Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia vs Republic of Kenya
A neutral side-by-side of immigration systems, routes and regulators. Each row links to the underlying visa page with its primary government source.
Last reviewed:
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Ethiopia runs a broad eVisa system through the official Ethiopian eVisa portal. The public route inventory covers tourist eVisas and tourist visa on arrival, investment visas, foreign-business-firm employment visas, NGO work visas, conference visas, student visas and residence visas. Most business, work and residence routes require a passport valid for at least six months, route-specific invitation or support letters, and filing through the Immigration and Citizenship Service.
- Official portal
- Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia
- Languages
- Amharic
- Currency
- Ethiopian birr
Republic of Kenya
Kenya's Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS) administers entry, residence and work authorisation under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011. Foreign nationals work mainly under lettered work-permit classes — most commonly Class D (employment by a specific employer), Class G (trade, business or consultancy) and Class K (ordinary residents with an assured external income) — while short-term and dependent stays use the Special, Dependant's and Student's passes. Applications are filed online through the eFNS portal.
- Official portal
- Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya)
- Languages
- English, Swahili
- Currency
- Kenyan shilling
How Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Republic of Kenya differ
| Dimension | Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia | Republic of Kenya |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 8 | 8 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 5 | 5 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 1 | 5 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | — | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa | Class D Work Permit (Employment) |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | — | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | Amharic | English, Swahili |
| Currency | Ethiopian birr | Kenyan shilling |
| Primary regulator | MoJ | LSK |
| Policy changes (last 12 months) | 0 | 0 |
Skilled-route head-to-head
Comparing each country’s most-used skilled-migration route side by side.
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa
- Salary minimum
- —
- Government fees
- —
- Processing time
- —
- Sponsor required
- Yes
- Leads to settlement
- No
Republic of Kenya
Class D Work Permit (Employment)
- Salary minimum
- —
- Government fees
- —
- Processing time
- —
- Sponsor required
- Yes
- Leads to settlement
- Yes
Routes unique to Republic of Kenya
Visa routes side by side
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (8)
Tourist eVisa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Single-entry tourist eVisas are listed for 30 days or 90 days.
Tourist Visa on Arrival
No sponsor · Non-settlement · The official route page is primarily an eligibility list; confirm current stay length and conditions through the eVisa portal or airline before travel.
Investment Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · The official fee table lists 30-day single-entry, 90-day multiple-entry, 6-month multiple-entry and 12-month multiple-entry options.
Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa
Sponsor · Non-settlement · The official fee table lists 30-day single-entry and 90-day multiple-entry options.
NGO Work Visa
Sponsor · Non-settlement · The official fee table lists 30-day single-entry and 90-day multiple-entry options.
Workshop/Conference Visa
Sponsor · Non-settlement · The official page lists a single-entry 30-day conference visa.
Student Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · The official route page lists a single-entry 30-day Student Visa.
Residence Visa
No sponsor · Leads to settlement · The official route page lists a multiple-entry 90-day Residence Visa.
Republic of Kenya (8)
Class D Work Permit (Employment)
Sponsor · Leads to settlement · Issued and renewable in line with the employment; counts toward the residence record for permanent residence.
Class G Work Permit (Trade, Business or Consultancy)
No sponsor · Leads to settlement · Issued and renewable in line with the business; counts toward the residence record for permanent residence.
Class K Permit (Ordinary Residents)
No sponsor · Leads to settlement · Issued and renewable subject to continued assured income; counts toward the residence record for permanent residence.
Class A Work Permit (Prospecting and Mining)
No sponsor · Leads to settlement · Issued and renewable in line with the licensed activity; counts toward the residence record for permanent residence.
Special Pass
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Up to 6 months maximum; not a settlement route.
Dependant's Pass
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Aligned to the sponsor status; renewable while the relationship and sponsor status continue.
Student's Pass
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Aligned to the course of study; renewable while enrolled.
Permanent Residence
No sponsor · Leads to settlement · Permanent on grant, subject to the conditions of the Act.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia or Republic of Kenya?+
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa is the dominant skilled route; Republic of Kenya’s Class D Work Permit (Employment) is the dominant skilled route. “Easier” depends on your salary, sponsor situation, and nationality — see each visa’s eligibility detail.