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Guide

East Africa and Indian Ocean Residence Options

What could support a move to East Africa?

Your reason for moving helps determine the permission you need. A local job, studies, a spouse, an active business, or accepted retirement income can each lead to a different application. Some island routes also support remote work or residence tied to an approved investment.

About this guide

Think first about how you would support yourself and spend your time in your destination. Working locally, working for overseas clients, running a business, and retiring can require different permissions even in the same country.

This guide compares selected routes in East Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, including countries in the region’s southern part. The regional report explains the differences between temporary permission, permanent residence, and citizenship, and identifies questions to settle before applying.

Pathways compared 50
Countries covered 12

Employer-supported work
Ethiopia Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Ethiopia, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Kenya Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Kenya, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Madagascar Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Madagascar, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Mauritius Skilled Employee Residence Employment Residency Mauritius's professional occupation permit combines residence and work permission for foreign employees earning at least the current minimum basic monthly salary. Residence and work under an approved professional Occupation Permit
Malawi Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Malawi, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Mozambique Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Mozambique, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Rwanda Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Rwanda, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Seychelles Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Seychelles, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Tanzania Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Tanzania, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Uganda Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Uganda, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Zambia Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Zambia, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Zimbabwe Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Zimbabwe, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.

No pathways match that filter.

Higher-education study
Ethiopia Student Residence Study Residency Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Ethiopia can support an application for student residence. Stay for the approved studies and permit period, while continuing to meet the conditions.
Kenya Student Residence Study Residency Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Kenya can support an application for student residence. Stay for the approved studies and permit period, while continuing to meet the conditions.
Malawi Student Residence Study Residency Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Malawi can support an application for student residence. Stay for the approved studies and permit period, while continuing to meet the conditions.
Rwanda Student Residence Study Residency Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Rwanda can support an application for student residence. Stay for the approved studies and permit period, while continuing to meet the conditions.
Seychelles Student Residence Study Residency Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Seychelles can support an application for student residence. Stay for the approved studies and permit period, while continuing to meet the conditions.
Tanzania Student Residence Study Residency Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Tanzania can support an application for student residence. Stay for the approved studies and permit period, while continuing to meet the conditions.
Uganda Student Residence Study Residency Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Uganda can support an application for student residence. Stay for the approved studies and permit period, while continuing to meet the conditions.
Zambia Student Residence Study Residency Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Zambia can support an application for student residence. Stay for the approved studies and permit period, while continuing to meet the conditions.
Zimbabwe Student Residence Study Residency Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Zimbabwe can support an application for student residence. Stay for the approved studies and permit period, while continuing to meet the conditions.

No pathways match that filter.

Retirement and independent income
Kenya Assured-Income Residence Passive Income Residency Kenya has a residence route for qualifying applicants supported by accepted retirement income or independent resources. Approved residence on the stated nonworking basis for the period granted.
Madagascar Retirement Residence Retirement Residency Madagascar has a residence route for qualifying retirees supported by accepted retirement income. Approved residence on the stated nonworking basis for the period granted.
Mauritius Retirement Residence Retirement Residency Mauritius offers a renewable ten-year residence permit to non-citizens aged 50 or older who can transfer at least USD $2,000 monthly or USD $24,000 yearly. Retired non-citizen residence, subject to the required transfers and permit conditions
Rwanda Retirement Residence Retirement Residency Rwanda has a residence route for qualifying retirees supported by accepted retirement income. Approved residence on the stated nonworking basis for the period granted.
Tanzania Retirement Residence Retirement Residency Tanzania has a residence route for qualifying retirees supported by accepted retirement income. Approved residence on the stated nonworking basis for the period granted.
Zambia Retirement Permanent Residence Retirement Residency Zambia has a residence route for qualifying applicants supported by accepted retirement income or independent resources. A Residence Permit conferring permanent residence if the retirement application is approved. Its validity remains subject to entry and absence rules.

No pathways match that filter.

Remote work and long stays
Kenya Digital Nomad Permit Digital Nomad Residency Class N allows qualifying remote workers serving employers or clients outside Kenya to apply for temporary residence while working remotely. Temporary residence for approved foreign remote work. The official page describes one- or two-year permits, renewable subject to approval.
Mauritius Remote Work and Long-Stay Visa Digital Nomad Residency Remote workers, retirees, or long-stay visitors Temporary long stay on the Premium Visa basis, without entering the local labor market

No pathways match that filter.

