Author: Edward Omondi •
Last updated: 18 January 2026 •
Canonical: immigration-class-i-permit-kenya.html
See checklist
eFNS application steps
Fees
Note: Class I is for approved religious activities (missionary work: preaching/worship/rituals). If you’re a professional working for a faith-based/charity institution (doctor/teacher/IT/finance) and not preaching, see Class Q.
Class I Kenya - Quick Answers
- What is Class I (KEP/I)? A Kenya work permit for missionaries whose duties are directly preaching or conducting religious worship and rituals.
- Who qualifies? Members of a religious institution registered under Kenya’s Societies Act, deployed for missionary work and considered beneficial to Kenya.
- Fees (as shown on eFNS): Processing: Gratis • Issuance: KES 20,000 per year (confirm on your eFNS invoice at submission time).
- Where to apply? Online via eFNS using eCitizen SSO (Form 25 + uploads).
- Biggest rejection trigger: Misclassified role — if you’re a professional support worker (non-preaching), Class Q is usually the better match.
Reality check: Many older pages still describe Class I as “religious and charitable.” Newer guidance narrows Class I to approved religious activities (missionary worship/ritual roles).
What is a Class I permit in Kenya?
The Class I Work Permit (KEP/I) is issued to a missionary who is a member of a religious institution registered under Kenya’s
Societies Act, and whose activities are directly involved in preaching or conducting religious worship and rituals.
Practical meaning: Class I is for religious activity roles (clergy/missionaries). It is not the best fit for “support professionals” in faith-based institutions.
Who qualifies for Class I (KEP/I)?
Usually qualifies
- Missionaries whose work is preaching
- Religious leaders conducting worship/rituals
- Roles where the core duties are religious ceremonies and worship activity
Usually NOT Class I
- Doctors, teachers, accountants, HR, IT working for a church/charity without preaching
- Program managers and technical experts in NGO/charity operations
- Any role that reads like “professional services” rather than worship/ritual duties
If you’re in a non-preaching professional role for a faith-based/charity organization, consider
Class Q.
Class I vs Class Q (avoid the #1 mistake)
Kenya now distinguishes between (1) religious activity roles and (2) professional support roles inside faith-based/charitable institutions.
If the job description is preaching/worship/rituals → Class I. If it’s professional services (health/education/finance/IT) and not worship → Class Q.
| Permit Class |
Best for |
Typical duties |
Indicative official fees |
| Class I (KEP/I) |
Missionaries / approved religious activities |
Preaching, worship leadership, religious rituals |
Processing: Gratis • Issuance: KES 20,000/year |
| Class Q (KEP/Q) |
Professionals working for religious/charitable orgs (non-preaching) |
Doctor/teacher/IT/finance/engineering/program support (no worship/ritual role) |
Processing: KES 20,000 • Issuance: KES 100,000/year |
Tip: Immigration cares more about your duties than your title. Your cover letters must match the correct class.
Class I permit requirements checklist (official eFNS + practical tips)
Use this checklist to reduce “queries” and re-uploads on eFNS.
Official requirements (Class I / KEP-I)
- Form 25 filled and signed online (print after submission)
- Two (2) recent passport-size coloured photos (new + renewal)
- Valid passport bio-data page
- Current immigration status (if the applicant is in Kenya)
- Two detailed signed cover letters (employer/organization/self) addressed to the Director of Immigration
- Registration certificate of the local religious society (Kenya)
- Proof of registration of the sending religious society in home country
- Letter from the sending society (home country) with contacts: physical address, phone, email, and senior official contact
- Supporting letter from local umbrella religious body (e.g., SUPKEM / Hindu Council / Sikh Union), where applicable
- Documentary proof of training in the religious faith
- Certificate of ordination (where applicable)
- Academic certificates (secondary/college/university as applicable)
- Details of actual place of work (name, physical address, contacts, contact person)
- Translations for foreign-language documents (into English by recognized channels)
- Copy of any previous permits/passes held (renewals)
- Organization registration documents and valid tax compliance documents where applicable
Packaging tips that get approvals faster:
1) Make the job description explicit: “preaching / worship / rituals” (truthfully).
2) Align all dates and duty station details across letters + Form 25 + passport data.
3) Name files cleanly: Form25.pdf, CoverLetter_KenyaHost.pdf, CoverLetter_SendingOrg.pdf, UmbrellaBodyLetter.pdf, Ordination.pdf.
Class I permit fees in Kenya (official)
| Fee type |
Amount |
When payable |
| Processing fee |
Gratis |
At submission (where applicable on portal) |
| Issuance fee |
KES 20,000 per year |
Payable after approval / as per eFNS invoice |
Always confirm amounts on your generated eFNS invoice at the time you apply, since administrative updates can happen.
How to apply for a Class I permit on eFNS (Form 25) — step-by-step
- Create/access eCitizen account (Government of Kenya Single Sign-On).
- Log in to eFNS using eCitizen credentials.
- Go to Submit Applications → Permit Issuance/Renewal → select Class I (KEP/I).
- Complete Form 25 carefully (names/passport details must match exactly).
- Upload documents from the checklist (ensure scans are readable; combine multi-page letters into single PDFs).
- Submit and follow portal prompts (invoice/payment/printouts if required).
- Track status via your dashboard and email notifications.
- After approval/issuance, print the permit and follow any endorsement instructions provided by Immigration.
Cover letter tip: If you’re applying Class I, do not describe the role as “charity professional support” (that reads like Class Q). Describe the actual religious duties accurately.
Class I renewal checklist (practical)
- Apply before expiry (buffer time matters).
- Updated host organization letter confirming continued placement and duty station.
- Updated sending organization letter (home country) confirming continued mission.
- Umbrella body letter update (where applicable).
- Copies of previous permits/passes held.
- Updated tax compliance documents where applicable.
Common refusal reasons (and how to fix them)
- Wrong permit class: Duties read like professional support → apply under Class Q instead (or rewrite duties if you truly do religious activities).
- Missing sending organization proof: No proof of registration in home country or missing sending letter contacts → add both.
- No umbrella body support (where applicable): Add supporting letter from recognized umbrella body.
- Weak “place of work” details: Provide duty station name + physical address + contact person.
- Untranslated documents: Translate into English using recognized channels and upload.
FAQs: Class I permit Kenya (Missionary permit)
Is Class I still for “charitable activities”?
Newer guidance narrows Class I to approved religious activities (missionary roles directly involved in preaching/worship/rituals).
Professional charity support roles are typically handled under Class Q.
What are the current fees for Class I permit in Kenya?
As shown on eFNS, processing is Gratis and issuance is KES 20,000 per year. Confirm on your eFNS invoice at submission time.
Do I need a Kenyan tax compliance certificate?
Where applicable, eFNS indicates valid organization tax compliance documentation may be required. For renewals, requirements can include both organization and individual compliance documents depending on case profile.
Can a church apply for a foreign pastor under Class I?
Yes—if the duties are religious activities (preaching/worship/rituals) and the required institutional registration and support letters are provided.
Disclaimer: This page is general guidance, not legal advice. Requirements can vary by case facts and portal prompts.