The registration of foreign companies in Kenya is provided for under the new Companies Act 2015. Under the Act, a foreign company is defined as "a company incorporated outside Kenya"

To register a foreign company in Kenya you need to follow the process

How to register a foreign company online in Kenya

The procedure for registration of a Foreign company in Kenya is as follows.

1. Name search

A name search and reservation of the proposed company is done via the BRS portal in eCitizen. There proposed names in order of preference are submitted for search and the first available name is reserved

2. Submission of the application forms.

The following are submitted via the eCitizen BRS platform.

1. FC1 Application for registration as a foreign company
2. FC2 Statement by registered foreign company for use of alternative or name for the company
3. FC3 Notice of residential address/change of residential address of a local representative of a foreign company.

3.Payment of application fee

Upon submission of all the application documents, payment for the application is done via the BRS portal.

4.Certificate of compliance

Upon a successful application the Registrar of companies shall issue the registered company a certificate of incorporation.

What are the requirements for registering a foreign company in Kenya

To register a foreign company in Kenya, you will need to provide the following:

1. The name of the foreign company for search and if not available alternative names.
2. A certified copy of the certificate of Incorporation of the foreign company, duly certified by a Notary Public from country of origin.
3. If in a foreign language, certified copies of translated documents by a Notary Public.
4. Appointment of a local representative which include the following
5. Registered address of the foreign company in the County of origin.
6. Proposed registered address in Kenya, including the building name, plot number, street, town, and county.
7. Copies of Passports of the foreign directors and shareholders.
8. Passport photos of the foreign directors and shareholders.
9. Contact information of the foreign directors and shareholders of the foreign company which include the following.
   1. Email address.
   2. Telephone Number
   3. Postal address/

Certificate of Compliance for a foreign company.

The certificate of compliance of a foreign company in Kenya is issued upon a successful registration Process. It signifies that the foreign company’s branch is duly registered and compliant with Kenyan law. This certificate is equivalent to a certificate of incorporation for local companies.

Foreign Company registration forms Kenya.

The following are the forms required for registration of foreign companies in Kenya

1. FC1 Application for registration as a foreign company
2. FC2 Statement by registered foreign company for use of alternative or name for the company
3. FC3 Notice of residential address/change of residential address of a local representative of a foreign company.
4. FC4 Notice of hours of opening of foreign company’s registered office in Kenya .

Appointment & Requirements for a Local Representative

A local representative of a foreign company in Kenya is a individual who accepts legal service on behalf of the foreign company and ensures it complies with Kenyan law. The local representative can be a Kenyan citizen or a foreign resident with immigration status in Kenya.

Under Section 979(1) of the Companies Act, 2015, a foreign company that wishes to set up a branch in Kenya is required to appoint at least one local representative. The section states:
(1) The Registrar may not register a foreign company unless the company has at least one local representative in relation to whom the foreign company has complied with the prescribed requirements of the foreign companies regulations relating to local representatives of foreign companies.

Local representative requirements.

1. Contact information of the local representative including
   • Email address
   • Postal address
   • Telephone number
2. Copy of ID of the local representative.
3. PIN number of the local representative.
4. Passport photo of the local representative
5. Residential address of the local representative.

Key Responsibilities of a Local Representative in Kenya

The responsibilities of a local representative are extensive and include both administrative and regulatory duties. These responsibilities are outlined under Division 4 of Part XXXVII of the Companies Act, 2015 and include.

1. Maintaining the Registered Office
2. Filing Notices with the Registrar
3. Ensuring Compliance with the Companies Act
4. Acting as a Point of Contact
5. Accepting service on behalf of the company

Cost of registering a foreign company in Kenya (Breakdown)

The government application fee for registration is typically KES 7,550, which covers name reservation and application filing via the BRS portal. Additional costs often apply depending on your needs:

Item	Typical Cost (KES)	Notes
Government registration fee (name reservation + application)	KES 7,550	Paid via eCitizen BRS — confirm current fee before filing.
Document notarisation / certification	Varies (1,000–5,000)	Depends on country of origin and number of documents.
Professional service fees (Agent / Lawyer)	Varies (10,000+)	Optional — recommended to avoid mistakes and speed processing.
KRA PIN registration	Free	Company PIN registration via KRA e-services may have no direct fee but requires documentation.

Tip: Provide certified documents and accurate contact details to minimise follow-up requests and reduce processing time and extra cost.

How long does it take to register a foreign Company?

The registration of a foreign company in Kenya usually takes 5 to 15 working days from submission. Timelines depend on:

• Completeness and accuracy of submitted documents.
• Speed of document certification and translations (if needed).
• Processing times at the BRS and any manual verifications required.

Post registration processes

After registration of the foreign company, the following compliance is required.

1. Social Health Insurance Fund

Every employer who has employed more that one employee must register with the Fund as a contributing employer.

2. Company PIN certificate

The Company PIN certificate is a tax registration document issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority Pin certificate.

3.National Social Security Fund

The NSSF is a social security fund which each employer must register their employees

FAQs - Foreign company Registration Kenya: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a local director required to register a foreign company in Kenya?

   No, a local director is not required for the registration of a foreign company. However, a Kenyan resident authorized representative is required to accept legal notices on behalf of the foreign company. Commonly referred to as a local representative.

2. Can I register a Foreign company Online in Kenya?

   Yes, The registration of Foreign companies is registered Online via the BRS Portal of the registrar of companies.

3. Is it mandatory to have a local representative in Kenya?

   Yes, every foreign company must appoint at least one local representative who is a Kenyan resident and authorized to accept service notices and represent the company in legal matters.

4. How can I get assistance with foreign company registration in Kenya?

   Biz Brokers Kenya offers assistance with all stages of foreign company registration in Kenya, from document preparation and application submission to compliance guidance. Contact us for a consultation to get started.

Online foreign company registration

We provide and fast and reliable Online foreign company registration service all over Kenya.