Menu
Expat.com

documents needed to live in nairobi from uk

Post new topic

keeperimp#

i am planing to move to nairobi  and wondered if there were any documents needed to stay and live there  as i will come with a visa for 90 days   but want to know what documents i need to live there
thank you
robert

Longonot62

Hi, You would be unrealistic if you thought you could arrive in Kenya on a Single Entry Visa and immediately stay on and live there. 

Firstly, the simple stuff  -  you may well, on arrival be granted a 30 day entry permit, which will man that you must visit immigration to extend to 90 days.  At the end of 90 days, you can apply to extend the visa by a further 90 days (total stay 6 months), before having to leave Kenya and East Africa, if you haven't secured a permit by then.

To live in Kenya you must have a permit.  There are a variety of these, depending upon your circumstances.  If you have a source of income of $24,000 per annum and over, the Class K permit is one of the easier ones to apply for, although work is prohibited.  Work permits are arguably tougher to obtain.  Permits generally last for 2 years, at which point you reapply and you can apply for permanent residency after 7 years (three if marred to a Kenyan).  Check the Kenya Immigration website for more details.   Applications can take several months, and work permits (for employees) cannot be applied for within Kenya, so be prepared to leave, before you can return.

As for documents, the usual; birth certificate, driving licence, passport, certified bank statements if making an immediate application for a permit.

When travelling to Kenya, ensure that you buy a return ticket within 90  days of your arrival date, otherwise you may well be declined boarding.

mwaniki fraciah

Dear Keeperimp,

I am not sure i understand the question well but let me try explain with how i understood it.

1. If your plan is to stay for ninety days then you will just need to have your Passport and visitors permit ( you can get it on entry point IE the border or airport) you can also make an application on ecitizen.(note i would recommend you get it on entry point)

2. If you wish to stay longer than 90 days  as Longonot said you will apply for extension which will be allowed for further 90 days after which you will need to exit the country to avoid deportation or future denial of permits to Kenya.

3. If you end up loving the country and want to live here then you will have to as Longonot said again apply for a different class of permit which i wont delve into since they have already been well explained above.

I hope this information assists you.

Regards

KenyaImmigrationLawyer

Short term visas are relatively easy to procure while for long term stay I would recommend that you speak to a professional to advise you on the different available options, processes and cost implications.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Nairobi

  • Marriage in Kenya
    Marriage in Kenya

    If you are planning a marriage in Kenya, the Registrar of Marriages in Nairobi is the best starting point for ...

  • Nairobi Expat Social (NES)
    Nairobi Expat Social (NES)

    Nairobi Expat Social (NES) was set up on 1 Feb 2010 to provide expats living in Kenya with a social network for ...

  • Accommodation in Nairobi
    Accommodation in Nairobi

    Many expats moving to Kenya are likely to find themselves relocating to Nairobi, as it is both the nations capital ...

  • Work in Nairobi
    Work in Nairobi

    Expats hoping to find work in Nairobi will find a diverse city with many opportunities, especially in finance, ...

  • Leisure activities in Kenya
    Leisure activities in Kenya

    New expats to Nairobi will find plenty of things to see and do, from museums, national parks, sporting events, and ...

  • Requirements for Foreigners to Live and Work in Kenya
    Requirements for Foreigners to Live and Work in Kenya

    REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGNERS TO OWN A BUSINESS IN KENYA

  • Moving with your pet to Kenya
    Moving with your pet to Kenya

    Pets are considered an important part of the family, and many expats wish to bring their cat or dog with them when ...

  • Driving in Kenya
    Driving in Kenya

    Expats are legally able to drive in Kenya, but will find many challenges, including high accident rates and road ...

All of Nairobi's guide articles