Cost of a Class D Work Permit Application in Kenya
The Class D work permit application fee in Kenya is KES 20,000, payable as non-refundable processing. After approval, issuance costs KES 500,000 per year. For a non-EAC applicant granted one year, these two government charges total KES 520,000. Professional fees, any required bond, portal charges and other expenses are separate.
Directorate Class D fees, checked 20 September 2026. The approved period and official invoice determine the payment due.
| Item | Amount | When paid | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application / processing fee | KES 20,000 | At application/invoice stage | Covers processing only. It does not buy an approval or a one-year permit. |
| Class D issuance fee | KES 500,000 per year | After approval | Pay the amount and period shown on the live eFNS invoice. |
| One-year official total | KES 520,000 | Across the two stages | Excludes portal charges and all third-party or professional costs. |
| Two-year official total, if two years are approved | KES 1,020,000 | Across the two stages | The approved period controls; do not assume two years in advance. |
| Security bond | Separate | If required after approval | Follow the approval notice. Distinguish the bond's guaranteed amount from the provider's premium or charges. |
| Professional support, certification, translation, courier and foreigner registration where applicable | Varies | As incurred | These are not government Class D fees. |
Fees checked on against the Directorate Class D fee schedule. These totals are for a non-EAC applicant. EAC nationals should first assess the Class R route. The approved duration and current official invoice determine the amount payable.
Why you may see older Class D fees online
Some older public-sector pages still display historical Class D figures. For example, a Kenya Investment Authority eProcedures page continues to show KES 10,000 processing and KES 200,000 annual issuance. The current Directorate of Immigration Services Class D page lists KES 20,000 processing and KES 500,000 per year for issuance.
Practical rule: use the current Directorate/eFNS instructions and the live official invoice for the application being filed rather than relying on an older cached fee schedule.
Current Directorate Class D page · Older KenInvest eProcedures page · Checked 20 September 2026.
BIEA professional fees and what your quotation covers
Request an itemised quotation based on the role, employer, document readiness and whether this is a new application or renewal. BIEA's professional fee is quoted separately from government charges; the KES 520,000 government total is not an all-inclusive BIEA service price.
The written quotation should confirm the agreed scope of eligibility review, document preparation, employer justification, Form 25/Form 27 support, eFNS filing and query responses. It should also identify applicable VAT, third-party expenses and any work outside the agreed scope. No approval outcome is guaranteed.
Why quotations can show different totals: compare the same approved period and separate the processing fee, issuance fee, portal charges, bond-provider charges and professional fee. A bond's guaranteed amount is not automatically the cash premium you pay.
Payment-stage check: for one approved year, KES 20,000 is processing and KES 500,000 is issuance after approval. For two approved years, the listed charges calculate as KES 20,000 + (2 × KES 500,000) = KES 1,020,000. Approval for two years is not automatic. Official annual rate.
Class D Work Permit Requirements in Kenya
Who qualifies for a Class D employment permit?
Class D is for a person offered specific employment by a specific employer, the Government of Kenya, a government-controlled authority or an approved technical-aid scheme. The applicant must have skills or qualifications not available in Kenya, and the employment must benefit Kenya. The employer must substantiate eligibility as well as supply the documents. Official eligibility test.
A well-supported application normally demonstrates:
- A genuine, defined role with a named sponsoring employer.
- Qualifications and experience that match the job description.
- Evidence of the local recruitment effort and the specific skills gap.
- A clear benefit to Kenya, such as technical capacity, training, operational value or knowledge transfer.
- A suitable Kenyan understudy who can realistically receive the proposed skills transfer.
- A properly registered and tax-compliant employer.
Class D work permit document checklist
To apply for a Class D work permit in Kenya, prepare Form 25, Form 27, the applicant's passport, photos, CV and certified qualifications, plus the employer's registration and tax-compliance records, recruitment evidence and Kenyan understudy documents. Include any professional clearance required for the role.
The lists below combine the Directorate Class D requirements and the eFNS checklist. Immigration may request further evidence for the particular role or employer.
Applicant documents
- Completed and signed Form 25 generated through eFNS, with the applicable checklist.
- Valid passport copy, including the bio-data page.
- Two recent coloured passport-size photographs and a clear digital upload.
