs and current immigration status if already in Kenya. | ||
| Work evidence | Employment contract and employer letter. | Client contracts, invoices, portfolio or engagement records. | Foreign company records, role evidence and company letter. |
| Income evidence | Payslips and bank statements for the last three months. | Bank statements plus invoices / contracts showing foreign-source income. | Bank statements plus remuneration, distributions or other documents consistent with the declared role. |
| Kenya stay | Proof of accommodation and applicant cover letter explaining location, duration and remote-work arrangement. | ||
| Foreign organization details | Employer address, contacts and contact person. | Client / business details sufficient to verify the foreign-source engagements. | Foreign company physical address, telephone, email and contact person. |
| Embassy / mission | No-objection letter from the applicant’s local embassy / mission where required by the current eFNS checklist. | ||
Kenya Class N Digital Nomad Permit Cost and Fees
The current eFNS information pack states a US$200 non-refundable processing fee and a US$1,000 issuance fee per year . Use the live eFNS invoice as the final payment authority because portal charges and payment instructions can change.
| Fee item | Amount | When paid | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government processing fee | US$200 | During application / when invoiced | Non-refundable and does not guarantee approval. |
| Government issuance fee | US$1,000 per year | After approval / when invoiced | Payable according to the approved permit period. |
| Indicative government total — 1 year | US$1,200 | Across processing and issuance stages | Excludes professional and third-party costs. |
| Indicative government total — 2 years | US$2,200 | Across processing and issuance stages | Assumes a two-year approval and the current annual issuance fee. |
| Professional support / notarisation / translation / other third-party costs | Varies | As required | These are not Immigration Department fees. BIEA quotes professional fees separately after reviewing the scope. |
Fee source: Directorate of Immigration Services / eFNS Class N information pack. Last reviewed: 21 September 2026.
How to Apply for a Kenya Class N Permit on eFNS
Class N applications are submitted through the eFNS portal. The applicant should prepare the supporting evidence before filing so that the Form 25 answers, uploads and cover letters are consistent.
- Confirm the correct immigration route. Check that the applicant’s work is genuinely connected to a foreign employer, foreign company or clients outside Kenya.
- Prepare the document pack. Gather passport, photographs, current status if in Kenya, cover letters, foreign work / company evidence, income documents, accommodation evidence and embassy no-objection documentation.
- Access eFNS. Sign in through the Government of Kenya Single Sign-On account and open the eFNS portal.
- Open Permit Issuance/Renewal. Select “Apply Now”, “Submit Applications” and the permit issuance / renewal function.
- Complete Form 25. Enter the applicant, immigration, work and residence information carefully.
- Upload and submit. Upload readable supporting documents and submit the application.
- Pay the processing invoice. Pay the official processing fee when generated in the dashboard.
- Track notifications. Monitor the eFNS account and email and respond promptly to requests for further information.
- Complete approval formalities. If approved, pay the issuance fee shown on the eFNS invoice and complete any required post-approval steps.
Can you apply for Class N while already in Kenya?
The current eFNS checklist expressly asks for the applicant’s current immigration status “if in the country”, so the filing process contemplates applicants who are already in Kenya. The applicant must nevertheless remain lawfully present throughout the process and should not assume that filing a Class N application automatically extends an expiring visitor status or other permission.
Can you work while a Class N application is pending?
Do not treat a pending application as work authorization. The eFNS Class N information pack states that engaging in business or employment without the requisite permit or pass is an offence. If the applicant is in Kenya before approval, the immigration status held at that time must independently permit the activities being undertaken.
Class N Processing Time, Validity and Renewal
The Immigration Department does not publish a guaranteed Class N processing time. For planning purposes, BIEA normally allows about 4–8 weeks for a complete and well-supported application, but this is a professional planning estimate rather than a statutory or government-guaranteed timeline. Additional queries, document verification, payment issues or committee review can extend the process.
| Stage | Planning range / position | Main variables |
|---|---|---|
| Document preparation | About 3–10 working days in a straightforward case | Employer letters, embassy no-objection letter, accommodation and income evidence. |
| Immigration assessment | Plan around 4–8 weeks; not guaranteed | Completeness, verification, queries and internal review. |
| Permit validity | 1 or 2 years | Subject to approval and the period granted. |
| Renewal | Renewable | Continued eligibility, updated evidence and timely filing. |
Renewal preparation
- Start renewal planning before the permit expires.
- Prepare updated bank statements or payslips.
- Confirm continued foreign employment, foreign company role or outside-Kenya client work.
- Update accommodation and contact information where necessary.
- Keep the applicant’s passport and Foreign National Certificate status current where applicable.
- Use the current eFNS checklist and invoice rather than relying on documents from the first application.
Dependants and Post-Approval Requirements
Can a Class N holder bring a spouse or children?
A permit holder may sponsor qualifying dependants through the separate Dependant Pass process. The current eFNS dependant-pass guidance requires evidence of the relationship, sufficient income and a valid permit for a permit-holder sponsor. A dependant pass does not authorize employment; a dependant who intends to work needs the appropriate immigration permission.
