Republic of Kenya · residence general · Leads to settlement
Class K Permit (Ordinary Residents)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 8 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
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.
- 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 K page.
- Typical duration
- Issued and renewable subject to continued assured income; counts toward the residence record for permanent residence.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 11 July 2026, the Class K Permit (Ordinary Residents) for Republic of Kenya is an unsponsored Kenya immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Kenya government pages, reviewed 11 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/kenya/class-k-ordinary-residents-permit#answer
What is the Class K Permit (Ordinary Residents) in Republic of Kenya?
Class K Permit (Ordinary Residents) 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 K page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the eFNS portal; typical duration is Issued and renewable subject to continued assured income; 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 K is issued to an ordinarily resident foreign national who has an assured annual income from sources outside Kenya. The Directorate of Immigration Services sets a minimum age of 35 and an assured annual income of not less than USD 24,000 (for example from a pension or annuity). The holder may not take up employment or engage in income-generating activity in Kenya. Applications are filed online through the eFNS portal.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Be aged 35 years or over.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
- ✓Have an assured annual income of not less than USD 24,000 from sources outside Kenya.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
- ✓Undertake not to accept paid employment or engage in income-generating activity in Kenya.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
- ✓Hold a valid passport.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
Common blockers
- !Applicant under 35 years of age.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
- !Assured income below USD 24,000 per year or not from external sources.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
- !Intention to take up employment in Kenya.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Evidence of assured annual income from external sources (pension, annuity or similar).Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
- ·Bank statements or financial documentation.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
- ·Passport bio-data and photographs.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
- ·Signed undertaking not to engage in employment in Kenya.Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm you meet the age and assured-income thresholds and will not work in Kenya.
Build the evidence pack
Assemble evidence of external assured income and identity documents.
Submit through the official channel
File the Class K application online through the eFNS portal.
After approval
On approval, reside in Kenya within the permit conditions and renew as required.
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 K Permit (Ordinary Residents) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Class K Permit (Ordinary Residents).
Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) · verified
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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.
Dependant's Pass
Pass for a dependant of a Kenyan citizen, a work-permit holder, a permanent resident or an exempted person.
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
Can a Class K holder work in Kenya?+
No. Class K is for ordinary residents with an assured external income who undertake not to take up employment or income-generating activity in Kenya. To work you would need a different work-permit class.
What income do I need for a Class K permit?+
The official Class K page indicates an assured annual income of not less than USD 24,000 from sources outside Kenya and a minimum age of 35. Confirm the current figures on the official page before applying.
On a Class K permit can I invest in or run a business in Kenya?+
No. Class K is for ordinary residents living on an assured annual income from sources outside Kenya, who undertake not to take up employment or engage in any income-generating activity in Kenya. To invest in and run a Kenyan business you would instead use the Class G permit; confirm the conditions on the official Directorate of Immigration Services page.
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