The Kenyan Government, represented by the State Department of Immigration Services, made revisions to the charges for its immigration services, as stated in a special gazette notice issued on November 7, 2023. However, this action faced criticism for not adhering to the requirement of public participation as mandated by the Kenyan Constitution.
A revised circular was then issued on November 14, 2023 revoking the increase in visa and work permit fees and allowing for public participation which took place between November 14 2023 and December 5, 2023. However, the scheduled implementation of these revisions was set to begin on January 1, 2024, but it did not take place as planned.
On April 8, 2024, the Kenyan government officially updated the electronic Foreign Nationals Management System (eFNS) through the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services.
This update includes the implementation of revised charges, levies, and fees for various immigration services, as specified in the Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXV-No. 241, originally issued on November 14, 2023.
The eFNS is the electronic platform which serves as a host for a range of services catering to foreign nationals, such as Passes, Permits, Alien ID cards (Foreign National Certificates), Permanent Residence, and Kenya Citizenship.
Here are some implications of this increase
- All classes of Work permit processing fees which are non- refundable processing fees have been increased by 100% going form 10,000 KES to 20,000 KES
- Class D – Employment and Class G – Investors permit fees have gone up by 150% Kes 200,000 per year to Kes. 500,000 per year for Class D -Employment fess and Kes. 100,000 per year to Kes. 250,000 per year for Class G – Investors permit
- Visitors pass extension which was previously free is now $50
- Dependant’s pass for work permit and permanent resident holders fees have been increased by 100%
- Dependant’s pass for spouse and children of a Kenyan citizen fees have gone up by 300%
After the recent update to the electronic Foreign Nationals Management System, all new applications and pending applications awaiting approval will be handled using the revised rates.