Do Class N holders need an Alien Card?
Foreign nationals residing in Kenya for a period exceeding 90 days are generally required to register for a Foreign National Certificate, commonly called an Alien Card , unless exempt. The Directorate of Immigration currently states a charge of KSh 1,000 per year or part thereof . Registration is a separate post-arrival / residence compliance step from the Class N permit application.
| Post-approval item | Action |
|---|---|
| Permit issuance | Pay the issuance invoice and retain the issued permit documentation. |
| Foreign National Certificate | Register if the residence period exceeds 90 days and the applicant is not exempt. |
| Dependants | File separate dependant-pass applications for qualifying spouse / children where needed. |
| Remote-work records | Retain current foreign employment, company or client evidence and foreign-source income records. |
| Renewal calendar | Begin renewal preparation before permit expiry. |
Common Class N Compliance Risks and Causes of Delay
| Issue | Safer filing position | Risk area |
|---|---|---|
| Local employment | Remote work for a foreign employer or foreign clients. | Employment by a Kenyan entity may require another permit class. |
| Local client work | Show foreign clients and foreign-source income. | Regular Kenyan client work can undermine the Class N factual basis. |
| Income evidence | Consistent contracts, payslips / invoices and bank statements. | Unexplained credits, mismatched figures or unclear source of funds can trigger queries. |
| Cover letters | Explain the remote-work arrangement, location, duration and foreign-source activity. | Generic letters make it harder to verify eligibility. |
| Current immigration status | Maintain valid lawful status while in Kenya. | Do not assume a pending permit cures an expired status. |
| Document consistency | Use matching names, dates, roles and company/client details. | Conflicts between passport, contracts, statements and letters can delay review. |
- Do not submit generic cover letters that fail to explain the remote-work arrangement.
- Do not submit income records that contradict the employment contract, invoices or client evidence.
- Do not omit current immigration status when filing from Kenya.
- Do not rely on low-quality or incomplete scans.
- Do not describe local Kenyan business activity as foreign remote work merely to fit Class N.
- Do not assume that the processing fee is refundable if the application is refused.
Frequently Asked Questions — Kenya Digital Nomad Visa / Class N Permit
How much does the Class N Digital Nomad Permit cost?
The current eFNS fees are US$200 non-refundable processing fee and US$1,000 issuance fee per year . A one-year approval therefore carries US$1,200 in government processing and issuance fees at the current published rates, excluding professional and third-party costs.
What is the minimum income for Kenya’s Class N permit?
The original October 2024 regulation stated US$55,000 annual foreign income, and later 2024 amendments have been reported as reducing the figure to US$24,000. The current eFNS Class N page does not display a numerical minimum and instead requires three months of bank statements or payslips proving monthly income. Confirm the live threshold before filing.
Who qualifies for the Kenya digital nomad permit?
Current eFNS guidance covers remote employees of foreign companies, shareholders or persons conducting business on behalf of foreign companies, and self-employed persons serving clients outside Kenya.
Can I apply while already in Kenya?
Yes, the current checklist contemplates applicants already in Kenya by requesting their current immigration status. You must maintain lawful status while the application is under consideration.
Can I work while the Class N application is pending?
A pending application should not be treated as work authorization. The activity carried out before issuance must be independently permitted by the applicant’s current immigration status.
How long is Class N valid?
eFNS states that Class N is issued for one or two years and is renewable, subject to approval and continued eligibility.
Can I work for Kenyan clients?
Class N is framed around work for a foreign employer, foreign company or clients outside Kenya. Regular local client work or local employment may require a different permit route.
Can my spouse and children accompany me?
Qualifying family members can be assessed for Dependant Passes. The dependant pass is separate from the Class N permit and does not itself authorize employment.
Do I need an Alien Card?
Foreigners residing in Kenya for more than 90 days are generally required to register for a Foreign National Certificate / Alien Card unless exempt.
Is the US$200 processing fee refundable if the application is rejected?
No. The current eFNS Class N information pack states that the processing fee is non-refundable.
Official Sources and Professional Review
Immigration requirements, portal checklists, fees and implementation practice can change. This guide distinguishes published government requirements from BIEA planning guidance and should be checked against the live eFNS position before filing.
- eFNS Information Pack — Permit Class N (Digital Nomads)
- Kenya Law — Legal Notice No. 155 of 2024 introducing Class N
- Directorate of Immigration Services — Foreign National Certificate / Alien Card
- eFNS Information Pack — Dependant Pass
- Government of Kenya eFNS portal
Need Help With a Kenya Class N Digital Nomad Permit?
For an initial Class N assessment, send us your nationality, current location, remote-work arrangement, foreign employer or client details, approximate annual foreign income, intended date of travel / stay and whether you are relocating with dependants . We can advise on route suitability, documents, Form 25 filing, eFNS submissions and post-approval compliance.