Active business, investment and approved property
Kenya Business Residence Entrepreneur Residency Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Kenya. The business and your personal role must qualify. Residence for the business activity and period accepted by the authorities, with any separate work or professional approval still required.
Madagascar Business Residence Entrepreneur Residency Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Madagascar. The business and your personal role must qualify. Residence for the business activity and period accepted by the authorities, with any separate work or professional approval still required.
Mauritius Approved-Property Residence Property Residency A qualifying home in an Economic Development Board approved residential scheme can support residence in Mauritius while the property remains owned. Residence tied to continued ownership of the qualifying property. EDB describes work-permit exemptions for these approved-scheme residence holders; confirm that the issued status covers the intended activity.
Mauritius Golden Investor Residence Investment Residency Mauritius's new Golden Visa offers a renewable two-year status and a route to permanent residence after a USD $1 million investment in an approved high-value sector. Long residence under the qualifying Golden Visa investment framework, subject to approval
Mauritius Business Investor Residence Entrepreneur Residency Investors who establish and operate a Mauritius business Residence and business activity under an approved investor Occupation Permit
Mauritius Self-Employed Residence Self Employed Residency Independent professionals running a Mauritius service business Residence for the approved self-employed professional activity
Malawi Business Residence Entrepreneur Residency Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Malawi. The business and your personal role must qualify. Residence for the business activity and period accepted by the authorities, with any separate work or professional approval still required.
Mozambique Investment Visa Investment Residency An approved investment project valued at least USD $500,000 can support the investor-visa process for a qualifying applicant linked to that project. A multiple-entry investment visa for the period actually granted. The portal lists 90-, 180-, 365- and 730-day options; not every applicant is entitled to the longest term.
Rwanda Business Residence Entrepreneur Residency Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Rwanda. The business and your personal role must qualify. Residence for the business activity and period accepted by the authorities, with any separate work or professional approval still required.
Seychelles Business Residence Entrepreneur Residency Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Seychelles. The business and your personal role must qualify. Residence for the business activity and period accepted by the authorities, with any separate work or professional approval still required.
Tanzania Business Residence Entrepreneur Residency Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Tanzania. The business and your personal role must qualify. Residence for the business activity and period accepted by the authorities, with any separate work or professional approval still required.
Uganda Business Residence Entrepreneur Residency Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Uganda. The business and your personal role must qualify. Residence for the business activity and period accepted by the authorities, with any separate work or professional approval still required.
Zambia Investor Permit Investor Residency An adult investing in a new or existing Zambian business can apply for an Investor’s Permit with the required capital and company evidence. Residence for the approved investment activity during the permit period. A later Residence Permit application is separate; confirm the required holding period and investment conditions under the rules then in force.
Zimbabwe Business Residence Entrepreneur Residency Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Zimbabwe. The business and your personal role must qualify. Residence for the business activity and period accepted by the authorities, with any separate work or professional approval still required.

No pathways match that filter.

Joining a spouse
Ethiopia Spouse Residence Family Residency A spouse of an Ethiopian citizen can apply for family residence in Ethiopia, subject to the required evidence and immigration decision. Approved residence on the spouse basis for the period granted.
Kenya Spouse Residence Family Residency A spouse of a Kenyan citizen or qualifying permit or permanent-residence holder can apply for family residence in Kenya, subject to the required evidence and immigration decision. Approved residence on the spouse basis for the period granted.
Rwanda Spouse Residence Family Residency A spouse of a foreign temporary resident can apply for family residence in Rwanda, subject to the required evidence and immigration decision. Approved residence on the spouse basis for the period granted.
Seychelles Spouse Residence Family Residency A spouse of a Seychelles citizen can apply for family residence in Seychelles, subject to the required evidence and immigration decision. Approved residence on the spouse basis for the period granted.
Uganda Spouse Residence Family Residency A spouse of a Ugandan citizen or lawful foreign resident can apply for family residence in Uganda, subject to the required evidence and immigration decision. Approved residence on the spouse basis for the period granted.
Zambia Spouse Residence Family Residency A spouse of a Zambian citizen, established resident or permanent-residence holder can apply for family residence in Zambia, subject to the required evidence and immigration decision. Approved residence on the spouse basis for the period granted.

No pathways match that filter.

Citizenship through a parent
Kenyan Citizenship by Parent Descent Citizenship Kenya's Constitution treats a person as a citizen by birth if, on the day the person was born, either the mother or father was a Kenyan citizen. The rule applies whether the person was born in Kenya or abroad. Recognition of citizenship through a Kenyan parent, when the birth and nationality facts qualify

No pathways match that filter.