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© 2026 Visa AtlasReviewed continuously. Last sweep: 14 July 2026
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  4. Class A Work Permit (Prospecting and Mining)

🇰🇪 Republic of Kenya · investor · Leads to settlement

Class A Work Permit (Prospecting and Mining)

By Sam Parks · Last reviewed: 9 July 2026

Source check: all 10 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026

Work permit for a foreign national engaging, alone or in partnership, in prospecting for minerals or mining in Kenya.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyIssued and renewable in line with the licensed activity; counts toward the residence record for permanent residence.
Processing time
Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the eFNS portal.
Government fees
Indicative only - a processing fee plus an annual issuance fee apply; confirm current amounts on the official Class A page.
Typical duration
Issued and renewable in line with the licensed activity; counts toward the residence record for permanent residence.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed 9 July 2026Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the Class A Work Permit (Prospecting and Mining) for Republic of Kenya is an unsponsored Kenya immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Kenya government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/kenya/class-a-mining-permit#answer

What is the Class A Work Permit (Prospecting and Mining) in Republic of Kenya?

Class A Work Permit (Prospecting and Mining) is an unsponsored Kenya route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - a processing fee plus an annual issuance fee apply; confirm current amounts on the official Class A page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the eFNS portal; typical duration is Issued and renewable in line with the licensed activity; counts toward the residence record for permanent residence. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) on 1 June 2026.

OverviewEligibilityPathwayApplyFAQ

Overview

Class A is issued to a foreign national who intends to engage, alone or in partnership, in prospecting for minerals or mining. The applicant must hold the necessary mining rights or licences and provide proof of funds to invest of at least USD 100,000, with the activity being of benefit to Kenya. Applications are filed through the Directorate of Immigration Services eFNS portal.

ℹ️ Who can apply?

You do not need a job offer or employer to apply for the Class A Work Permit (Prospecting and Mining). This route can lead to permanent residence. Open to qualifying applicants from all countries.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

  • ✓Intend to engage, alone or in partnership, in prospecting for minerals or mining.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
  • ✓Hold the necessary mining rights or licences.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
  • ✓Proof of funds to invest of at least USD 100,000.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
  • ✓The activity is of benefit to Kenya.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗

Common blockers

  • !No mining rights or licences held.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
  • !Investment funds below the USD 100,000 threshold or not evidenced.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
  • !Activity not demonstrated to benefit Kenya.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗

Typical evidence

  • ·Mining rights or licence documentation.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
  • ·Proof of funds available to invest.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
  • ·Business or project plan.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
  • ·Passport bio-data and photographs.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗

Application pathway

  1. 01

    Check the route fit

    Secure the required mining rights or licences and confirm the investment threshold.

  2. 02

    Build the evidence pack

    Assemble proof of funds, the project plan and identity documents.

  3. 03

    Submit through the official channel

    File the Class A application through the eFNS portal.

  4. 04

    After approval

    On approval, carry out the licensed activity and renew the permit as required.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use official Class A Work Permit (Prospecting and Mining) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Class A Work Permit (Prospecting and Mining).

    Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) · verified 1 June 2026

Matches these professions

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Also explored by

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Compare Republic of Kenya with

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  • 🇲🇺 Republic of Mauritius
  • 🇳🇬 Federal Republic of Nigeria

Related routes

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Permanent Residence

    Permanent residence in Kenya under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, including a route after long lawful residence on work permits.

Frequently asked questions

What does Kenya Class A cover?+−

Class A is for foreign nationals engaging, alone or in partnership, in prospecting for minerals or mining, who hold the necessary rights or licences. Confirm the current requirements on the official Directorate of Immigration Services source.

How much must I invest for Class A?+−

The official Class A pack indicates proof of funds to invest of at least USD 100,000. Confirm the current figure on the official page before applying.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Kenya

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

This is not legal advice

We publish neutral, sourced information about immigration routes. Rules and thresholds change often — always verify details on the official government source linked on this page and consult a regulated immigration advisor before applying.

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