Since the beginning of March 2024, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration effected
the new immigration rates as had been published via a gazette notice Vol.CXXV-No.241 dated 1th
November 2023.Per the immigration department, the new rates reflect the prevailing economic state
as the repealed rates came into effect years ago, and are not in tandem with the rates charged by
some of the progressive countries with stringent immigration policies.
Revised Rates
The new rates have since then been actualized on the immigration system where work permit (Class
D) issuance fee has been revised to Kshs.500,000/-per year from the previous Kshs.200,000/- per
year. Investors will now pay Kshs.250,000/-on Class G permits per year, while previously they paid
Kshs.100,000/-. The same rates will apply to Class B (Agriculture and Husbandry); Class
C(Prescribed Professions); Class F(Specific Manufacturing); and Class K (Ordinary Residents). The
only rates that remain unchanged are those applicable to approved religious and charitable activities
(Class G) which remain at Kshs.50,000/-, and refugees (Class M) that will continue to be issued
gratis. The permit application fee has been revised upwards by Kshs.10,000/- to Kshs.20,000/-
while that of the Class I permits has been increased from Kshs.1,000/- to Kshs. 5,000/-.
Foreigners applying for a special pass valid for 3 months will now pay $600 issuance fees. This is a
departure from the previous charge of Kshs.45,000/-. The immigration system has already been
configured to invoice for this fee in US Dollars. Foreigner Certificates, commonly known as alien
cards application fee has also been revised upwards to Kshs.5,000/-. This fee is yet to be
implemented on the system, and is therefore among the changes that are expected to be seen in the
coming days. Likewise, re-entry passes issued to dependants of permit holders will now be charged
Kshs.5,000/- from the previous Kshs.1,000/- per year.
New Services and Charges
Besides the revised government fees, new elements have also been introduced to immigration
practice to presumably make the management of foreign nationals more efficient and also increase
the government revenue base. For example, there has been introduced an express work permit
service at a charge of $10,000/-. The Immigration portal is yet to implement this feature but the
changes are still expected to be implemented. There is also the introduction of Kshs.50,000/-
cancellation fee for work permits, which service was not previously charged. Again, there is
introduced a charge for failure to apply for an Alien Card and also for replacement of a lost Alien
Card at Kshs.2,000/-
eTA versus VISA system
Alongside the services offered under the eFNS section, the visa section has also undergone
significant changes, starting with the replacement of the visa system with the electronic travel
authorization (eTA). All foreigners traveling into the country, including those who were visa exempt,
are now required to register and obtain authorization to travel into the country through the eTA
system. Those liable to pay for an eTA will be charged a fee of $30. Departing from the multiple visa
system, travellers will be required to apply for an eTA each time they leave and re-enter the country
and therefore it is advisable for travellers to allow enough time between exit and re-entry to cater for
the approval of their re-entry applications. This is one of the aspects that immigration ought to look
at going forward in support of visitors travelling to Kenya multiple times and within a short
itinerary.
An application for an eTA differs significantly from the visa application system in that once you
upload a passport onto the eTA system, most of the details are extracted automatically, making the
process less cumbersome. However, one is required to already have the flight details for both the
inward and the outward travel and the hotel reservations before they can complete the eTA
application. Overstaying a visit will cost $100 while an extension of a visa will cost $200. This was
not previously charged. The East Africa eTA is available for those traveling to Uganda, Kenya and
Rwanda. It should be noted that this eTA can only be used within the reciprocating East Africa
states, and if a visitor leaves to a non-reciprocating state, then they will need to apply for an eTA to
come back to Kenya.
Conclusion
The current changes at immigration are seen as overdue in terms of revenue collection targets for
the government. However, they also introduce some steep charges that may prove a challenge to
expatriates especially with respect to Class D work permits held by high skilled employees. Revenue
collection and attracting foreign investors and skilled labour into the country seems to be a delicate
balance at the moment, but we wait to see how this plays out in the long run as Kenya has been a
preferred business destination for international organizations ,that have continued to set up Africa
Representative Offices in Nairobi.