Who Qualifies for Kenya’s Digital Nomad Visa?
Eligibility depends on the applicant’s income-generating activity being connected outside Kenya. The evidence should clearly identify the foreign employer, foreign business or overseas clients and show that the applicant can support themselves while residing in Kenya.
Remote employees
Foreign nationals employed by a company registered outside Kenya may qualify where the employer confirms the remote-working arrangement, position, salary and company details.
Foreign company owners
A shareholder, director, founder or representative may qualify when conducting remote business for a company established outside Kenya and supported by company and ownership records.
Freelancers and consultants
Self-employed professionals may qualify when their contracts, invoices and income records show that their clients are outside Kenya.
Applicants who do not qualify
A person taking up ordinary employment with a Kenyan company should be assessed under the appropriate employment permit route, such as the relevant Class D work permit.
Class N Digital Nomad Permit Cost
Government charges are stated in United States dollars. The final payment authority is the invoice generated through eFNS.
| Fee | Official amount | Payment stage | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing fee | US$200 | At application or when invoiced | Non-refundable and does not guarantee approval. |
| Issuance fee | US$1,000 per year | After approval or when invoiced | Payable for the period approved by Immigration. |
Total government fee examples
| Approved period | Processing fee | Issuance fee | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| One year | US$200 | US$1,000 | US$1,200 |
| Two years | US$200 | US$2,000 | US$2,200 |
Additional application expenses
- Professional eligibility review and filing assistance, where instructed.
- Certification, notarisation or translation of supporting records where required.
- Embassy no-objection letter, courier or document-procurement expenses.
- Accommodation documentation or lease preparation where the applicant has not completed relocation arrangements.
Kenya Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
A Class N application must show the applicant’s identity, current immigration status where applicable, foreign-source work, income, accommodation and connection to the overseas employer, company or clients.
Core Class N document checklist
- Duly completed and signed Form 25, generated through the online application.
- Two recent passport-size colour photographs.
- Copy of the applicant’s valid passport.
- Evidence of current immigration status if the applicant is already in Kenya.
- Detailed applicant cover letter addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services.
- Signed cover letter from the foreign employer, company or organisation.
- Bank statements or payslips for the previous three months proving monthly income.
- Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation, lease or rental agreement.
- Letter of no objection from the applicant’s local embassy.
- Foreign company details, including address, telephone, email and contact person.
- Copy of the applicable eFNS checklist.
Supporting evidence by applicant type
| Applicant type | Recommended supporting evidence |
|---|---|
| Remote employee | Employment contract, employer letter confirming remote work, salary evidence, payslips and matching bank statements. |
| Company owner or representative | Foreign company registration documents, shareholder/director records and a company letter explaining the remote business arrangement. |
| Freelancer or self-employed applicant | Foreign-client contracts, invoices, retainers, portfolio evidence and bank records showing consistent overseas income. |
Income evidence
The current eFNS checklist requires three months of bank statements or payslips proving monthly income. The official information pack does not state a fixed minimum monthly or annual income figure. Applicants should therefore rely on the current eFNS requirements and present clear, consistent evidence of sufficient foreign-source income.
How to apply for the Class N Permit in Nairobi, Kenya
The application begins online through the Government of Kenya Single Sign-On system and the eFNS portal. Prepare the complete document file before starting Form 25.
Step-by-step eFNS procedure
- Create or sign into a Government of Kenya Single Sign-On account.
- Use the account to access the eFNS portal.
- Select Apply Now, then Submit Applications.
- Choose Permit Issuance/Renewal and open the Class N application.
- Complete Form 25 with the applicant, employer, company, address and income details.
- Upload readable supporting documents in the correct sections.
- Generate and pay the processing invoice as directed through Dashboard and Payments.
- Print and retain the completed application, invoice and payment evidence.
- Follow the portal instructions on presenting the application printout where required.
- Monitor email and the eFNS dashboard and respond promptly to any Immigration query.
- After approval, pay the issuance invoice within the required period.
