This is the main Biz Brokers Kenya guide for the Class N Permit Kenya, also searched as the Kenya Digital Nomad Permit or Kenya digital nomad visa. The page is structured around the highest-intent questions: how much it costs, what documents are required, and how to apply on eFNS.
Class N Permit Kenya: Quick Answer on Cost, Requirements and Application
Kenya's Class N Permit is issued to a foreigner who works remotely from Kenya for a company registered outside Kenya, conducts business on behalf of a foreign company, or offers self-employed services to clients located outside Kenya.
Quick cost answer: the official eFNS Class N fee lines show a US$ 200 non-refundable processing fee and an issuance fee of US$ 1,000 per year. A one-year permit is therefore usually US$ 1,200 in government fees, while a two-year permit is usually US$ 2,200, subject to the live eFNS invoice.
Who qualifies for Class N?
The permit is for a person who works remotely within Kenya and whose income-generating activity is linked outside Kenya. It is not the correct route for local employment by a Kenyan company.
Eligible applicant categories
- Remote employee: employed by a company registered outside Kenya.
- Foreign company shareholder or representative: conducting business on behalf of a foreign company.
- Self-employed remote worker: providing services to clients located outside Kenya.
Do not confuse this with a Kenyan employment work permit
If the applicant will work for a Kenyan employer, the file should be assessed under the relevant employment permit route, not Class N.
How Much Does a Class N Digital Nomad Permit Cost in Kenya?
This section carries the strongest commercial search intent: Class N permit Kenya cost, digital nomad permit Kenya fees, and how much does Kenya Class N cost.
Official eFNS Class N fees
| Fee item | Official amount | When it is usually paid | SEO / client note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing fee | US$ 200 | At application / when invoiced | Non-refundable and not a guarantee of approval. |
| Issuance fee | US$ 1,000 per year | After approval / when invoiced | Payable according to the period approved and the live eFNS invoice. |
Total government cost examples
| Approved period | Processing fee | Issuance fee | Estimated official total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | US$ 200 | US$ 1,000 | US$ 1,200 |
| 2 years | US$ 200 | US$ 2,000 | US$ 2,200 |
Other costs to budget for
These are not Immigration issuance fees, but they affect the real cost of preparing a clean Class N application.
Document and filing costs
- Professional review or filing support, where instructed.
- Notarisation, certification or translation where documents require formal preparation.
- Embassy no-objection letter logistics where the embassy process takes time or courier fees.
- Accommodation proof, lease preparation or booking support where needed.
Fee warning for the page
Avoid quoting a fixed Kenya Shilling equivalent unless you update it frequently. Use USD figures and say that the final payable figure is the eFNS invoice.
Class N Permit Kenya Application Requirements
This section should rank for Class N permit Kenya requirements, Kenya digital nomad permit requirements, and documents needed for Class N permit.
Official Class N document checklist
- Duly filled and signed Form 25 online form, printed at the end of the application.
- Two recent passport size coloured photos, for both new and renewal applications.
- Copies of a valid national passport.
- Current immigration status, if the applicant is already in Kenya.
- Detailed and signed applicant cover letter addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services.
- Signed cover letter from the employer, company or organisation addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services.
- Bank statements or payslips for the last three months proving monthly income.
- Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation, lease or rental agreement.
- Letter of no objection from the local embassy of the applicant's home country.
- Company details: physical address, telephone number, email address, contact person, job title, telephone and email.
- Copy of the checklist.
How to strengthen the supporting documents
The goal is to prove that the applicant's work, employer, company or clients are outside Kenya and that the applicant can support themselves while resident in Kenya.
For remote employees
- Employment contract with the foreign employer.
- Employer letter confirming remote work, salary, role and foreign company registration/contact details.
- Payslips and matching bank statements for the last three months.
For shareholders or foreign company representatives
- Company registration/profile documents for the foreign company.
- Board, director, shareholder or founder evidence where relevant.
- Company letter explaining why the applicant will work remotely from Kenya.
