Kenya is the biggest economy in East Africa. Many skilled people from other countries want to work here. They look for good jobs and good pay, especially in Nairobi city. But if you are a foreigner, you cannot just come and start working. You must follow the rules. The most important rule is to get the right work visa. In Kenya, it is called the Class D Work Permit. This permit allows you to work for a Kenyan company.
The government wants Kenyan people to get jobs first. This is called the Kenyanisation Programme. So, companies must prove that no Kenyan can do the job before they hire a foreigner. This guide is easy to read. It tells you which jobs need foreign workers in 2025, how to apply for the Class D permit, and how much it costs now.
Kenya’s Top Hiring Sectors for Expat Jobs
Kenya needs special skills that many local people do not have yet. Because of that, companies can hire foreigners for some important jobs.
Here are the sectors that hire many foreigners right now:
- ICT & Technology Jobs: Cybersecurity experts, Data Scientists, AI and Machine Learning engineers, Fintech experts. Main place: Nairobi (people call it “Silicon Savannah”). Why easy? Kenyan universities do not teach these new skills a lot yet. So tech companies always need foreign experts.
- NGOs & International Organisations Jobs: Project Managers, Monitoring & Evaluation officers, Field officers, Directors. Main places: Nairobi and Mombasa.
- Energy & Infrastructure Jobs: Senior engineers, Geothermal experts, Solar energy specialists, Oil & Gas technical experts. Places: Nairobi, Rift Valley, and the Coast.
- Finance & Consulting Jobs: Experts in company restructuring, special auditing, and compliance. Main place: Nairobi city centre.
These jobs pay well and give you a chance to live in a fast-growing country.
The Kenya Work Permit: Focus on Class D
The Class D Work Permit is the normal permit for foreigners who already have a job offer from a Kenyan company.
Important rules you must follow:
- Labour Market Test The company must advertise the job in Kenya first. They must show that no qualified Kenyan applied or that the Kenyan candidates were not good enough. This proves the foreigner is really needed.
- Understudy Clause The company must choose one Kenyan worker as your “understudy”. They must train this Kenyan person so that one day a Kenyan can do your job. You have to send the understudy’s CV and a training plan.
- Online Application Everything is done online on the e-Citizen portal of the Department of Immigration Services (DIS).
- Repatriation Bond The company pays a bond of about KES 100,000. This money is kept in case the company has to send you back home one day.
- Tax Compliance Both the company and you must have a valid Tax Compliance Certificate from Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
Fees and Duration in 2025
- Processing fee (you pay when you apply): KES 20,000 (you don’t get it back).
- Issuance fee (you pay when it is approved): KES 500,000 per year.
- How long it lasts: Usually 1 or 2 years. You can renew it, but maximum total is 4 years.
Step-by-Step Kenya Work Visa Process Guide
The employer does most of the work. You should not come to Kenya before the permit is approved.
Before you come to Kenya
- The Kenyan company collects all documents: your CV, degree certificates, job contract, understudy details, company tax certificate, etc.
- The company creates an account on e-Citizen and submits the application for you.
- Government officers check everything. They look carefully at the Labour Market Test and the understudy plan.
- If everything is okay, you get an approval letter by email.
Important: Do not buy a plane ticket until you see the approval letter.
After you arrive in Kenya
- You enter Kenya with a normal tourist eVisa or referral visa.
- The company pays the big fee (KES 500,000 per year) and the repatriation bond.
- You go to Nyayo House in Nairobi. Immigration officers put the work permit stamp in your passport.
- Within 90 days, you must apply for the Alien Card (foreigner ID card).
For short jobs (less than 6 months)
If you come only for a short project, training, or emergency work, you can use a Special Pass. It costs USD 200 per month. Many people use the Special Pass while waiting for the full Class D permit.
Compliance and Legal Obligations
When you start working, remember these things:
- Tax: You pay normal income tax in Kenya (PAYE). Your employer removes it from your salary every month.
- Social Security: You and your employer pay NSSF (pension) and NHIF (health insurance).
- Family: If you bring your husband/wife or children, you must apply for a Dependent Pass for them. It is a separate application.
- Changing jobs: The Class D permit is only for one job and one company. If you want to change company or change your job title, you need a new permit or a variation.
Tip: Many people hire a registered immigration lawyer in Kenya. It makes the process faster and safer.
Call to Action (CTA)
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Disclaimer:
This guide is only for information. Rules and fees can change anytime. Always check the latest information on the official e-Citizen website or ask a licensed immigration lawyer in Kenya before you apply.