- Download and print the permit and present it for endorsement where instructed.
Pre-submission review
- Confirm that the passport number, names, nationality and dates match across every document.
- Ensure the employer, company or client evidence clearly identifies an overseas connection.
- Make sure the income records match the cover letters, contracts and stated occupation.
- Confirm that the accommodation evidence covers the intended residence period.
- Use descriptive file names and upload clear, complete scans.
Processing Time, Validity and Compliance
How long does the Class N application take?
The official eFNS information pack does not publish a guaranteed processing period for every Class N application. Timing depends on the quality of the file, Immigration review queues, document verification and whether additional information is requested.
Applicants should submit well before their intended relocation or before their current Kenyan immigration status expires. Do not make non-refundable travel or accommodation commitments based solely on an estimated processing period.
Validity and renewal
| Issue | Practical position |
|---|---|
| Permit validity | Class N may be issued for one or two years, subject to approval and the live eFNS invoice. |
| Renewal | Renewal is possible where the holder continues to qualify and provides updated documents. |
| Dependants | Family members require separate immigration planning and are not automatically covered by the principal applicant’s Class N permit. |
| Local employment | Class N does not replace the appropriate permit for ordinary employment by a Kenyan company. |
Immigration and tax are separate
A Class N Permit determines immigration permission; it does not by itself determine Kenyan tax residence or guarantee exemption from Kenyan tax. A person expecting to spend substantial time in Kenya should obtain tax advice based on their days of residence, income source, employer or business structure and any applicable double-tax agreement.
Kenya Digital Nomad Visa FAQs
Is Kenya’s Digital Nomad Visa the same as the Class N Permit?
Yes. “Kenya Digital Nomad Visa” is the common search term. The official immigration category is the Class N Digital Nomad Permit.
How much does the Kenya Digital Nomad Visa cost?
The official fee lines show US$200 for processing and US$1,000 for each approved year. The usual government total is therefore US$1,200 for one year or US$2,200 for two years, subject to the live eFNS invoice.
What is the minimum income requirement?
The current eFNS Class N checklist requires bank statements or payslips for the previous three months proving monthly income, but it does not state a fixed minimum monthly or annual figure.
Can I work for a Kenyan company under Class N?
No. Class N is designed for remote work connected to a foreign employer, foreign company or clients outside Kenya. Employment by a Kenyan company should be assessed under the appropriate employment permit route.
Must I be in Kenya to apply?
The appropriate filing strategy depends on the applicant’s current location, immigration status and planned relocation date. Where the applicant is already in Kenya, the Class N checklist requires evidence of their current immigration status.
Can I apply while planning to live in Nairobi?
Yes. Class N is a Kenya-wide immigration permit, and Nairobi may be used as the applicant’s intended residence where supported by accommodation evidence. Biz Brokers Kenya provides application support from its Kilimani, Nairobi office.
Can dependants be included in the Class N application?
Dependants are not automatically included under the principal applicant’s permit. Each family member should be assessed for the appropriate separate immigration status.
Is the Class N Permit renewable?
Yes. Renewal may be considered where the applicant continues to qualify and provides updated income, employment or business, accommodation and immigration-status documents.
Does Class N exempt me from Kenyan tax?
No automatic tax exemption should be assumed. Immigration permission and tax residence are separate issues and should be assessed independently.
Can Biz Brokers Kenya assist with the application?
Yes. We assist with eligibility assessment, document planning, cover letters, Form 25, eFNS filing, Immigration queries, payment follow-up and endorsement guidance from Nairobi.
Official sources
- eFNS Class N Digital Nomad Permit information pack
- eFNS portal
- Directorate of Immigration Services — Work Permits and Passes
Related immigration guides
Need Help With a Kenya Digital Nomad Visa Application?
Send us the applicant’s passport bio-data page, current location and immigration status, employer, company or client evidence, three months of income records and intended accommodation details.
Office: Kose Heights, Argwings Kodhek Road, Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya
Call: +254 757 884 710
Email: info@bizbrokerskenya.com
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