Cost of Investor Permit Application in Kenya
The cost of a Class G investor permit application in Kenya should be separated into official Immigration fees and practical filing costs. The official Immigration fee lines for Class G are KES 20,000 processing fee and KES 250,000 per year issuance fee. The USD 100,000 requirement is not an Immigration fee; it is documentary proof of capital to be invested.
| Fee item | Amount | When payable | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing fee | KES 20,000 | At application / processing stage | Non-refundable official fee. |
| Issuance fee | KES 250,000 per year | After approval | Payable for the approved permit period before final issuance. |
| East Africa Community Member States | Gratis | Subject to eligibility and portal treatment | Confirm nationality and the live eFNS invoice before relying on this fee line. |
| Capital proof | At least USD 100,000 | Evidence submitted with the file | This is proof of capital to be invested, not a government fee. |
| Professional filing support | Quoted after review | Before file preparation and submission | Depends on company status, capital proof, tax compliance, sector licence needs, translations and query risk. |
Other costs to budget for before filing
| Cost driver | When it arises | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Company registration or branch setup | Where the Kenyan investment vehicle is not yet regularised. | The Class G checklist relies on company documents, shareholding records, PIN records and tax compliance. |
| KRA PIN and tax compliance support | Where company or individual PIN / TCC documents are missing, expired or inconsistent. | Tax compliance evidence is part of the official checklist for new and renewal applications. |
| Capital-proof preparation | Where funds must be verified, remitted or explained. | The file must prove at least USD 100,000 capital to be invested and connect the funds to the investor and Kenyan business. |
| Sector licence or regulatory clearance | Where the business activity is regulated. | Class G eligibility refers to any licence, registration, authority or permission necessary for the business purpose. |
| Translations, notarisation or certification | Where foreign documents are not in English or require formal certification. | Foreign-language documents should be translated into English by an accepted authority. |
| Post-approval compliance | After approval, before or after issuance. | Budget for permit issuance, endorsement/presentation directions, foreign national registration and business compliance. |
Get a clear Class G cost estimate before filing
Send us the investor nationality, current Kenya status, business activity, company documents, capital-proof position, KRA status and any sector licence issue. We will identify what is ready, what is missing and what may affect cost or timing.
Class G Investor Permit Requirements in Kenya
The requirements for a Class G investor permit in Kenya should be organised as one coherent evidence file. The strongest applications connect five things: the investor, the Kenyan business vehicle, the capital proof, any required licence, and the benefit to Kenya.
Official Class G checklist reorganised for filing
- Duly filled and signed application Form 25.
- Signed cover letter from the employer, company or organisation addressed to the Director General / Director of Immigration Services.
- Copies of the national passport bio-data page.
- Current immigration status if the applicant is already in Kenya.
- Recent coloured passport-size photograph.
- Valid Tax Compliance Certificate for the company for new applications; company and individual TCCs for renewal cases.
- Documentary proof of capital to be invested of at least USD 100,000.
- Company registration documents, including certificate of incorporation, articles and memorandum where applicable.
- Company and individual PIN certificates.
- Shareholders certificate / CR12.
- Signed current audited accounts for the previous two years for renewals.
- Duly filled Form 27.
- Previous permits or passes held, where applicable.
- Clearance letter from relevant institutions, where applicable.
- Bank statement verification form for new cases.
- Proof of offshore transaction receipt / slip where funds have been remitted.
- English translation of foreign-language documents by an accepted authority.