- Current immigration status if already in Kenya.
- Copies of previous Kenyan permits or passes, where applicable.
- Current CV.
- Duly certified academic and professional certificates.
- English translations of foreign-language documents by an embassy, public notary or authorised/recognised institution.
Employer documents and recruitment evidence
- Two detailed signed copies of the employer cover letter addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services.
- Company or organisation registration certificate.
- Valid organisation Tax Compliance Certificate for a new application.
- For renewal, valid organisation and individual Tax Compliance Certificates.
- Competitive recruitment evidence showing the local vacancy could not be filled.
- Professional or sector clearance where applicable.
Form 27 and Kenyan understudy
- Completed and signed Form 27 (Report on Employment).
- Understudy's full name and copy of the Kenyan identity card.
- Understudy's CV and full contact details.
- Certified academic or professional certificates.
- Understudy employment contract: the eFNS information pack also refers to contracts; confirm the current checklist instruction and keep the agreement available.
What to prepare when the official checklists differ
- Recruitment evidence: the current Directorate Class D page expressly asks for evidence that the organisation failed to fill the vacancy from the local labour market. Prepare it even if an older checklist does not show it as a separate line.
- Understudy contracts and contacts: eFNS refers to “full contracts”; the Directorate asks for full contact details. Prepare the contact information, keep the understudy's employment agreement available and confirm any contract submission requirement. Do not assume the difference is a typo.
- Photographs: the Directorate page refers to a recent photo upload, while the eFNS information pack lists two passport photographs. Prepare a compliant digital image and two physical copies.
- EAC nationals: the Directorate Class D page says EAC members are gratis, while eFNS now lists Class R. Confirm the correct route before filing rather than selecting Class D only because of the fee statement.
- Document consistency: names, dates, job title, employer details and duties should match across Form 25, Form 27, the offer/contract, cover letter, qualifications and understudy plan.
If the foreign business is still establishing its Kenyan presence, review the foreign company registration requirements. Where the employer has no local employing entity, an Employer of Record assessment can clarify the employment structure; immigration eligibility still requires a separate assessment.
Supporting evidence: making the employer's case clear
The official checklist requires evidence of competitive local recruitment. The following are recommended ways to organise and explain the file; they are not additional standard forms prescribed for every application.
- Recruitment record: retain the vacancy notice, publication dates, selection criteria and a factual recruitment summary explaining the skills gap. Keep personal information proportionate to what Immigration requests.
- Role and qualifications: use the employment offer or contract and job description to connect the applicant's relevant qualifications and experience to the actual duties. Use the same job title and employer details throughout the file.
- Understudy plan: identify the skills to transfer, the named Kenyan understudy, training activities, milestones and the person responsible for checking progress.
- Benefit to Kenya: explain the role's practical contribution, such as a specific technical capability or staff training, and connect each claim to evidence.
Illustrative example: a technical specialist and Kenyan understudy
This is a file-preparation example, not a reported client case or an approval outcome.
- Proposed role
- An employer needs a specialist to commission and maintain a particular production system.
- Evidence to connect
- The job description identifies the system and duties; the recruitment record explains the outstanding skills gap; the applicant's relevant certificates and experience support the proposed role.
- Understudy plan
- A named Kenyan engineer receives training in installation, diagnostics and maintenance, with practical milestones and a supervisor responsible for assessing progress.
- Consistency check
- The employer letter, Form 25, Form 27, contract and training plan describe the same role. The evidence must reflect the employer's actual circumstances.
Class D employer evidence matrix: weak file vs stronger file
The table below is BIEA file-preparation guidance, not an additional statutory checklist. Its purpose is to help the employer connect the official eligibility test to evidence already relevant to the application.
