Information checked: 20 September 2026 · Professionally reviewed by: Edward Omondi, Lawyer and Immigration & Business Registration Consultant, Nairobi · Primary sources: Directorate of Immigration Services, eFNS, Kenya Law and the Directorate Service Delivery Charter.
A Class G permit in Kenya is the immigration route for a foreign national who intends to engage, alone or in partnership, in a specific trade, business, consultancy or profession other than a prescribed profession. It is commonly searched as a Kenya investor permit, Class G work permit or “investor visa”, but the official category is Class G: Specific trade, business or consultancy.
Class G Investor Permit Kenya: Quick Answers
For a non-EAC applicant, the current official Class G fees are KES 20,000 non-refundable processing and KES 250,000 per approved year after approval. The application also requires documentary proof of at least USD 100,000 capital to be invested, together with the company, tax, identity and business records requested by Immigration. The Directorate's 2025 Service Delivery Charter gives a 21-working-day service target for new work/residence permits; actual end-to-end completion can take longer where verification, queries or post-approval steps arise.
Non-refundable official processing fee.
Payable after approval for the approved period.
Documentary proof of capital to be invested.
Service target for new work/residence permits.
Official Class G Eligibility Test
The legal and administrative test is more than simply “own a Kenyan company”. Class G is for a person intending to engage in a specific trade, business, consultancy or non-prescribed profession who has the necessary licence or authority where required, has sufficient capital and resources at their full and free disposal, and whose proposed activity will be of benefit to Kenya.
Practical point: your company records, business activity, capital evidence and application narrative should tell the same story. A technically complete file can still attract queries where those elements do not align.
Class G Permit Requirements, Eligibility and Documents
To qualify for a Class G investor permit in Kenya, the applicant should be able to support the intended trade, business or consultancy with the required business authority or licence, sufficient capital and resources, and evidence that the activity will benefit Kenya. The current official checklist also requires identity, company, tax and capital documentation.
Who is Class G for?
- Foreign founders and entrepreneurs actively running a Kenyan business.
- Foreign shareholders or partners who will actively engage in the approved trade or business.
- Independent consultants carrying on a qualifying consultancy in Kenya.
- Business owners entering an existing Kenyan enterprise where their activity fits Class G.
A person taking specific employment with a Kenyan employer should normally assess Class D instead. A prescribed professional activity may require another permit class and professional-body clearance.
Class G document checklist
| Document group | What to prepare | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant | Form 25, signed cover letter, passport bio-data page, recent passport photograph, current Kenya immigration status if in the country, and copies of previous permits/passes where applicable. | Identity, lawful-status and application record. |
| Business / company | Certificate of incorporation, constitutional documents, CR12/shareholding record, relevant licences or regulatory authority where required. | Connects the applicant to the proposed trade or business. |
| Tax | Company and individual PIN records; valid organisation Tax Compliance Certificate for a new application. Renewals normally require both organisation and individual tax compliance. | Shows current tax-registration and compliance position. |
| Capital | Documentary proof of at least USD 100,000 capital to be invested, bank verification documentation for new cases and offshore transfer/transaction evidence where requested. | Supports the statutory and administrative capital test. |
| Employment information | Form 27 / Report on Employment and other employment information requested by the current checklist. | Supports the economic-benefit and employment picture. |
| Language / sector records | Certified English translations for foreign-language documents and relevant clearance letters for regulated sectors where applicable. | Prevents avoidable verification and licensing queries. |
Company registration is not the same thing as the permit
The standard Class G checklist is built around a Kenyan business file — including incorporation records, CR12, PIN and tax documents. Incorporation therefore usually comes before a company-based Class G filing. However, registering a company does not itself give the foreign shareholder or director permission to work or operate the business in Kenya.
How Much Does a Class G Investor Permit Cost in Kenya?
As checked on 20 September 2026, the Directorate of Immigration Services lists KES 20,000 as the non-refundable processing fee and KES 250,000 per year as the Class G issuance fee for non-EAC applicants. For one approved year, those two Class G government charges total KES 270,000. They are paid at different stages.
| Cost item | Current amount | When / qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Class G processing fee | KES 20,000 | Non-refundable; paid at application/invoice stage. |
| Class G issuance fee | KES 250,000 per year | Paid after approval for the period approved by Immigration. |
| One-year Class G government total | KES 270,000 | Processing + one approved year of issuance. Excludes separate costs. |
| EAC applicants | Gratis on the Directorate Class G fee page | Confirm nationality-specific treatment and the live eFNS invoice before filing. |
| Foreign National Certificate | KES 5,000 per year | The 2025 Service Delivery Charter lists this separate post-arrival registration charge for applicable foreign residents. |
| Dependant Pass | KES 10,000 | Charter rate for spouse/children of a work-permit or permanent-residence holder; separate application. |
| BIEA professional fee | Quoted separately | Depends on scope, file readiness, company/compliance work and whether the matter is new or renewal. |
Do not confuse the USD 100,000 requirement with the government fee
The USD 100,000 is documentary proof of capital to be invested; it is not paid to Immigration as an application or issuance charge. Government fees and investment capital are separate concepts.
