Kenya
KENKenya is East Africa's leading economic hub and the heart of the so-called Silicon Savannah, with Nairobi emerging as a major technology and startup ecosystem on the continent. The country has permitted dual citizenship since the 2010 constitution and serves as the regional headquarters for hundreds of multinational organisations, making it an increasingly relevant destination for internationally mobile professionals.
- Naturalisation
- 7 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Kenyan Shilling (KES)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Nairobi
- Region
- africa
- Population
- 55,000,000
- Cost-of-living
- 31 /100
Passport Rank
#75
Visa-Free
65
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Kenya passport has visa-free access to 65 destinations. See the full Kenya passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Kenya without a prior visa (194)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Kenya
Current IRCC processing times for Kenya nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 125 days |
| Super visa | 123 days |
| Study permit | 5 weeks |
| Work permit | 5 weeks |
| Sponsor a dependent child | 17 months |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | 19 months |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: 26 months / refugee: 16 months |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-10-07 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Nairobi
- Currency
- Kenyan Shilling (KES)
- Languages
- Swahili, English
- Population
- 55,000,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 7 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Tropical / Semi-arid
- English Proficiency Rank
- #32
- GDP per capita
- $2,363
- Life expectancy
- 63.83 yrs
- Population growth
- 1.93%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
31
Safety
42
Healthcare
48
Quality of Life
128
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 7 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | $560 | $320 | $260 | $70 | $22 |
| Mombasa | $380 | $220 | $240 | $65 | $18 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Nairobi
Rainfall range: 20–195 mm/month · Daylight 12h (winter) to 12h (summer)
Mombasa
Rainfall range: 15–320 mm/month · Daylight 12h (winter) to 12h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- ETA - Electronic Travel Authorization
- Tourist Visa
- Work Permit Class A (Prospecting)
- Work Permit Class B (Agriculture/Fishing)
- Work Permit Class D (Specific Employment)
- Work Permit Class G (Investor)
- Work Permit Class I (Religious Ministry)
- Work Permit Class M (Cabinet Secretary Discretion)
- Student Class F Visa
- Retiree Class K Visa
- Permanent Residence
- Family/Dependant Visa
- Authority
- Department of Immigration Services
- Official Portal
- www.immigration.go.ke
- Phone
- +254 20 222 2022
- info@immigration.go.ke
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 7
- Language Test
- Yes (English and/or Swahili (Kiswahili) — both are official languages; no separate formal test beyond application documents)
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $250
- Processing
- ~18 months
Real Estate
- Avg price/sqm (capital)
- $1,100
- Transaction taxes
- 4%
Foreign buyers: Foreign nationals may purchase property in Kenya; freehold and leasehold titles are available. Non-citizens may hold leasehold of up to 99 years under the Land Registration Act 2012 (foreigners may not hold freehold). Nairobi Westlands, Lavington, Karen, and Kilimani KES 120,000-200,000/sqm ($800-1,400). Stamp duty 4% of market value. Upper Hill commercial district premiums can reach $2,000/sqm. Nairobi is the startup and NGO hub of East Africa with high demand from international organisations. M-Pesa mobile money dominates financial transactions.
International Schools
← scroll the table →
| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International School of Kenya | Nairobi | IB + US | $16,000–$28,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
25 Mbps median
25% fibre coverage
eSIM: Safaricom, Airtel Kenya, Telkom Kenya
Driving
IDP required
Local licence required after 3 months
Exchange eligible: Drives on the LEFT. IDP valid for 90 days for foreign visitors. Expatriate residents must obtain Kenyan driving licence from NTSA (National Transport and Safety Authority). Exchange agreements with East African Community member states and some Commonwealth countries available. Others must pass the Kenyan driving test.
Pet Relocation
Quarantine: none
Rabies titre required
EU pet passport: not accepted
Safety
GPI Rank
#131
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠matatu (minibus) fare overcharging in Nairobi
- ⚠"charity" scams near tourist sites and UN compound areas targeting NGO workers
- ⚠ATM card skimming in Nairobi CBD — use bank-branch ATMs only
- ⚠taxi overcharging from JKIA — use Uber, Bolt, or Little Cab apps
Examples of areas to avoid: Eastleigh (Nairobi) — elevated crime, especially at night, Kibera informal settlement after dark, Nairobi CBD certain streets late at night, Mombasa Old Town after midnight
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Not recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- No
- ILGA Rank
- #147
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Widely available
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Common
Sample Citizenship Test Questions
Q1. Kenya gained independence from Britain in which year?
Answer: 1963
Source: Department of Immigration — Kenyan Citizenship
Q2. What is the name of Kenya's mobile money system that has become a model for financial inclusion globally?
Answer: M-Pesa
Source: Department of Immigration — Kenyan Citizenship
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Kenya, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Law Society of Kenya
LSKStatutory bar association; membership is mandatory to practise as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Kenya, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Residence
Class K Permit (Ordinary Residents)
ResidenceResidence permit for a foreign national aged 35 or over with an assured income from sources outside Kenya, who undertakes not to take up employment.
Permanent Residence
ResidencePermanent residence in Kenya under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, including a route after long lawful residence on work permits.
Short-term / business
Special Pass
Short-term / businessShort-term pass allowing a foreign national to conduct business, trade or a profession in Kenya temporarily, for up to six months.
Work (sponsored)
Class D Work Permit (Employment)
Work (sponsored)Employer-sponsored work permit for a foreign national offered specific employment by a specific Kenyan employer, where the skills are not available locally.
Family
Dependant's Pass
FamilyPass for a dependant of a Kenyan citizen, a work-permit holder, a permanent resident or an exempted person.
Study
Student's Pass
StudyPass for a foreign national admitted to an academic or training institution in Kenya.
Investor
Class A Work Permit (Prospecting and Mining)
InvestorWork permit for a foreign national engaging, alone or in partnership, in prospecting for minerals or mining in Kenya.
Entrepreneur
Class G Work Permit (Trade, Business or Consultancy)
EntrepreneurWork permit for a foreign national investing in and running a specific trade, business, consultancy or profession in Kenya.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-10-15. Each route links to its official government source.
Sources & last verified
- Last verified