| Issue Immigration must assess | Weak presentation | Stronger evidence presentation |
|---|---|---|
| Skills not readily available in Kenya | “The employee has specialist skills.” | Identify the role-specific technical or professional capability, connect it to the job duties, and support it with relevant qualifications and experience. |
| Local recruitment effort | “No suitable Kenyan was found.” | Keep the vacancy notice, dates, criteria and a concise recruitment summary showing the relevant skills gap without submitting unnecessary personal data. |
| Kenyan understudy | A name and ID copy only. | Use an understudy whose role reasonably relates to the foreign employee's work; include the required CV, qualifications and contacts, and explain the practical skills-transfer plan. |
| Benefit to Kenya | Generic claims about investment or expertise. | Explain the concrete operational, technical, training or knowledge-transfer benefit and connect each claim to the proposed role. |
| File consistency | Different titles or duties across forms and letters. | Use consistent employer details, job title, duties, dates and assignment purpose across Form 25, Form 27, contract/offer, cover letter and supporting documents. |
When Class D is not the correct route
| Situation | Route to assess | Why it differs |
|---|---|---|
| Specific employment with a Kenyan employer | Class D | This page's subject: employer-sponsored employment supported by a skills-gap case. |
| Temporary assignment or interim work authorisation | Special Pass | A temporary pass with its own purpose, period, sponsor and supporting documents. |
| Investor, business owner or independent consultant | Class G investor permit | For qualifying trade, business or consultancy activity rather than ordinary sponsored employment. |
| EAC citizen intending to work, trade or reside in Kenya | Class R permit | eFNS provides a separate route for eligible East African Community nationals. |
| Remote work for a foreign employer or foreign clients | Class N digital nomad permit | Class N addresses qualifying foreign-sourced remote work, not employment by a Kenyan employer. |
| Foreign employer has no employing entity in Kenya | Employer of Record assessment | An EOR may provide a local employment structure, but it does not replace or guarantee immigration authorisation. |
How to Apply for a Work Permit in Kenya (Class D)
Apply through eFNS using an eCitizen account. Complete Form 25, attach Form 27 and the supporting documents, pay the processing fee, prepare the application printouts for presentation and monitor application queries. If approved, pay the issuance fee and complete the formalities in the approval notice.
Can you apply for a Class D permit while already in Kenya?
The official sources are not perfectly aligned on this point. The current Directorate Class D checklist asks for the applicant's current immigration status “if in the country,” which contemplates applicants who are physically in Kenya. However, section 40(3)(a) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act states that a permit applicant should have made the application in the prescribed manner before entry into Kenya.
Practical position: an applicant who is already in Kenya should maintain lawful immigration status and confirm the applicable filing position for their circumstances before relying on an in-country application. Being in Kenya, holding visitor/eTA status or having a pending Class D application does not itself authorise employment.
Directorate Class D requirements · Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act — section 40(3)(a).
For a focused explanation of the pre-entry rule, lawful visitor status, pending applications and when employment may begin, see our guide: Can You Apply for a Kenya Work Permit While Already in Kenya?
- Confirm the route with the employer.
Check nationality, actual duties, employer, skills gap and assignment duration. A job offer alone is insufficient. EAC nationals should assess Class R before choosing Class D.
- Prepare and check the complete evidence file.
The applicant provides identity, CV and certified qualifications. The employer prepares registration, tax, recruitment and understudy records, its cover letter and Form 27. Align the job title, employer name and duties throughout.
- Open the Class D application in eFNS.
Sign in through the Government of Kenya eCitizen account. In eFNS, use Apply now, Submit Applications and Permit Issuance/Renewal. Select the correct new or renewal application, complete Form 25 and upload the requested documents. Official eFNS instructions.
- Pay processing and follow presentation instructions.
Pay the KES 20,000 processing invoice through the official payment channels. Retain the receipt and reference. The eFNS information pack requires application printouts to be presented at Immigration headquarters or a regional office; follow the current instructions for your file.
- Monitor the application and answer queries.
Check eFNS and the account email for notices. Answer each request with clear supporting evidence. A payment receipt or pending application does not authorise employment.
- Complete issuance and endorsement after approval.
Pay the issuance invoice for the approved period, arrange any required bond, obtain the permit and complete the directed endorsement and registration formalities. Check the employer, role and validity before employment starts.
Section 45 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act requires the employer to obtain a work permit or pass conferring the right to work before granting employment. Kenya Law — section 45.
How Long Does a Work Permit Application Take in Kenya?
Class D processing time and the official service target
The published service target for a new Kenya work/residence permit is 21 working days; for renewal, it is 10 working days. These are service targets, not guaranteed end-to-end completion dates. Document preparation, additional enquiries and completing the approval instructions can extend the overall time. Directorate Service Delivery Charter, item 11.
