Kenya Digital Nomad Visa (Class N Permit)

What is the Kenya Digital Nomad Visa?

Kenya has positioned itself as one of Africa's leading destinations for remote workers and digital nomads. The Class N Permit, commonly called the Kenya Digital Nomad Visa, allows foreign nationals who earn their income remotely — through employment, freelancing or an online business — to reside in Kenya legally while working for clients or employers outside the country.

Unlike a work permit, the Class N Permit does not authorise employment with a Kenyan company. It is designed specifically for location-independent professionals who want to base themselves in Kenya, enjoy a favourable climate, lower cost of living and access to East Africa's growing business ecosystem.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Class N Digital Nomad Permit, applicants must demonstrate that they can support themselves and their dependants without taking local employment. The Directorate of Immigration Services typically reviews the following criteria:

• Valid passport with at least 12 months of remaining validity
• Proof of remote work, freelance clients or online business ownership
• Minimum annual income of approximately USD 24,000 (or equivalent)
• Valid international or Kenyan health insurance cover
• Police clearance certificate from your country of origin
• Clear tuberculosis (TB) and yellow-fever medical checks where applicable
• A confirmed residential address in Kenya
• No intention to take up local employment in Kenya

The Application Process via eFNS

All Class N applications are submitted through the Electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal. Herufi Figures manages the entire process, from eligibility review to permit endorsement.

1. 1. Eligibility check

   We confirm your income sources, contract evidence and remote-work status meet the Class N criteria.
2. 2. Document compilation

   We prepare your passport copies, proof of income, bank statements, insurance, police clearance and medical certificates.
3. 3. eFNS portal filing

   We create or manage your eFNS account, complete the Class N form, upload the document bundle and pay the government fee.
4. 4. Processing & follow-up

   We monitor the application at the Directorate of Immigration Services and respond to any queries or requests for additional documents.
5. 5. Permit endorsement

   Upon approval, we assist with passport endorsement and, if required, Alien ID registration.

Costs and Fees

Government fees are set by the Directorate of Immigration Services and are subject to change. The following estimates cover the typical outlay for a single applicant in 2026:

* All figures are estimates for planning purposes. We confirm the latest fee schedule with the Directorate before filing.

Benefits of the Digital Nomad Visa

How Long It Takes

Once a complete application is filed on the eFNS portal, the Directorate of Immigration Services usually takes 30–60 working days to process a Class N Permit. Delays are most often caused by incomplete documents, additional medical requirements or high seasonal volumes. We recommend starting the process at least 90 days before your intended move date.

Frequently Asked Questions