Moving To Kenya 2026 — Permits, Fees and Your First 90 Days
GUIDES · KENYA
Key Facts
- —What it is A two-step move — an entry authorisation first, then a work permit or pass.
- —Who it’s for Employees, investors, retirees aged 35 or over, and families joining a permit holder.
- —What it costs A standard eTA is US$30; a Class D permit costs KSh 500,000 (about US$3,860) a year.
- —Why it matters Filing the wrong class wastes months and can put your legal status at risk.
- —The catch Entry permission never includes the right to work, trade or run a business.
Moving to Kenya in 2026 means two separate steps — entry approval first, then the permit or pass that matches what you will actually do.
Moving to Kenya in 2026 starts with one rule that decides everything else. Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorisation gets you through the airport, but it never grants the right to work.
Moving to Kenya in 2026 begins with the eTA — and its limits
Kenya runs entry through an Electronic Travel Authorisation, applied for online at etakenya.go.ke before you fly. The portal is operated by the Directorate of Immigration Services.
The standard eTA costs US$30 and allows entry into Kenya once. A transit authorisation costs US$20, and a one-year multiple-entry eTA costs US$300.
American nationals can also buy a five-year multiple-entry eTA for US$185. Expedited processing is available for an extra US$100 and is handled immediately.
Normal applications are processed in about three working days. The official portal still advises applying at least two weeks before travel.
You need a passport valid for at least six months with one blank page. You also need a photo, an itinerary, an accommodation booking and a payment card.
The fee is not refundable, even if the application is refused. An eTA is permission to travel, and admissibility is still decided at the border.
Many travellers need no eTA at all, under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Amendment Rules of 2025. Citizens of the East African Community partner states may stay up to 180 days.
A further list of countries is exempt for up to 90 days, and 28 African countries for up to 60 days. Holders of Kenyan permanent residence, work permits and passes are exempt too.
None of that includes the right to work. The government repeated the point in September 2026, giving foreign business operators 90 days to regularise their papers.
The permit classes and what they actually cost
A Kenyan work permit is a class, not a generic document. Anyone moving to Kenya should pick the class by the activity, not by what looks easiest.
Class D covers a foreign national offered specific employment by a specific employer. Processing costs KSh 20,000 (about US$155) and issuance costs KSh 500,000 (about US$3,860) a year.
The employer must show tax compliance certificates and evidence that local recruitment failed. A Kenyan understudy and certified qualifications form part of the same file.
Class G is the trade, business or consultancy route for people putting capital into a Kenyan company. It requires documentary proof of capital of at least US$100,000.
Class G processing is KSh 20,000 (about US$155), and issuance is KSh 250,000 (about US$1,930) a year. Renewals also need two years of signed audited accounts.
Class K is the ordinary residence route for people living on income earned outside Kenya. Applicants must be at least 35 and show assured annual income of US$24,000.
Class K fees match Class G, at KSh 20,000 (about US$155) to process and KSh 250,000 (about US$1,930) a year to issue. Citizens of East African Community states pay nothing for any of these classes.
Other classes cover mining, agriculture, prescribed professions, manufacturing, religious work and refugees. All applications go through the immigration service’s foreign nationals portal.
Dependants, the special pass and the order of filing
Family members travel on a dependant’s pass, filed on Form 28 by the permit holder. It costs KSh 10,000 (about US$77) for the family of a work permit or permanent residence holder.
Dependants of a Kenyan citizen pay KSh 20,000 (about US$155). East African Community nationals pay nothing, and the main permit must have at least six months left to run.
A special pass covers a foreigner conducting business, trade or a profession temporarily. It runs for no more than six months and costs US$200 a month on approval.
It is the lawful bridge while a permit is pending, and East African Community nationals pay nothing. It is not a cheaper substitute, because six months is a hard ceiling.
The visitor’s pass issued at the airport can be extended to a maximum of six months. The extension application and processing fee is US$50.
Order matters more than speed. Decide your purpose, then enter, then file the matching class with evidence that fits it.
Permanent residence is a separate track under sections 37 to 39 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011. It is not a realistic first-year option for most arrivals.
Where to live — Nairobi first, the coast second
Westlands sits closest to offices, malls and services, and is usually among the pricier inner areas. Kilimani suits professionals and younger families, with apartments and more walkability.
Lavington is quieter and more residential, with larger homes and a family pattern. Karen and Runda offer space and low density, at the cost of a longer commute.
These are market descriptions, not official classifications, and no government body ranks Nairobi neighbourhoods. Traffic usually decides the question in the end.
Mombasa is the main coastal alternative, with a different job market and a hotter climate. Diani, south of Mombasa, is chosen more for lifestyle than for work.
Coastal living can lower rent pressure compared with prime Nairobi. The trade-off is thinner access to specialist services, schools and employers.
Money — deposits, banking and M-Pesa
The Kenyan shilling is market-determined, with no peg, and trades near 129.5 shillings to the dollar. All conversions here use 23 September 2026 exchange rates.
Landlords and agents commonly ask for a deposit of one to two months’ rent. That is market custom rather than a statutory rule, so it varies with the property and the lease.
