A Class D Permit or a Work Permit in Kenya, also commonly referred to as a Work VISA is issued to Foreign Nationals who wish to Work and reside in Kenya or seek specific employment in Kenya. Work Permits are also issued to Businesses and organizations wishing to employ foreign nationals to work and reside in Kenya.

The application of a Work permit is tedious and is specifically monitored to encourage Businesses and organizations to seek employees from qualified Kenyans locally. However, strategically qualified foreign Nationals or Key Employees for Foreign Companies qualify to apply for a Work Permit in Kenya.

Requirements for work permit application in Kenya?

To make an application for a Class D Work Permit in Kenya, you shall require the following.

1. Certified Copies of academic qualification certificates and professional certificates of the applicant.
2. Detailed resume of the applicant.
3. Copy Registration certificate of the employing company or organization.
4. Company PIN registration certificate of the company or organization.
5. Documented evidence that the position to be filled cannot be filled by a Kenyan citizen.
6. Tax compliance certificate of the employer company.
7. Executed immigration application Form 25.
8. Passport photo of the applicant.
9. Copy of passport of the applicant.
10. Cover Letter from the company or organization offering employment.
11. Contact information of the applicant. Email, Phone number, postal address and residential address.
12. Contact information of the employer. Email, Phone number, postal address and residential address.
13. Employment contract from the employer to the applicant.
14. Employment contract of the understudy.
15. Resume of the understudy.
16. Contact information of the understudy. Email, Phone number, postal address and residential address.

Eligibility to apply for a work permit in Kenya.

Before you apply for a work permit in Kenya, it is important to ensure that you are eligible to make the application. The eligibility criteria varies depending on the type of work permit you are applying for, including

• You must have a valid Passport form your country of origin.
• You must have a Job or employment offer from a Kenyan employer.
• You must have relevant qualifications and experience for the proposed job / Employment offer.
• You must provide evidence the Job cannot be filled by a Kenyan citizens or supporting information.

kenya work permit.

To be able to live and work in Kenya, a foreign national who qualifies has to make an application for a work permit via the department of immigration in Kenya.

Process for application of a Work Permit in Kenya.

After compilation of all the required information and documents, The application for a work permit is made to the Director of Immigration Services Kenya.
There is an Non refundable application fee of Kenya Shillings 10,000.

Once the application has been processed and is successful an Approval certificate shall be issued containing the terms of the permit.

Benefits of a Work Permit in Kenya.

Upon a successful application for a work VISA, you shall be issued with a two year Work Permit. Some of the benefits include

1. The applicant is free to work like a local in kenya.
2. The applicant upon issuance of an alien certificate can apply for a PIN and be registered as a tax payer.
3. The applicant may enter and exit Kenya without any VISA requirement or fees
4. The applicant may purchase or invest in leasehold property in Kenya.
5. The investor is free to open and operate bank accounts in Kenya.

Limitation of a Work Permit in Kenya.

The beneficiary of a work permit is limited to work strictly only under the sponsoring or employer company under which the application was issued.
Of course where the applicant is a consultant and the nature of work is such that he may be seconded to other companies or entities, this is permissible. However, it must be clearly indicated in the application.

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Kenya work permit cost

The most commonly asked question is "What is the cost of a Class d work permit in kenya?"
The official cost of work permit in kenya include the following,

• Application fee KES 10,000
• Permit Fee KES 100,000 per year. Paid max 2 years at a time.
• Security Bond worth KES 100,000. Cost of Bond varies with the Insurance company or Bank
• Consultation fee on request.

How do I cancel my work permit in Kenya?

A work permit may be canceled under the following circumstances

• Upon resignation, the applicant should notify the department of immigration in Writing.
• Upon termination of the employment contract. The employer should notify the immigration department in writing.
• On change of Jobs. The permit holder should notify the immigration department and submit a new application.

How long does it take to get a work permit for Kenya?

The application process for a kenya work visa can take between 3 to 6 months. Permits are processed at the pleasure of the immigration department.

What is a Kenyan understudy?

A Kenyan understudy is a local Kenyan trainee employee that is required to work and train under the guidance of a foreign permit holder for experience and skill transfer purposes. The immigration approval rules make It is necessary for the Kenyan employee company to employ and contract a local Kenyan employee to train under the permit holder.

Kenya work permit approval criteria

A work permit in Kenya is approved based in the following criteria.

1. The applicants skills are not locally available in Kenya.
2. The issuance of the permit should be to the benefit of Kenya.

Can I work while waiting for work permit?

No applicant should engage in or undertake any work before the permit is processed and issued. No immigrant can work in Kenya without a work permit.

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Other Wok permit Services.

• Renewal of a work Permit in Kenya.

• Permit Application Services..

• Kenya Work Permit Checklist..