Kenyan Business Visa (Permit)

The Kenyan Business Visa is for people who want to run and/or own a business in Kenya. This allows work activities and multiple entry as a Long-Term Work Visa, from the Kenyan Directorate of Immigration Services.

This should not be confused with a Business-Travel Visa, which is a Visitors Visa used for 30 to 90 Day stays that do not allow work activities.

This long-term Business Visa is specifically considered as an Investor/Investment Visa for Kenya:
These Visas are the equivalent of an Investment Visa or Permit as offered by some other countries.

A person Investing into Kenya needs this visa to gain residence in Kenya and it legally allows the holder to work in the business they have started or purchased.
Another name for this immigration path to Kenya is called “Residence by Investment in Kenya”.

There are different types of Business Investment Visas in Kenya, including Class A, B, F, and G visas.

Contact IBN Immigration Solutions, and you’ll get a local Kenyan immigration consultant to manage your application for this Kenyan visa. After a consult, your specialist will determine which one of the types of Kenyan visas available best suits your situation.

They’ll advise you about which forms and documents you need to complete and about any additional requirements you need to meet, such as a passport that is valid for a further six months after your application is approved. 

What forms and documents are required?

In general, applications for the Kenyan Business Visa require the following:

Assignee (Investor/Applicant)
• Copy of your national passport (biographical page in the passport)
• Copy of your immigration status, if in Kenya OR previous visas and/or permits held (visa page in the passport), if applicable
• Proof of residence for the current residential country
• Certified and translated copies of Academic/Professional Certificates
• Signed application form 25
• Recent clear passport-sized photo on white background (Soft Copy)

Company/Business Entity

§ ORIGINAL covering letter from your company’s office in Kenya and addressed to THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION SERVICES, Nyayo House, Nairobi, KENYA
• Documentary proof of capital to be invested at least USD 100,000
• Certificate of incorporation of the company
• Memorandum of understanding
• Articles of association
• Shareholding certificate (CR 12)
• Copy of PIN certificate
• Signed audited accounts for the last one year (for renewals)
• Tax compliance certificate from KRA (for renewals)

Note: The different types of business visas have additional requirements. The following documentation is necessary to invest in Kenya and apply for this type of Kenyan visa.

Class A Business Visa: Prospecting and Mining

• You must provide proof of a prospecting licence for minerals.
• You must provide proof of investment funds of at least US$100 000.

Class B Business Visa: Agriculture and Animal Husbandry

• You must prove that you have some capital available for investment in the industry.

Note: The Kenyan Business Visahas no minimum amount of capital required.

• You must prove land ownership or leasehold and have clearances or licences from relevant bodies in Kenya.
• You must have a personal identification number (PIN) certificate to transact with the Revenue Authority in Kenya.

Class F Business Visa: Manufacturing

• You must submit a copy of your current manufacturing licence.
• You must provide registration details for the company in Kenya.
• You must provide a memorandum of understanding.
• You must provide articles of association.
• You must provide a shareholder certificate, if applicable.
• You must provide a copy of your PIN certificate.
• You must provide the company’s certificate of incorporation.
• You must have proof of investment funds of at least US$100 000. 

Note: Funds for this type of Kenyan Visa must be invested specifically in manufacturing.

It’s important to get an accurate assessment of costs, so you can budget for applications properly. Your consultant endeavours to calculate all the direct and indirect fees and expenses so that you know what the whole process is going to cost you.

If you have any questions regarding costs, don’t hesitate to ask your Kenyan immigration consultant, who will tell you exactly what you need to invest, qualify and apply for the business visa.

Here are the basic steps to application, for a Business Visa in Kenya.
Correctly following the application process below will improve the chances that your application will be approved.
Keep in mind that this is a complex process, where all criteria may not fit the configuration of your business or subsequent industry. This is why it is generally cost effective to consult with a local immigration consultant in Kenya.

• Kenyan Business Visa Classes: Select the appropriate visa class that aligns with your specific requirements and apply online. Available classes: Class G, A, B, F.
• Begin Application: Access the eFNS portal to start your application or consider applying in person.
• Data: Fill out Form 25 with accurate and up-to-date information.
• Processing: Once you have completed the application, kindly print out the form, sign it, and stamp it with the company’s official seal.
• Gather Required Documents: Assemble all the necessary and required documents as per the application guidelines provided.
• Submit Required Documents: Submit the compiled documents.
• Processing Fee: For Kenyan Business Visa Applications, a processing fee of Kes. 10,050 is applicable. Please ensure to make this payment through the portal. Note that this fee is not required for pass applications.
• Submit Your Application: Upload all the required documents along with the generated invoice for the processing fee as evidence of payment. This step will enable the immigration department to process your application.
• Acknowledgment Receipt: Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an acknowledgment notification to confirm that your application has been received and is under consideration.
• Wait for Processing: The processing time may vary depending on the type and class of Kenyan business visa or pass you have applied for. Rest assured that the immigration department will handle your application with utmost care and efficiency.
• Business Visa – You will be notified when the Kenyan Long-Term Business Visa and Alien Card/Visa is ready for collection.

• Qualification and Eligibility Requirements for a Business Visa in Kenya
• Step by Step Guide: How to Apply for a Business Visa in Kenya
• Understanding the Appeals Process for a Rejected Business Visa in Kenya
• Renewing your Business Visa in Kenya: What You Need to Know
• Common Reasons for Rejection of Business Visa Applications in Kenya
• Key Factors to Consider When Developing an Investment Plan in Kenya
• Important Documents Required for a Business Visa in Kenya
• The Role of Financial Statements in Business Visa Applications in Kenya
• Navigating the Kenyan Immigration System: Tips for a Smooth Application
• The Role of the Kenyan Department of Immigration in Visa/Visa Applications
• Benefits of a Business Visa in Kenya
• Exploring Business Registration Requirements for Business Visa Applications in Kenya
• Investment Options in Kenya
• Kenya’s Growing Economy: Transport, Construction, Telecommunication
• How to Invest in Kenya as an American