For self-employed applicants or freelancers
- Client contracts, invoices or retainers showing clients are outside Kenya.
- Income history supported by bank statements.
- Applicant cover letter explaining the remote-service model clearly.
Common application mistakes
- Using vague cover letters that do not clearly show foreign-source work.
- Submitting income proof that does not match the employer letter or contract.
- Uploading unclear scans or documents with inconsistent names, dates or passport numbers.
- Missing the embassy no-objection letter or accommodation proof.
How to Apply for Class N Permit Kenya on eFNS
The application is submitted online through the Government of Kenya Single Sign-On system and the eFNS portal. This section should answer how to apply for Class N permit Kenya directly.
Step-by-step eFNS application process
- Create a log-in account on the Government of Kenya Single Sign-On portal.
- Use the account to log in to the eFNS portal.
- Select Apply now.
- Open Submit Applications and select Permit Issuance/Renewal.
- Complete the Class N permit application and upload the required documents.
- Generate the invoice through Dashboard → Payments.
- Pay using the available online payment options or follow the portal instructions where online payment is not available.
- Track automatic notifications by email and in your online eFNS account.
Before you submit
Final document review
- Check that names, passport number, nationality and dates match across all documents.
- Make sure the employer/company/client evidence clearly points outside Kenya.
- Confirm that proof of accommodation covers the intended stay period.
- Save the completed application, invoice and payment evidence.
After submission
Payment, follow-up and decision tracking
Monitor email and the eFNS dashboard. If Immigration requests an additional document, respond quickly and keep the upload consistent with the original file.
Processing Time, Validity, Renewal and Dependants
This section supports secondary intent without pulling ranking strength away from cost, requirements and application procedure.
How long does Class N Permit processing take?
The official eFNS Class N page confirms the permit period and requirements but does not publish one guaranteed processing SLA for every file. In practice, timing depends on file quality, review queues, document verification and whether additional information is requested.
Validity and renewal
| Item | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Permit validity | Issued for one or two years, renewable subject to eligibility and approval. |
| Renewal documents | Use updated income proof, current accommodation evidence, current status and fresh supporting letters. |
| When to start renewal | Start early enough to avoid a gap in immigration status. |
Dependants and family relocation
Dependants should be planned separately under dependant processes. Do not merge dependant-pass costs into the Class N cost answer unless you clearly label them as separate.
Internal-linking note
Link from broader pages such as Kenya immigration permits, Special Pass Kenya, and Kenya work permits, but keep this page as the main Class N / digital nomad permit page.
Class N Permit Kenya FAQs
How much does the Class N Digital Nomad Permit cost in Kenya?
The official eFNS fee lines show US$ 200 processing and US$ 1,000 issuance per year. The final payable amount is the live eFNS invoice.
What are the main Class N requirements?
Form 25, passport photos, passport copy, current status if in Kenya, applicant and employer/company cover letters, income proof, accommodation proof, embassy no-objection letter, company details and a checklist copy.
How do I apply for the Class N Permit?
Create a Government Single Sign-On account, log in to eFNS, click Apply Now, choose Submit Applications, select Permit Issuance/Renewal, complete Form 25, upload documents and pay the generated invoice.
Can a Class N holder work for a Kenyan company?
No. Class N is for remote work connected to a foreign employer, foreign company or clients outside Kenya. Local Kenyan employment should be assessed under the appropriate work permit route.
Is the Class N Permit renewable?
Yes. It is issued for one or two years and is renewable where the applicant continues to qualify.
Can Biz Brokers Kenya help with the application?
Yes. We can review eligibility, prepare the document pack, check consistency and support the eFNS filing process.
Need help with a Class N Permit application?
Send us your passport bio page, current status, employer/company/client evidence, three months income proof and accommodation details for a practical eligibility review.
Office: Kose Heights, Argwings Kodhek Road, Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya
Official sources and related guides
Official sources
- eFNS Class N Information Pack
- eFNS Portal
- Directorate of Immigration Services: Work Permits and Passes