Before signing, check whether service charge, water, backup power, parking and internet are included. Those extras change the real monthly cost more than the headline rent does.
Rent is usually paid by bank transfer or mobile money once you are settled. M-Pesa remains central to daily payments, so a local account plus mobile money is the practical pairing.
Moving to Kenya is easier on the nerves if you build the budget in shillings and convert only to compare. Setup costs usually exceed the first estimate, so keep a contingency line.
Health cover, schools and daily life
The Social Health Authority runs Kenya’s public health scheme under the Social Health Insurance Act of 2023. All residents, including non-citizens, may register for it.
Contributions are 2.75 percent of gross monthly income, with a minimum of KSh 300 (about US$2.30) a month. Non-citizens register using a foreign resident certificate, also called an alien identity card.
Most foreign residents still carry private insurance, because access and billing vary sharply by facility. Cover should be in place before or immediately after arrival.
That matters most with children, chronic conditions or maternity care. Evacuation cover is worth checking if you will live outside the main urban centres.
International and private school places in Nairobi are a major planning item, with long waiting lists. Start admissions well before the move, and check term calendars and school transport.
Safety varies by district, time of day and transport mode, as in any large city. Ask your employer, school or landlord for current local advice before choosing an area.
Tax, shipping and a realistic first year
Employment income is taxed through PAYE, collected by the Kenya Revenue Authority. The first KSh 24,000 (about US$185) a month is taxed at 10 percent.
Rates then rise through 25 and 30 percent, reaching 35 percent above KSh 800,000 (about US$6,180) a month. Resident individuals receive a personal relief of KSh 2,400 (about US$18.50) a month.
Your own position depends on residence, source of income, contract structure and any tax treaty. Confirm it against current Kenya Revenue Authority guidance before signing a contract.
Household shipments clear through the Kenya Revenue Authority, with standards checks handled by the Kenya Bureau of Standards. Start that paperwork early, because port clearance timing is the usual bottleneck.
Pets need clearance from the Directorate of Veterinary Services, plus vaccination and health documents. Airlines apply their own rules, so confirm both before booking a flight.
A realistic first year when moving to Kenya runs in this order. Get the right entry authorisation, file the permit class that matches your work, and rent short-term before signing a lease.
Open a bank account and mobile money early, register for health cover, and start school applications. Then diarise renewal dates well before they expire, because lapses are expensive to repair.
Connected Coverage
Kenya Residency Visa Requirements 2026: Class K Starts at 35
Retire in Kenya 2026: The Class K Permit, Tax and What It Really Costs
Kenya Work Permit Guide: Fees, Investor Rules and Entry for Foreigners
What Is Not Known
Rent levels are not published by any Kenyan government body. Asking rents in Nairobi and at the coast come from agents and private listings, and they move with demand.
The shilling is market-determined, so the rate you actually receive is set by your bank on the day. The figure used here is a reference rate, not a guaranteed conversion.
Official processing times for work permits are not stated on the immigration service’s own class pages. Only the entry authorisation carries a published target, of about three working days.
Whether a dedicated remote-work or digital-nomad permit exists could not be confirmed. The official list of classes runs A, B, C, D, F, G, I, K and M, with no nomad category shown.
School fee schedules are set by each institution and are not collected in one official table. The same applies to private hospital pricing, which differs widely between facilities.
Sources: Figures come from Kenya’s official eTA portal, the Directorate of Immigration Services pages for permit classes and passes, the Kenya Revenue Authority PAYE schedule and the Social Health Authority premium rates.
- etakenya.go.ke
- etakenya.go.ke
- immigration.go.ke
- immigration.go.ke
- immigration.go.ke
- immigration.go.ke
- immigration.go.ke
- immigration.go.ke
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in Kenya on an eTA?
No. The eTA is permission to travel, and admissibility is still decided at the border. Work, trade or business needs a permit class or a special pass.
How much does a Kenya work permit cost in 2026?
Class D employment costs KSh 20,000 (about US$155) to process and KSh 500,000 (about US$3,860) a year to issue. Class G and Class K each cost KSh 250,000 (about US$1,930) a year, with the same processing fee. Citizens of East African Community states pay nothing.
How long does the Kenya eTA take to process?
Normal applications are processed in about three working days. The official portal still advises applying at least two weeks before travel. Expedited processing costs an extra US$100 and is handled immediately.
What is a special pass in Kenya?
It is a short-term authorisation for conducting business, trade or a profession temporarily. It runs for no more than six months and costs US$200 a month on approval. East African Community nationals pay nothing for it.
How much deposit do landlords ask for in Nairobi?
One to two months’ rent is the common market custom. It is not a statutory rule, so it varies with the property and the lease. Check whether service charge, water, backup power, parking and internet are included.
Do foreigners have to join Kenya’s health scheme?
All residents, including non-citizens, may register with the Social Health Authority. Contributions are 2.75 percent of gross monthly income, with a minimum of KSh 300 (about US$2.30) a month. Most foreign residents still carry private insurance as well.
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