Requirements grouped into a practical filing pack
| Document pack | What to include | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant identity pack | Passport bio-data page, passport photos, current immigration status and previous permits/passes if any. | Confirms identity, nationality and legal-status position. |
| Application forms pack | Form 25, Form 27 and eFNS-generated application printouts. | Forms must match the cover letter, company documents and capital proof. |
| Company pack | Certificate of incorporation, articles and memorandum, CR12/shareholding certificate, company PIN and company profile. | Shows the legal investment vehicle and the investor’s relationship to the business. |
| Capital proof pack | Bank statements, bank statement verification, offshore transaction proof, inward remittance proof, investment records and capital-use explanation. | Supports the USD 100,000 capital requirement and explains the source/use of funds. |
| Compliance pack | Company TCC, individual TCC where applicable, sector licences, regulator letters and county permit plan. | Shows legal and regulatory readiness for the business activity. |
| Renewal pack | Audited accounts, list of Kenyans employed, current tax compliance documents and copies of previous permits. | Shows continued business activity, employment contribution and renewal compliance. |
Proof of USD 100,000 capital
The USD 100,000 requirement is one of the most important Class G evidence points. It is not enough to mention the figure in the cover letter; the file should show the funds, the investor’s control of the funds, movement of funds where applicable, and how the capital supports the Kenyan business.
- Bank statements showing available capital.
- Bank confirmation or bank statement verification where applicable.
- Offshore transaction receipt / slip.
- SWIFT or inward remittance records where funds have moved into Kenya.
- Kenyan company bank statement where funds are already held locally.
- Business asset, equipment, lease, stock or working-capital records.
- Investment summary or business plan explaining intended use of funds.
Class G investor permit vs county business permit
| Issue | Class G investor permit | County business permit / single business permit |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Immigration permission for a foreign investor to live in Kenya and engage in a specific business, trade, consultancy or profession. | County-level operating licence for a business premises or activity. |
| Issued by | Directorate of Immigration Services through the eFNS process. | The relevant county government. |
| Applicant | The foreign investor, business owner or consultant. | The business entity or premises operator. |
| Immigration status | Yes, once approved and issued according to Immigration instructions. | No. It does not give immigration status. |
Company setup before Class G filing
Because the official checklist requires company registration documents, PIN records and CR12/shareholding evidence, the company file should normally be regularised before filing. Keep detailed incorporation costs and BRS procedure on the separate company-registration pages to avoid SEO cannibalization.
Class G Investor Permit Processing Duration in Kenya
There is no single guaranteed public processing time for every Class G investor permit application. Duration depends on file completeness, capital-proof clarity, company readiness, tax compliance, sector clearance, Immigration workload and whether eFNS queries are raised.
| Stage | What happens | Practical planning period | Common delay point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-filing preparation | Eligibility check, company document review, capital-proof organisation, tax compliance and cover-letter preparation. | Several days to a few weeks, depending on readiness. | Missing CR12, weak bank records, incomplete company documents or expired tax compliance. |
| eFNS submission and invoicing | Online application, upload, invoice generation and processing-fee payment. | Usually short once the file is complete. | Unreadable scans, inconsistent details or wrong document categories. |
| Immigration review | Assessment of eligibility, investment proof, licences, business benefit and supporting documents. | Plan for several weeks; longer if queries arise. | Unclear USD 100,000 proof, missing sector clearance or weak business justification. |
| Approval and issuance | Issuance invoice, payment, presentation/endorsement directions and final permit issuance. | Depends on invoice payment, portal instructions and post-approval steps. | Delayed issuance payment, missed portal notice or incomplete post-approval compliance. |
| Post-approval compliance | Foreign national registration, business permits, KRA compliance, sector licences, accounting records and renewal planning. | Ongoing. | Failure to keep business and tax records ready for renewal. |
Practical duration guidance
As a practical planning estimate, a complete and well-supported Class G file may take several weeks to a few months. Files involving company setup, KRA cleanup, capital remittance, bank verification, sector licensing or Immigration queries can take longer. For business planning, foreign investors should avoid fixing an employment start date, lease commencement, major shipment or project launch purely on the assumption of immediate approval.