Practical planning: allow approximately 4–12 weeks after a complete submission. This is BIEA's planning allowance, not a measured processing average, statutory deadline or guarantee; a case can take longer. Missing recruitment evidence, tax issues, professional clearances, employer checks, understudy weaknesses or Immigration queries can extend the case.
| Stage | Planning period | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Document preparation | Depends on document readiness | Employer readiness, certified qualifications, translations, recruitment evidence and understudy documents. |
| Official new-permit service target | 21 working days | A Directorate service target, not a guaranteed approval date. |
| Practical case planning | BIEA allowance: approximately 4–12 weeks; can take longer | Completeness, workload, checks, sector clearance and speed of query responses. |
| Issuance and endorsement | After approval | Issuance payment, bond where required and completion of approval-notice instructions. |
Plan before travel and onboarding: begin the application well ahead of the intended move or employment start date. Avoid relying on an expected decision date when arranging work or relocation.
Pre-filing checks that can prevent avoidable queries
- A generic employer letter that repeats the legal test without proving the skills gap or benefit to Kenya.
- No credible evidence of local recruitment or an advert that does not match the proposed foreign role.
- Different job titles, dates, duties or employer details across Form 25, Form 27, the contract and cover letter.
- An understudy whose qualifications or position do not sensibly relate to the foreign employee's role.
- Expired or missing employer/individual Tax Compliance Certificates.
- Uncertified qualifications, incomplete translations, unreadable scans or missing passport/status pages.
- Missing professional or sector clearance for a regulated role.
- Late or incomplete responses to eFNS queries.
After Approval, Renewal, Alien Card and Dependants
How long is a Class D work permit valid?
The permit is valid for the period approved and shown on the issued permit. Because the current issuance fee is charged per year, do not assume a one-year or two-year approval before the decision is issued. Check the approval notice and final eFNS permit for the exact validity period.
Renewing a Class D work permit
Use the permit renewal route on eFNS and include the previous permit, current employment and employer records, updated Form 25/Form 27 and the applicable supporting documents. The published checklist requires both organisation and individual Tax Compliance Certificates for renewals.
The official service target for renewals is 10 working days, but approval and timing remain case-specific. Prepare before the current permit expires and confirm the current filing instructions. A pending renewal alone should not be treated as extending the right to work. Budget against the official fee schedule and the renewal invoice for the period approved.
Permit issuance and endorsement after approval
Pay only against the approval-stage invoice, complete any security bond requirement, print the issued permit and follow the Directorate's endorsement instructions. Check whether the applicant must also complete the applicable foreigner registration process.
30-day payment deadline after written approval: regulation 56 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations provides that an approval for a permit, pass, visa or specified certificate ceases to be valid if the required fee is not paid within 30 days from the date of written notification of approval. Review the approval notice promptly and complete the issuance payment within the prescribed period.
Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations — regulation 56.
Foreign National Certificate / Alien Card after approval
Foreign nationals residing in Kenya for a period exceeding 90 days are generally required to register for a Foreign National Certificate (Alien Card). The Directorate currently lists an application through eFNS, Form 50, passport, proof of residence, photographs, an appointment/document check and biometric capture.
Official fee sources currently conflict. The Directorate's Alien Card webpage lists KES 1,000 per year or part thereof, while the Directorate Service Delivery Charter 2025 lists KES 5,000 per year for Foreign Nationals Registration. Because both are official Directorate sources, applicants should confirm the amount shown on the live eFNS invoice at the time of application rather than relying on either published figure in isolation.
Directorate — Foreign Nationals Certificate (Alien Card) · Directorate Service Delivery Charter 2025 — item 14, checked 20 September 2026.
Can a Class D permit holder bring a spouse or children?
A spouse or qualifying dependant does not become a Class D holder automatically. A separate Dependant Pass application may be available to dependants of a permit holder, subject to the relationship, sponsorship and supporting-document requirements.
The current Directorate page lists an issuance fee of KES 10,000 for the spouse or children of a work-permit or permanent-residence holder and asks for a sponsoring work permit with at least six months remaining at the time of application. Confirm the current requirements before filing.