Source check: Class G fee figures are taken from the current Directorate Class G page and are also reflected in the Directorate's 2025 Service Delivery Charter. Always pay the amount shown on the live official invoice for the application.
How to Prove the USD 100,000 Class G Capital Requirement
The official requirement is documentary proof of capital to be invested of at least USD 100,000. eFNS also lists bank-statement verification documentation for new cases and proof of an offshore transaction receipt or slip. The capital evidence should therefore be traceable, internally consistent and linked to the proposed Kenyan business.
What BIEA checks before filing
- The applicant named in the permit file can be connected to the source and control of the funds.
- The amount and transaction trail are clear enough for verification.
- The company ownership shown on CR12 matches the investor narrative.
- The intended business activity is consistent across the company records, cover letter, forms and licences.
- Any foreign-language financial records have acceptable English translations.
Practical filing point
Do not rely on a screenshot showing a balance with no account-holder, transaction or source context. Build a capital-evidence trail that a reviewing officer can verify without guessing what the money is, who controls it or how it relates to the Kenyan investment.
How to Apply for a Class G Investor Permit in Kenya
Apply online through eFNS using the Government of Kenya single sign-on account. Complete the permit application, upload the required documents, pay the processing invoice, monitor any queries and complete issuance only after approval.
- Confirm that Class G is the correct route.
Define the applicant's actual role, business activity, ownership, sector and whether any professional or sector licence is required. Do not use Class G merely because the applicant owns shares. - Align the company and compliance file.
Prepare the incorporation records, CR12, PINs, tax-compliance evidence and any required sector approvals. Correct ownership or business-activity inconsistencies before filing. - Build the capital-evidence file.
Prepare documentary proof of at least USD 100,000 capital to be invested, together with bank verification and transfer evidence requested by the current checklist. - Complete Form 25 and Form 27 through the permit workflow.
Use consistent names, passport details, company information, business activity and ownership information across every document. - Upload documents and pay the processing fee.
Generate and pay the KES 20,000 non-refundable processing invoice through the official portal. Retain the receipt and application reference. - Monitor eFNS and respond to queries.
Check the dashboard and account email. Where Immigration requests clarification or additional material, answer the exact issue and keep the response consistent with the original application. - Pay the issuance fee after approval.
Pay KES 250,000 for each approved year shown on the official invoice and follow the approval notice for permit issuance and any related formalities. - Complete endorsement and foreign-national registration where applicable.
Print the issued permit and follow Immigration's endorsement instructions. Foreign nationals resident in Kenya for more than 90 days should complete the applicable Foreign National Certificate process.
Can you apply while already in Kenya?
Yes, the official Class G requirements expressly contemplate applicants who are already in Kenya by requiring evidence of their current immigration status. The applicant must remain lawfully present. Filing a Class G application does not extend an expiring status automatically and does not itself authorise business activity.
Can you work or run the business while the application is pending?
A pending application is not work or business authorisation. The eFNS Class G information pack states that engaging in business or employment without the requisite permit or pass is an offence. If lawful interim authority is genuinely required, assess the correct pass separately rather than treating the Class G receipt as permission to operate.
How Long Does a Class G Permit Take in Kenya?
Official service target: the Directorate's 2025 Service Delivery Charter gives a target of 21 working days for a new work/residence permit and 10 working days for a renewal. That is a service target, not a guarantee that every Class G case will be fully completed within that period.
| Stage | Planning position | What can extend it |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-filing preparation | Depends on document readiness | Company changes, tax compliance, capital evidence, translations and sector licensing. |
| Official new-permit target | 21 working days | Verification, workload, security/sector checks and requests for additional documents. |
| BIEA practical planning allowance | Allow about 6–10 weeks or longer where queries arise | Capital-source questions, CR12 mismatches, incomplete tax records and slow responses to eFNS queries. |
| Renewal service target | 10 working days | Audited accounts, Kenyan employment records, TCCs or outstanding compliance. |
| Post-approval completion | After approval and payment | Issuance payment, permit printing, endorsement appointment and foreigner registration. |
Common Reasons Class G Applications Are Delayed or Queried
- USD 100,000 evidence that is unclear, incomplete or difficult to verify.
- Shareholding, director or company-name differences between CR12, company records and the permit forms.
- Expired or missing Tax Compliance Certificates or PIN documentation.
- A business activity described differently in the cover letter, company objects, licence and eFNS form.
- Missing sector approval for a regulated activity.
- Foreign-language documents without an acceptable English translation.
- A generic cover letter that does not explain the actual trade/business and its benefit to Kenya.
- Late or incomplete responses to Immigration queries.
Class G Renewal, Dependants and Post-Approval Compliance
Renewal is not automatic. The file should show that the business remains operational and compliant. The current official materials require updated tax compliance and business evidence; eFNS also lists audited accounts, Kenyan employment information and the other renewal documents requested by the current checklist.
Class G renewal checklist
- Current permit/pass and passport records.
- Updated company records and CR12 where relevant.
