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Republic of Kenya · family

Dependant's Pass

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Pass for a dependant of a Kenyan citizen, a work-permit holder, a permanent resident or an exempted person.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyAligned to the sponsor status; renewable while the relationship and sponsor status continue.
Processing time
Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the eFNS portal.
Government fees
Indicative only - a fee applies per the official schedule; confirm current amounts on the official Dependant's Pass page.
Typical duration
Aligned to the sponsor status; renewable while the relationship and sponsor status continue.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) ↗

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the Dependant's Pass for Republic of Kenya is a sponsor-led Kenya immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Kenya government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/kenya/dependants-pass#answer

What is the Dependant's Pass in Republic of Kenya?

Dependant's Pass is a sponsor-led Kenya route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - a fee applies per the official schedule; confirm current amounts on the official Dependant's Pass page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the eFNS portal; typical duration is Aligned to the sponsor status; renewable while the relationship and sponsor status continue. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

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

Overview

The Dependant's Pass is issued to a dependant of a Kenyan citizen, a work-permit holder, a permanent resident or an exempted person. The applicant must evidence the family relationship and that the sponsor can support them. Applications are filed online through the Directorate of Immigration Services eFNS portal.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the sponsor status allows sponsoring the dependant.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Gather relationship and support documents.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    File the Dependant's Pass application online through the eFNS portal.

  4. After approval

    On approval, the dependant resides in line with the sponsor status and renews as required.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Dependant's Pass, 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. 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. 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. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check the conditions for your own permission, including work, and keep evidence of the qualifying relationship. The principal applicant’s conditions may differ.
  4. 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. 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.
Official Dependant's Pass instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Kenya

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

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 + sponsor
    Use official Dependant's Pass route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Dependant's Pass.

    Directorate of Immigration Services (Kenya) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Who can be sponsored on a Kenya Dependant's Pass?+

A dependant of a Kenyan citizen, a work-permit holder, a permanent resident or an exempted person, with proof of the relationship and means of support. Confirm the current rules on the official Directorate of Immigration Services page.

Can a Dependant's Pass holder work?+

A Dependant's Pass is based on the family relationship; taking up employment generally requires the relevant work-permit class. Confirm the current conditions on the official 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 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

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