Employer obligations after a Class D permit is issued
Section 45 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act places direct obligations on employers of foreign nationals. In practical terms, the employer should ensure the foreign employee works only under status that authorises employment and only on the authorised terms/capacity; the Act also requires prescribed employment records to be kept for two years after termination and reports to be filed with Immigration in the prescribed manner.
Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act — section 45. This statutory obligation is separate from BIEA's practical file-preparation guidance.
Changing employer or job role
A Class D permit is granted for specified employment. Do not assume it can be transferred to a new employer or materially different job. Obtain a route assessment and the required fresh or varied authorisation before beginning the changed employment.
Class D Work Permit FAQs
Do I pay the full KES 520,000 when submitting the application?
No. For a non-EAC applicant, KES 20,000 is the non-refundable processing fee. The KES 500,000 annual issuance fee follows approval. Pay each official invoice at the relevant stage; professional fees and other expenses are separate.
Do I need a job offer before applying for Class D?
Yes. Class D concerns specific employment with a specific employer. The employer must also demonstrate the relevant skills gap and benefit to Kenya. A job offer by itself does not guarantee approval.
Can the foreign employee work while the application is pending?
No. A pending application is not work authorisation. The employee needs an issued permit or pass that lawfully covers the activity. The eFNS information pack expressly warns against working without the requisite authorisation.
What if my employer has not identified a Kenyan understudy?
The official Class D checklist requires a named Kenyan understudy with identity, CV, qualifications and contact information. Resolve this evidence gap before filing. A training plan should describe real, role-specific skills transfer; it does not replace the required records.
Do East African Community nationals pay Class D fees?
The Directorate lists EAC nationals as gratis, and eFNS provides a separate Class R route with zero processing and final fees. Confirm the appropriate route and its requirements before filing; do not apply the non-EAC cost example automatically.
Does a renewal require additional tax documents?
The published Class D checklist calls for a valid organisation Tax Compliance Certificate for a new application and both organisation and individual Tax Compliance Certificates for renewal. Prepare the updated employment and supporting file before the current permit expires.
Can I use my Class D permit with a different employer?
Class D is for specified employment. Do not assume an existing permit transfers to another employer or a materially different role. Obtain an assessment and the required fresh or varied authorisation before starting the changed employment.
Can I submit a Class D application while already in Kenya?
The published sources are not perfectly aligned. The Directorate checklist asks for current immigration status where the applicant is already in Kenya, but section 40(3)(a) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act says a permit applicant should have applied before entry into Kenya. If already in Kenya, maintain lawful status and confirm the applicable filing position before relying on an in-country application. A pending application does not itself authorise employment.
Does a Class D holder need an Alien Card?
If the foreign national will reside in Kenya for more than 90 days, the Directorate states that foreign national registration is generally required, subject to the stated exemptions. The registration is separate from the Class D permit.
Can my spouse or children get dependant status?
A permit holder may sponsor a separate Dependant Pass application for qualifying dependants. The Directorate currently lists KES 10,000 for the spouse and children of work-permit/permanent-residence holders and requires the sponsoring work permit to have at least six months remaining.
Primary legal and government sources checked on 20 September 2026
- Directorate of Immigration Services — Class D Employment: current eligibility, requirements and fees.
- eFNS Class D Information Pack: application checklist, portal steps and compliance warning.
- Directorate Service Delivery Charter 2025: item 11: current fee table and 21-working-day/10-working-day service targets.
- eFNS Class R Information Pack: separate route for EAC nationals.
- Kenya Law — Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act: permit legal basis, including section 40, and employer obligations under section 45.
- Kenya Law — Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations: permit procedure, validity and regulation 56 on invalidation of approval where the requisite fee is not paid within 30 days.
- Directorate — Foreign Nationals Certificate (Alien Card): post-approval foreign national registration requirements and the KES 1,000/year figure currently shown on that page; compare the Service Delivery Charter item 14, which currently lists KES 5,000/year.
- Directorate — Dependant's Pass: dependant eligibility, documents and current published fee.
Need Help With a Kenya Class D Work Permit?
Planning to employ a foreign professional in Kenya? Send the applicant's nationality, CV/qualifications, proposed job title, Kenyan employer details, intended start date, assignment duration and current Kenya immigration status for a Class D eligibility, document and fee assessment.
Call/WhatsApp: +254 700 176 096
Email: info@bieastafrica.com