- Valid company and individual Tax Compliance Certificates.
- Signed audited accounts required for the renewal file.
- List of Kenyans employed and current employment information.
- Updated licences or sector clearances where applicable.
- Form 25, Form 27 and current eFNS renewal checklist.
The Directorate Class G page refers to signed audited accounts for the previous two years, while the eFNS information pack uses slightly different wording. Follow the live renewal checklist and portal instructions for the application being filed.
Dependants
A spouse or child does not become a dependant automatically because the principal holds Class G. An eligible family member uses the separate Kenya Dependant Pass process. The 2025 Service Delivery Charter lists KES 10,000 for spouses and children of work-permit or permanent-residence holders.
Foreign National Certificate / Alien Card
Foreign nationals residing in Kenya for more than 90 days are generally required to register. The Directorate's 2025 Service Delivery Charter lists KES 5,000 per year and a six-week service timeline for Foreign Nationals Registration. Use the live eFNS invoice and appointment instructions.
Long-term residence
Holding Class G does not create automatic permanent residence. The Directorate states that a lawful-resident applicant for Permanent Residence Category B must have held work permits for at least seven years and have been continuously resident in Kenya for the three years immediately preceding the permanent-residence application, together with the other Category B requirements.
Class G vs Other Kenya Permit Routes
Choose the immigration route from the activity the foreign national will actually perform. The wrong classification can create unnecessary delay even where the applicant has a Kenyan company.
| Situation | Route to assess | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign investor, business owner or qualifying independent consultant actively operating in Kenya | Class G | This page's route: trade, business, consultancy or non-prescribed profession. |
| Foreign national taking a specific job with a Kenyan employer | Class D Work Permit | Employer-sponsored employment, skills-gap and understudy requirements. |
| Foreign national working remotely for a foreign employer or foreign clients | Class N Digital Nomad Permit | Foreign-sourced remote work rather than active Kenyan trade/business. |
| Person aged 35+ living on qualifying assured income and not working or doing business | Class K | Residence based on assured income; not an investor-work route. |
| Short-term authorised work/activity pending a longer-term arrangement where legally appropriate | Special Pass | Temporary pass with its own purpose, period and conditions. |
Official Sources and Information Date
This page was professionally checked on 20 September 2026. Immigration fees, portal prompts and administrative practice can change. The live eFNS invoice and written approval instructions control the actual application.
- Directorate of Immigration Services — Class G: Specific trade, business or consultancy
- eFNS Information Pack — Permit Class G
- Directorate of Immigration Services — Work Permits and Passes
- Kenya Law — Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations
- Directorate of Immigration Services — Service Delivery Charter
- Directorate of Immigration Services — Permanent Residence, Lawful Residents (Category B)
Class G Investor Permit Kenya FAQs
Is a Class G permit the same as an investor visa in Kenya?
“Investor visa” is a common search term, but Kenya's official category is a Class G permit for a specific trade, business, consultancy or non-prescribed profession. An eTA or visitor status is not a substitute for Class G authorisation.
How much is a Class G permit in Kenya?
For a non-EAC applicant, the current official fee schedule is KES 20,000 non-refundable processing plus KES 250,000 per approved year after approval. One approved year therefore gives KES 270,000 in those two Class G government charges, before separate costs.
What is the minimum investment for a Class G permit?
The official Class G checklist requires documentary proof of at least USD 100,000 capital to be invested. The amount is capital evidence, not a government fee.
Do I have to register a Kenyan company first?
The standard company-based Class G checklist requires incorporation records, CR12, PIN and tax documents, so the Kenyan business structure usually needs to be in place before filing. The correct structure should still be chosen from the proposed activity rather than created solely for Immigration.
Can I apply from inside Kenya?
The official checklist expressly asks for current immigration status where the applicant is already in Kenya. The applicant must remain lawfully present and should not assume that filing the application extends or changes their existing status.
Can I operate the business while the application is pending?
No pending application should be treated as authority to work or conduct the regulated business activity. eFNS expressly warns against engaging in business or employment without the requisite permit or pass.
How long does the application take?
The official service target for new work/residence permits is 21 working days, with 10 working days listed for renewals. BIEA recommends planning a wider buffer because verification, queries and completion steps can extend the overall process.
Can my spouse and children live in Kenya with me?
Eligible family members can apply separately for dependant passes after or alongside the principal's immigration planning. Relationship and sponsorship evidence is required; the dependant pass is not automatic.
Can Class G eventually support permanent residence?
A Class G holder may later assess Permanent Residence Category B if the statutory residence history and other requirements are met. The Directorate currently states at least seven years holding work permits and continuous residence for the three years immediately preceding the application. Permanent residence is a separate application and is not automatic.
Get a Class G Eligibility and File-Readiness Review
For an initial assessment, send the investor's nationality, proposed Kenyan business activity, ownership/shareholding, current Kenya immigration status, intended start date, company-registration status and a short summary of the available USD 100,000 capital evidence.
BIEA can then identify the likely permit route, missing company/compliance records and the documents required before an eFNS filing.