When sponsoring a foreign employee in Kenya, employers must demonstrate that the position qualifies for a Class D work permit and provide the documents required by the Directorate of Immigration Services.

This guide walks employers through the application process, from preparing the required documents and demonstrating local recruitment efforts to tracking the application and completing the steps after approval.

Who Qualifies for a Class D Work Permit?

A Class D work permit is intended for a foreign national offered specific employment by a specific employer in Kenya. The applicant must have skills or qualifications that are not available in Kenya, and their engagement must benefit the country.

The employer must provide evidence showing why the position requires a foreign employee and why the vacancy could not be filled by a suitably qualified Kenyan.

How to Apply for a Class D Work Permit in Kenya

1. Prepare the Employer’s Documents

Gather the organisation’s registration certificate and a valid company Tax Compliance Certificate. The Directorate may also require clearances from relevant institutions, depending on the application.

Ensure the documents are current and the company details are consistent across the application.

2. Demonstrate Recruitment Efforts in Kenya

The employer must provide evidence that the vacancy could not be filled locally. This includes records of the competitive recruitment process and efforts made to identify a suitably qualified Kenyan candidate.

Keep the recruitment records ready to support the application.

3. Identify a Kenyan Understudy

The application requires details of a Kenyan understudy. Prepare the understudy’s name, national identity card details, contact information, CV and certified academic or professional certificates.

Check that these details are complete before submission.

4. Assemble the Application Documents

Prepare the following documents:

  • Completed Form 25 and Form 27.
  • The applicant’s passport biodata page and recent colour passport-size photograph, as specified in the official checklist.
  • Evidence of the applicant’s current immigration status, where applicable.
  • Copies of previous permits or passes, where applicable.
  • Certified academic and professional certificates.
  • The applicant’s CV.
  • A signed employer cover letter addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services.
  • The organisation’s registration certificate and applicable Tax Compliance Certificate.
  • Evidence of recruitment efforts and the Kenyan understudy’s supporting documents.

Documents issued in a foreign language must be translated into English in accordance with the Directorate’s requirements.

Review the official Class D work permit requirements before submission, as additional supporting documents may be required.

5. Submit the Application Through eFNS

Access the eFNS portal to begin the online application. Sign in with your eCitizen account where prompted and follow the portal’s instructions to complete the application and upload the required documents.

Pay the applicable processing fee and retain the payment receipt and application reference for follow-up.

The Directorate lists a non-refundable processing fee of KES 20,000.

6. Track the Application and Await a Decision

Monitor the application through the portal and respond promptly if further information or documentation is requested.

The Directorate’s 2025 Service Delivery Charter lists 21 working days for work and residence permit issuance. This is a published service target and does not guarantee completion within that period.

7. Complete the Steps After Approval

Once the application is approved, follow the Directorate’s payment and issuance instructions. The published Class D issuance fee is KES 500,000 per year, payable upon approval.

Complete any additional requirements, including a security bond where required. Obtain the issued permit and arrange the required immigration endorsement.

Submitting an application or receiving an acknowledgement does not, by itself, authorize the foreign employee to begin work. Confirm that the necessary permit or other lawful authorization is in place before employment begins.

Need Help With a Class D Work Permit?

If you are sponsoring a foreign employee in Kenya, our Immigration Law team can assess eligibility, review recruitment evidence and supporting documents, and help prepare the Class D work permit application before submission.

Speak to a work permit lawyer in Kenya for assistance with your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Class D work permit take to process in Kenya?

The Directorate’s 2025 Service Delivery Charter lists 21 working days for permit issuance. This is a published service target, not a guaranteed completion date.

Is a Kenyan understudy required for a Class D work permit?

Yes. The Directorate’s Class D requirements include details and supporting documents for a Kenyan understudy.

Is the Class D work permit processing fee refundable?

No. The KES 20,000 processing fee listed by the Directorate is non-refundable.

Can a foreign employee start working while the application is being processed?

Submitting an application does not, by itself, authorise employment. The employer should confirm that the employee has the required permit or other lawful authorisation before work begins.