Pathway

Kenya Work Residence

Kenya Residency

Updated October 11, 2026

Pathway overview

At a glance

Kenya's Class D permit is for a specific job that needs skills or qualifications not available locally. You need a Kenyan employer willing to support the application and explain why hiring you benefits Kenya.

Job offer required?: Yes, with support from a Kenyan employer
Employer's role: Explain why the skills are unavailable locally and how hiring you benefits Kenya
Local training: The employer must document a Kenyan worker being trained for the role

Summary

Kenya's Class D permit allows a foreign employee to live and work in a specific skilled job when the employer can justify the foreign hire and its benefit to Kenya. The employer provides company, tax and employment evidence together with records of a Kenyan understudy being trained for the role.

The applicant adds certified qualifications, experience and any required professional approval. The resulting permission is linked to the approved job. Neither an offer nor entry permission authorizes work before the employment process is approved.

Eligibility

Your employer must explain why the job needs a foreign worker and provide company registration, tax, and employment records. They must also supply records for a Kenyan understudy: a local worker being trained to take over the role.

You need certified qualifications, a CV, a passport, and any required professional or agency approval. Your employer must support Form 25 and the immigration employment report.

Taking a job in Kenya

Secure the job Find an employer willing to support your Class D application.
Prepare both sets of records Document your skills, the employer’s need, and local training.
Obtain approval Follow the employment and residence conditions for the job.

A job offer alone is not permission to start work.

What This Route Allows

You can live and work in Kenya in the job and for the period covered by your approvals.

What This Route Is Not

A job offer, business visit, or entry visa alone does not let you start work. Approval does not give you unrestricted freedom to change jobs or automatically give accompanying family members permission to work. It does not guarantee permanent residence or citizenship.

Next Steps

Confirm the job offer and your employer's willingness to support the permit.
Ask the employer to prepare the recruitment justification, company records, and local-worker training evidence.
Submit your personal records and complete the required employment and immigration approvals before relying on them to work.