Kenya — Visa & Relocation Services

Overview
Kenya is East Africa’s economic powerhouse — home to Nairobi (the “Silicon Savannah”), the Maasai Mara, Mount Kenya, and one of Africa’s most dynamic startup ecosystems. It is a top destination for African tourists, students, professionals, and investors, with a rapidly growing tech and business community.

🛂 Tourist / Visit Visa

• eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation): Kenya replaced the traditional tourist visa with an eTA system effective January 2024. Most nationalities, including Nigerians, can apply online at https://etakenya.go.ke.
• Cost: USD 30 for most nationalities. USD 50 for some. Children under 16: Free.
• Duration: 90 days (single or multiple entry). Extendable at the Department of Immigration Services in Nairobi.
• Nigerian Citizens: ECOWAS free movement applies — Nigerians can enter Kenya visa-free under the African Union Free Movement Protocol AND ECOWAS travel rights. Confirm current status at time of travel as policies evolve.
• eTA Requirements: Valid passport (6+ months), return ticket, proof of accommodation, bank statement, travel insurance, yellow fever vaccination certificate (required from Nigeria).
• Processing: 3–5 business days online. Arrive with eTA approval confirmation.

🎓 Student / Study Visa

• Must have an admission letter from a Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS)-recognized or accredited institution.
• Top Universities: University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Strathmore University, USIU-Africa, United States International University.
• Requirements: Original admission/acceptance letter, valid passport, passport photos, yellow fever certificate, proof of financial means (KES 100,000+/year equivalent or sponsorship letter), medical certificate, police clearance from home country, academic transcripts (certified copies).
• Apply for a student pass at the Kenya Department of Immigration upon arrival or at the Kenya High Commission in Abuja.
• Student pass issued for 1 year, renewable for duration of program.
• Tuition fees: USD 1,500–6,000/year depending on institution and program. Kenya is one of Africa’s most affordable study destinations for international students.
• Strong programs in: Medicine, Law, Business, IT, Environmental Science, International Relations.

💼 Work Permit

• Foreign nationals require a work permit from the Department of Immigration Services.
• Classes of Work Permits:
  • Class G: Specific employment with a Kenya-registered employer. Most common for professionals.
  • Class I: For religious workers and missionaries.
  • Class M: For approved investors (min. KES 1 million investment).
• Requirements: Job offer/contract, employer’s Certificate of Incorporation, valid passport, passport photos, academic/professional credentials (certified), police clearance, medical certificate, application fee (KES 200,000 for Class G).
• Work permits are valid for 2 years and renewable. Kenya’s immigration portal: https://immigration.ecitizen.go.ke.
• In-demand sectors: Technology (Nairobi is Africa’s tech hub), finance, healthcare, education, NGO/development work, agriculture.

🏠 Special Passes & Investor Residency

• Special Pass: 3-month renewable pass for those awaiting work permit approval. Allows legal stay and limited work.
• Investor Permit (Class M): Invest min. KES 1,000,000 (approx. USD 7,700) in a Kenya-registered business. Valid 2 years, renewable. Pathway to permanent residence.
• Nairobi as Africa’s Tech Hub: Kenya’s Silicon Savannah hosts major tech companies (Google Africa HQ, Microsoft Africa Research Institute, Safaricom M-Pesa ecosystem). Digital nomad community is large and growing.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family / Dependent Pass

• Work permit holders and permanent residents can apply for Dependent Passes for their spouse and children.
• Documents: Sponsor’s work permit, marriage certificate (apostilled), children’s birth certificates, proof of financial means, accommodation proof.

🏛️ Citizenship

• By Birth: Kenya follows jus sanguinis. Children born to at least one Kenyan parent are citizens regardless of birthplace. Children born in Kenya to non-Kenyan parents do not automatically receive citizenship.
• By Marriage: A foreign spouse of a Kenyan citizen may apply for citizenship after 3 years of lawful residence in Kenya following marriage.
• By Naturalization: Requires 7 years of continuous lawful residence. Must be of good character, intend to remain in Kenya, demonstrate knowledge of Kiswahili or a local language, and renounce prior citizenship. Dual citizenship is NOT permitted for naturalized citizens (citizens by birth may hold dual citizenship).
• EAC (East African Community) Passport: Kenya citizens (along with citizens of Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DR Congo) enjoy free movement within EAC member states.

🇳🇬 Nigeria-Specific Notes

• Yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for all travelers from Nigeria to Kenya.
• ECOWAS/AU free movement means Nigerians may enter Kenya without prior visa or eTA — confirm at time of travel.
• Nairobi is increasingly popular among Nigerian entrepreneurs and tech professionals as a business base.

💡 Why Choose Travel Expore Agency?
We assist Nigerian and African applicants with Kenya eTA applications, student passes, work permits, and investment visa guidance.