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Republic of Kenya · investor · Leads to settlement
Class A Work Permit (Prospecting and Mining)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Work permit for a foreign national engaging, alone or in partnership, in prospecting for minerals or mining in Kenya.
- 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
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.
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.
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
Check the route fit
Secure the required mining rights or licences and confirm the investment threshold.
Build the evidence pack
Assemble proof of funds, the project plan and identity documents.
Submit through the official channel
File the Class A application through the eFNS portal.
After approval
On approval, carry out the licensed activity and renew the permit as required.
After approval: prepare for your next step
For Class A Work Permit (Prospecting and Mining), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.
- 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
- 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
- 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
- 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
- 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Kenya. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
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.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse 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
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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 KenyaHow 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