Class N Digital Nomad Permit Application in Kenya
Quick summary
The Class N Digital Nomad Permit is designed for foreign nationals who want to live in Kenya while continuing to earn income from employers or clients outside Kenya. Applications are commonly submitted online via the eFNS portal using Form 25.
- Permit validity: typically 1 or 2 years (renewable).
- Income guidance: commonly cited minimum assured annual income of USD 24,000 from outside Kenya.
- Fees (commonly published): USD 200 application + USD 2,000/year upon approval.
- Practical timeline: often discussed as ~4–8 weeks, depending on compliance and review queues.
Last updated: 16 January 2026
What is the Class N Digital Nomad Permit in Kenya?
Class N is commonly described as Kenya’s digital nomad / remote work permit. It allows eligible foreign nationals to reside in Kenya while providing services remotely to employers or clients based outside Kenya, subject to compliance undertakings and documentary proof.
Who qualifies for the Class N permit?
Class N is generally positioned for foreign nationals who:
- Work under a contract for an employer registered outside Kenya; or
- Provide remote services as self-employed individuals to international clients; or
- Are shareholders/representatives of a foreign company while earning outside Kenya (structure-dependent).
Requirements for Class N permit (eligibility rules)
Applicants typically need to:
- Hold a valid national passport.
- Provide verifiable proof of remote work (employment letter, contracts, client agreements, business evidence).
- Show proof of minimum assured annual income of not less than USD 24,000 from sources outside Kenya.
- Provide proof of accommodation in Kenya (hotel booking, lease, or rental agreement).
- Provide a police clearance certificate from the country of origin (recent).
- Provide undertakings commonly framed as:
- Not to accept employment within Kenya.
- Not to engage in local business activity in Kenya under Class N.
- That the applicant’s presence will be of benefit to Kenya.
Documents required for Class N (Digital Nomad) permit
Prepare clear PDF scans (and certified copies where requested):
- Form 25 (generated online via eFNS; print/sign where required).
- Recent passport-size colour photograph.
- Copy of valid passport biodata page (ideally 6+ months validity).
- Current immigration status (if already in Kenya).
- Cover letter by the applicant to the Director General of Immigration Services explaining work, location, and intended stay.
- Employer letter (or client letters/contracts) confirming remote work and remuneration.
- Proof of income (e.g., bank statements/payslips for last 3 months; contract invoices where relevant).
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking / lease / rental agreement).
- Police clearance certificate (country of origin; recent).
- Any additional supporting info requested in the portal (e.g., contact details of employer/client, business profile).
How to apply for a Class N permit in Kenya (eFNS – Form 25)
- Visit the official Kenya immigration eFNS portal.
- Create an account (or log in) as a foreign national.
- Select Apply for Permit and choose Class N – Digital Nomad.
- Complete the online application details and upload required documents (PDF).
- Generate, print and sign Form 25 where prompted.
- Submit and monitor notifications via email/portal dashboard.
Cost of a Class N digital nomad permit in Kenya
Commonly published fees are:
- Application fee: USD 200
- Upon approval (issuance/permit fee): USD 1,000 per year
Note: Fees can change. Always confirm the final payable amounts as displayed inside the eFNS portal during submission.
Processing timeline
Timelines vary with application quality and review queues. Many guides cite a practical range of ~4–8 weeks. Delays usually come from insufficient proof of remote work, unclear income evidence, or missing police clearance/accommodation proof.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid delays)
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Weak proof of remote work | Provide signed contracts, employer letter, invoices, and a clear explanation of duties + where the employer/client is registered. |
| Income evidence doesn’t match USD 24,000/year guidance | Use bank statements showing consistent inflows, payslips, and (if freelance) invoices + client confirmations. |
| Missing/old police clearance | Submit a recent clearance and ensure name/passport details match your application exactly. |
| Unclear accommodation proof | Provide a lease/booking showing your name, dates, and address in Kenya. |
| Low-quality scans / wrong file formats | Upload clean PDFs, legible scans, and follow size limits to avoid portal errors. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Class N permit in Kenya?
It’s a permit category commonly described for foreign nationals who want to live in Kenya while working remotely for employers/clients outside Kenya.
What income do I need for Kenya’s digital nomad permit?
Common guidance cites a minimum assured annual income of USD 24,000 from sources outside Kenya, supported by verifiable documents.
How much does the Class N permit cost?
Commonly published fees are USD 200 application and USD 1,000 per year upon approval (confirm inside eFNS at submission).
How long does it take?
Many guides cite a practical range of about 4–8 weeks, depending on compliance and review queues.
Can I work for Kenyan clients on Class N?
Class N is generally framed around remote work for non-Kenyan employers/clients and may require undertakings not to take local employment or engage in local business activity.
Need help with a Class N application?
We assist with eligibility review, document checklist, Form 25 preparation guidance, and eFNS submission support.
Call: +254 700 176 096 | Email: info@bieastafrica.com