Common Class G delays, queries and refusal risks
| Problem | Why it creates risk | How to reduce the risk |
|---|---|---|
| Unclear USD 100,000 capital proof | The file may not prove sufficient capital at full and free disposition. | Use bank verification, remittance proof, transaction records and a capital-use explanation. |
| Company records do not match the investor role | The applicant may not appear clearly as shareholder, director, partner or business controller. | Update CR12 / shareholding records and align them with the cover letter. |
| Missing sector clearance | Some activities require a licence, registration, authority or permission. | Confirm sector requirements before eFNS upload. |
| Expired or missing tax compliance | The checklist requires valid tax compliance evidence. | Resolve KRA gaps before submission where possible. |
| Weak cover letter | The application does not explain benefit to Kenya or the commercial plan. | Prepare a fact-specific letter connecting capital, business activity, jobs, licences and local value. |
| Business permit confusion | The applicant may have a county permit but no immigration permission, or vice versa. | Separate immigration, company, county and sector compliance into one filing plan. |
How Biz Brokers Kenya helps foreign investors
Need help with a Class G investor permit in Kenya?
We assist with eligibility review, Kenyan company setup, capital-proof organisation, cover letters, eFNS filing support and response handling where Immigration raises queries.
Call: +254 757 884 710
Email: info@bizbrokerskenya.com
WhatsApp: Chat on WhatsApp
Official sources and useful links
Immigration procedures and government fees may change. Always confirm the latest checklist and the live portal invoice before filing or paying.
- Directorate of Immigration Services — Class G: Specific trade, business or consultancy
- Directorate of Immigration Services — Work Permits and Passes
- eFNS Information Pack — Application for Permit Class G
FAQs: Class G Investor Permit Kenya
How much does a Class G investor permit cost in Kenya?
The official government fee lines are KES 20,000 processing fee, non-refundable, and KES 250,000 per year issuance fee. East Africa Community Member States are listed as gratis. The portal invoice should be treated as the final payment reference.
What are the main Class G permit requirements in Kenya?
The main requirements include Form 25, a signed cover letter, passport copies, current immigration status if in Kenya, recent passport photo, tax compliance evidence, documentary proof of at least USD 100,000 capital, company registration documents, company and individual PIN certificates, CR12/shareholding certificate, audited accounts for renewals and Form 27.
How long does a Class G investor permit application take in Kenya?
There is no guaranteed public processing time for every file. A complete and well-supported file may take several weeks to a few months; files involving company setup, capital-proof issues, KRA cleanup, sector clearance or Immigration queries can take longer.
What is the USD 100,000 capital proof for a Class G permit?
It is documentary proof that the applicant has capital to be invested of at least USD 100,000. It is not a fee paid to Immigration. It should be supported by verifiable bank, transaction, remittance or investment records.
How do I apply for a Class G permit on eFNS?
Create or log into a Government of Kenya Single Sign On account, access eFNS, select Apply Now, choose Submit Applications and Permit Issuance/Renewal, complete the form, generate the invoice, pay or present the printed application where applicable, and track notifications by email and online account.
Is a Class G investor permit the same as a county business permit?
No. A Class G investor permit is an immigration permit issued through the Directorate of Immigration Services. A county business permit or single business permit is a local operating licence issued by the relevant county government for the business activity or premises.
Do I need a Kenyan company before applying for a Class G permit?
The official checklist requires company registration documents, certificate of incorporation, articles and memorandum, CR12 or shareholding certificate, PIN certificates and related business records. In practice, the company structure should normally be regularised before filing.
What causes Class G permit delays or queries?
Common causes include unclear capital proof, missing CR12, expired tax compliance certificates, inconsistent company and passport records, missing sector clearance, poor scans, missing translations and failure to respond to eFNS queries promptly.
Can a Class G permit holder work as an employee in Kenya?
A Class G permit is for a specific trade, business, consultancy or profession. A foreign national taking up specific employment with a specific employer may need a different permit class, such as Class D, depending on the facts.
This replacement page is intentionally focused on Class G investor permit Kenya. Keep the broader Immigration Services page as a category hub and avoid duplicating long Class G cost, requirements, duration and eFNS procedure sections there.