Kenya visas

@TheBookWorm: Hi. The eVisa for travel to Kenya is easy enough, if a bit nerve-wracking waiting for it before your plane leaves. I'm married to a Kenyan so I have a dependent visa. Can't work or attend school, including driving school. (I know no one else would probably want to, but I wish I could.)

Of note, I've witnessed Nyayo House to be the most corrupt government office in Kenya. You will be asked for bribes, ranging from 1,,000 ksh (counter clerks) to 10,000 ksh (for tasks like stamping passports after visas are approved). I know someone who had to pay a high official there 150,000 ksh extra for personal service on a unique case.

Also, it takes 2-3 times as long on average from when they say the docs will be ready, but that's true for Kenyan citizens too. Make sure you have originals and extra certified copies of all your US docs!

Even with all the bribes and hassles, I'm enjoying living here. Good luck with your experience!

@harbortheresa Thank you for your response! I'm glad that you are enjoying living there!

I also appreciate your honesty about the corruption and delays so that we know what to expect. Is Nyayo House for the whole country or just Nairobi? We are thinking about Mombasa area.

@TheBookWorm

Nyayo House is for Nairobi area, but I would prepare for all government offices of that level to be the same.

I think its is worth mentioning that the evisa was replaced by the electronic travel authorisation (eTA), quite a few months ago, which requires somewhat less screening.  There are still a number of foreigners who stay in Kenya on serial eTA's/visitors passes, due to the cost and bribes involved in getting the various longer term permits.

There are immigration offices in Mombasa, so no need to travel to Nairobi.  In any case, Nyayo House is arguably the worst immigration office to visit, in terms of access, overcrowding, corruption.  Unfortunately, corruption in immigration has become worse again, the problem being that applicants really want the permit and the immigration officials know it - a situation more than ripe for exploitation.

I have had a Class K.  Bear in mind that work (even unpaid) is not permitted.   Online work with remittances from another country, or monetised content creation is a grey area - the government are quite clear on the sources of income to qualify for a Class K.  Officially you need a minimum $24,000 per annum.

For the Digital Nomad Permit, you need to prove that you have enough funds to reside in Kenya and a letter from your employer (amongst other things).

One thing to bear in mind is the cost of permits.  The Class K costs Kes 500,000 for two years and there will almost certainly be a bribe that is requested which is likely to be Kes 100,000 or more.  Assuming neither of you are Kenyan, you would probably need one each - the Dependent Pass  not apply where neither permit holder is working and earning..............but I am unsure about this and suggest professional advice.

The Digital Nomad Permit is cheaper at $1000 per year.  With this one of you should be eligible for a Dependent Pass, which is the arguably the cheapest to obtain, though work is not permitted for the Dependent Pass holder. 

Further information below.

https://fns.immigration.go.ke/infopack/permits/classN/

https://fns.immigration.go.ke/infopack/permits/classN/

@Longonot62

Thank you for sharing this information! I was wondering what kind of income was accepted for the Class K. I wasn't sure if any outside income from another country (let's say, day trading was acceptable) or if the Digital nomad visa was better for this type of income. I don't mind the Digital nomad visa, but from my understanding, it does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship in the future. We are a family of five - two adults and three small children. Do you have any recommendations for immigration lawyers in Kenya?