Republic of Kenya vs Republic of Korea: where should you move?

Start with the route that fits your plans, then compare the practical steps after approval. A country offering more routes is not necessarily easier for you to move to.

Comparison updated 12 September 2026. The individual source-check dates appear with the relevant guidance.

Route and arrival decisions

Choose between Republic of Kenya and Republic of Korea by your actual plan

These are routes to investigate, not a ranking or an eligibility result. Open the linked route for its conditions, then use the country setup actions to test whether the move works after approval.

Routes to consider for each applicant situation
Your situation	Republic of Kenya	Republic of Korea
Employer-sponsored work Routes recorded for a local job where an employer or route sponsor is required.	Republic of Kenya Class D Work Permit (Employment) Employer-sponsored work permit for a foreign national offered specific employment by a specific Kenyan employer, where the skills are not available locally. Employer or route sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Issued and renewable in line with the employment; counts toward the residence record for permanent residence. Class D (Employment) - Directorate of Immigration Services · source checked 1 June 2026	Republic of Korea E-7 Designated Activities Visa Work visa for foreign professionals in specialised occupations — Korea's primary employer-sponsored route for skilled workers. Employer or route sponsor required · Leads to settlement · 1–3 years; renewable. Hi Korea — E-7 visa information · source checked 18 April 2026
Skilled migration or talent Points, qualification or talent routes. A route can still require a job, nomination or endorsing body.	Republic of Kenya No confirmed route in this category is recorded in the current comparison dataset.	Republic of Korea F-2-7 Points-Based Long-Term Residence Points-based long-term residence for skilled professionals scoring 80+ points — the bridge between work visas and permanent residence in Korea. No employer sponsor recorded · Leads to settlement · 3 years; renewable. Hi Korea — F-2-7 points-based residence · source checked 18 April 2026
Founder or entrepreneur Routes recorded for starting or operating a qualifying business.	Republic of Kenya Class G Work Permit (Trade, Business or Consultancy) Work permit for a foreign national investing in and running a specific trade, business, consultancy or profession in Kenya. No employer sponsor recorded · Leads to settlement · Issued and renewable in line with the business; counts toward the residence record for permanent residence. Class G (Specific trade, business or consultancy) - Directorate of Immigration Services · source checked 1 June 2026	Republic of Korea D-8 Corporate Investment Visa Visa for foreign nationals investing in or managing a Korean corporation — requires minimum investment and creates a pathway to long-term residence. No employer sponsor recorded · Leads to settlement · 1–2 years; renewable as long as the business operates. Invest Korea — Foreign investment · source checked 18 April 2026
Investment residence Investment routes only. Capital does not remove the route-specific approval conditions.	Republic of Kenya Class A Work Permit (Prospecting and Mining) Work permit for a foreign national engaging, alone or in partnership, in prospecting for minerals or mining in Kenya. No employer sponsor recorded · Leads to settlement · Issued and renewable in line with the licensed activity; counts toward the residence record for permanent residence. Application for Permit Class A (Prospecting and Mining) - eFNS · source checked 1 June 2026	Republic of Korea No confirmed route in this category is recorded in the current comparison dataset.
Study Study routes; no work right is inferred from student status.	Republic of Kenya Student's Pass Pass for a foreign national admitted to an academic or training institution in Kenya. Employer or route sponsor required · Non-settlement · Aligned to the course of study; renewable while enrolled. Student's Pass - Directorate of Immigration Services · source checked 1 June 2026	Republic of Korea Student Visa (D-2) Visa for international students at Korean universities — includes part-time work rights and a post-graduation job-seeking extension. Employer or route sponsor required · Non-settlement · Duration of programme; renewed annually. Study in Korea — Information portal · source checked 18 April 2026
Join family Family routes to inspect. The presence of a route does not establish relationship eligibility or dependant work rights.	Republic of Kenya Dependant's Pass Pass for a dependant of a Kenyan citizen, a work-permit holder, a permanent resident or an exempted person. Employer or route sponsor required · Non-settlement · Aligned to the sponsor status; renewable while the relationship and sponsor status continue. Dependant's Pass - Directorate of Immigration Services · source checked 1 June 2026	Republic of Korea F-1 Family Visitation / F-3 Dependent Family Residence permits for family members of work-visa and student-visa holders in Korea — F-3 for dependents of E-series workers, F-1 for extended family visits. No employer sponsor recorded · Non-settlement · Tied to the sponsoring family member's visa status. Hi Korea — Family visas · source checked 18 April 2026
Other long-stay residence General residence routes that are not automatically work, family or investment permission.	Republic of Kenya Class K Permit (Ordinary Residents) Residence permit for a foreign national aged 35 or over with an assured income from sources outside Kenya, who undertakes not to take up employment. No employer sponsor recorded · Leads to settlement · Issued and renewable subject to continued assured income; counts toward the residence record for permanent residence. Class K (Ordinary residents) - Directorate of Immigration Services · source checked 1 June 2026 Permanent Residence Permanent residence in Kenya under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, including a route after long lawful residence on work permits. No employer sponsor recorded · Leads to settlement · Permanent on grant, subject to the conditions of the Act. Permanent Residence - Directorate of Immigration Services · source checked 1 June 2026	Republic of Korea No confirmed route in this category is recorded in the current comparison dataset.

What setup starts after the immigration decision

Four sourced actions from each relocation checklist show the sequence beyond visa approval. The linked country guides contain the complete registration, health, tax, banking, housing and renewal context.

Republic of Kenya

Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration lists distinct work-permit and pass classes. A visitor entry does not become work permission; submit the correct application through eFNS and keep the permit class aligned with the activity.

Before travel
Match the proposed work, business, profession, study or family plan to an eFNS class.
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration: work permits and passes · checked 11 September 2026
- Kenya eFNS: permits information pack · checked 11 September 2026
On arrival
Print and present the issued permit or pass for endorsement as directed.
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration: work permits and passes · checked 11 September 2026
First month
For residence exceeding 90 days, check exemptions and apply for the Alien Card through eFNS; book the document and biometrics appointment.
- Kenya Immigration: foreign-national certificate (Alien Card) · checked 11 September 2026
Later
Calendar permit, passport, KRA, health, school and licence dates separately.

Open the Kenya moving guide

Republic of Korea

The visa category controls work and family rights, while the residence card unlocks much of daily administration. Plan registration, housing-deposit protection, health insurance and tax as connected but separate projects.

Before travel
Match the job, study, investment or family activity to the exact status of stay.
- Korea Visa Portal: Visa Navigator and status-of-stay categories · checked 11 September 2026
On arrival
Verify ownership, senior claims and deposit terms before transferring rental funds.
- Korea Easy Law: foreign tenants, lease protection and fixed dates · checked 11 September 2026
First month
Use consistent residence-card identity details for bank and phone setup.
- Korea Ministry of Justice: foreign resident registration card · checked 11 September 2026
Later
Report a move within fifteen days, or fourteen days for F-4 status.
- Korea Ministry of Justice: reporting a change of residence · checked 11 September 2026

Open the South Korea moving guide

What setup starts after the immigration decision

🇰🇪 Republic of Kenya

🇰🇷 Republic of Korea

Turn your shortlist into a moving plan

Republic of Kenya

Republic of Korea