Class G Work Permit

Kenya's Class G work permit is the category for foreign nationals who intend to invest in, or run, a specific trade, business or consultancy in Kenya. Within Kenya's lettered work-permit system, Class G is the route for the self-employed entrepreneur and investor - as opposed to Class D, which covers employees, or the sector-specific classes such as Class A for mining.

Class G is investor- and business-driven. The applicant must show a genuine business that will benefit Kenya, typically through capital investment, job creation for Kenyan citizens and economic contribution. The Kenyan authorities expect evidence of a meaningful level of investment and a credible business that is, or will be, properly registered and operating in Kenya.

The permit is generally issued for up to two years and is renewable. Class G is the natural channel for foreign founders, investors and self-employed consultants establishing or expanding ventures in Kenya - a country whose position as an East African business and technology hub, particularly around Nairobi, continues to draw entrepreneurial migrants.

Class G is for foreign nationals investing in or running a specific trade, business or consultancy in Kenya. You must demonstrate a genuine business venture that benefits the Kenyan economy - the authorities look for a meaningful level of capital investment, a registered Kenyan business, and the prospect of employment for Kenyan citizens.

You need a valid passport, a clean record, and full documentation of the business: its registration, the source and amount of investment capital, bank statements, audited accounts where the business already operates, and a clear business plan. The investment is expected to be substantial enough to show the venture is serious and viable. The authorities assess the economic contribution, job creation and overall benefit of the business to Kenya before granting the permit.

Step one: establish or formalise your business in Kenya - register the company or business with the relevant Kenyan authorities and arrange the investment capital and bank account. Step two: prepare your supporting case: company registration documents, proof of capital investment, bank statements, a detailed business plan, projected job creation for Kenyans, and audited accounts if the business already trades.

Step three: register and complete the Class G application on Kenya's eFNS (electronic Foreign Nationals Services) portal, uploading your passport, photographs, the business documents, a cover letter, your CV and a police-clearance certificate. Step four: pay the application processing fee through the portal.

Step five: the Department of Immigration Services reviews the application, assessing the genuineness and viability of the business, the scale of investment and the benefit to Kenya, including local employment. Step six: if approved, you pay the permit issuance fee and the Class G permit is granted. Step seven: travel to or remain in Kenya, register for an Alien Identification Card where required, and ensure the permit is renewed before it expires.

Beyond the immigration fees, the dominant cost of a Class G permit is the business investment itself - the authorities expect a substantial, evidenced level of capital committed to the Kenyan venture. Immigration costs comprise a non-refundable application processing fee and a larger annual permit issuance fee, running into several hundred US dollars equivalent per year, payable in Kenyan shillings. Add business-registration fees, accountancy and audit costs, a police-clearance certificate, the Alien Card fee, and any legal or consultancy fees for structuring the business and preparing the application.

Class G applications through the eFNS portal generally take several weeks to a few months to be decided. Because the Department of Immigration Services scrutinises the genuineness, viability and economic benefit of the business, applications with thin investment evidence, an unconvincing business plan, or unclear job-creation projections tend to attract queries and take longer. A well-documented, properly registered business with clear capital evidence is processed more smoothly, and renewals are generally quicker once the venture is established.

Once your Class G permit is granted and you are in Kenya, register for an Alien Identification Card with the Department of Immigration Services where required, and keep your permit and business documents organised as proof of legal status.

Run the business in line with what you presented in the application - the permit is tied to that specific trade, business or consultancy. Meet your Kenyan tax obligations, including business and personal taxes, and keep proper accounts, as audited financials and evidence of job creation for Kenyan citizens are typically reviewed at renewal. Maintain appropriate health coverage. Apply for renewal of the Class G permit well before it expires, demonstrating that the business remains genuine, viable and beneficial to Kenya, including continued local employment.