🇰🇪 Africa & other markets

Kenya business pathways

Class G permit for trade, business, or consultancy — documentary capital proof commonly ≥ USD 100,000 via eFNS Immigration (verify fees and checklist).

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Not legal advice

Immigration, tax, and investment rules change. Use this guide to compare pathways, then verify amounts and procedures on official government sites and with qualified counsel. Content reviewed: 2026-08

At a glance

Decision signals for founders and investors considering Kenya.

Primary permit

Class G — trade / business / consultancy

Capital proof

Documentary evidence commonly ≥ USD 100,000

Portal

eFNS — fns.immigration.go.ke

Company docs

Certificate of Incorporation, CR12, KRA PIN, Forms 25 & 27

Common fees cited

KES 20,000 processing + KES 250,000 issuance (verify)

Investment agency

Invest Kenya · company registry via BRS

Which path fits you?

I will trade, consult, or run a business in Kenya

Class G is the immigration route for self-employed / business operators who can evidence capital and benefit to Kenya.

Jump to pathway

I need to register a Kenyan company first

Use BRS / Invest Kenya guidance — incorporation supports Class G but is not a permit by itself.

Jump to pathway

I am using Nairobi as an East Africa hub

Plan Class G + corporate compliance early; regional travel still needs separate entry rules.

Jump to pathway

Visa pathways

Focused on startup, investor, and self-employment routes - not study or tourism visas.

Capital proof · eFNS Immigration

Class G work permit (trade, business, or consultancy)

Kenya’s Class G work permit is intended for foreigners engaging in specific trade, business, or consultancy. Applications are processed through the Directorate of Immigration Services eFNS platform. Official Class G information emphasises documentary proof of capital — commonly cited at a minimum of USD 100,000 — together with Kenyan company evidence such as a Certificate of Incorporation, CR12 (directors/shareholders extract), KRA PIN, Form 25, Form 27, and a cover letter to the Director of Immigration Services. Applicants must show that the activity will be of benefit to Kenya. Fee schedules commonly cited in practitioner and portal materials include a non-refundable processing fee around KES 20,000 plus an issuance fee around KES 250,000 — always verify the live amounts on fns.immigration.go.ke / the official Class G infopack before budgeting, because immigration fees change. Class G is a work/residence permission track; it is not the same as simply registering a company at BRS.

Min. capital

Documentary capital proof commonly ≥ USD 100,000 (verify-on-official-site)

Best for: Pakistani founders and consultants who will actively operate a Kenyan business or consultancy and can document ≥ USD 100,000 capital plus local company filings.

Class G materials and immigration practice commonly require proof of capital of at least USD 100,000. How funds must be evidenced (bank statements, audited accounts, remittances into Kenya, etc.) should be confirmed against the current eFNS Class G checklist. Do not wire funds based solely on agent WhatsApp summaries — verify-on-official-site.

Investment options

  • Trade, business, or consultancy activity under Class G (not a passive property visa)
  • Capital evidenced at the published documentary threshold (commonly ≥ USD 100,000)
  • Kenyan limited company supporting documents (Incorporation, CR12, KRA PIN, Forms 25 & 27)
  • Demonstrate benefit to Kenya in the cover letter and business narrative

Eligibility

  • Fit Class G purpose: specific trade, business, or consultancy
  • Documentary proof of capital meeting the published threshold (commonly ≥ USD 100,000 — verify)
  • Kenyan company pack: Certificate of Incorporation, CR12, KRA PIN, Form 25, Form 27, cover letter to Director of Immigration Services
  • Clearance / character documents and other eFNS uploads as listed on the live checklist
  • Show the venture’s benefit to Kenya

Process timeline

  1. 1

    Incorporate & tax-register in Kenya

    Complete BRS company registration, obtain CR12, KRA PIN, and statutory forms needed for Immigration.

  2. 2

    Assemble capital & benefit evidence

    Bank proofs, investment trail from Pakistan, and a cover letter explaining benefit to Kenya.

  3. 3

    Apply on eFNS

    Create/submit Class G application; pay processing fee (commonly cited KES 20,000 non-refundable — verify).

  4. 4

    Issuance, entry & compliance

    On approval, pay issuance fee (commonly cited KES 250,000 — verify), collect permit, and keep business activity aligned with Class G conditions.

Family

Dependent passes for spouses and children may be available when the principal holds a valid work permit and dependent criteria are met — confirm current dependent categories and fees on eFNS / Immigration guidance.

Work rights

Class G authorises the specific trade, business, or consultancy for which it was granted. Working outside that scope or for unrelated employers can breach conditions — verify the printed/endorsed conditions.

Route to PR

Kenya does not market Class G as an automatic permanent-residence or citizenship product. Longer-term stay depends on renewals and any separate residence/citizenship statutes — verify Immigration for current long-term options.

Route to citizenship

Citizenship by registration or naturalisation is a separate legal process with residence and other criteria. Dual nationality rules involving Pakistan need personal legal advice. Not bundled with Class G approval.

Pros

  • Clear founder/operator-oriented permit category (trade/business/consultancy)
  • Published eFNS digital application channel
  • Nairobi as a practical East Africa services and distribution hub
  • Company registration infrastructure via BRS alongside Invest Kenya facilitation

Watch-outs

  • USD 100,000 capital proof is documentary and scrutinised — paper companies struggle
  • Processing and issuance fees change — verify KES amounts on official eFNS before payment
  • Incomplete CR12 / KRA / Forms 25 & 27 packs cause delays or refusals
  • “Benefit to Kenya” is substantive, not a slogan in the cover letter
  • Tourist entry is not a substitute for Class G if you will operate a business
eFNS — Class G permit infopack
Entity setup · not a work permit

Invest Kenya facilitation & company registration (BRS)

Before or alongside a Class G application, most founders register a Kenyan company through the Business Registration Service (BRS) and engage Invest Kenya (Kenya Investment Authority) for investment facilitation information. Incorporation yields the Certificate of Incorporation and related filings that Immigration expects (including CR12). Invest Kenya helps with investment procedures and aftercare but does not replace Directorate of Immigration Services decisions on Class G. Treat BRS registration as necessary corporate infrastructure — not as permission to live or work in Kenya. Always cross-check sector licensing (e.g. regulated industries) separately from immigration.

Min. capital

No single BRS “visa capital” floor; Class G capital proof is separate (commonly ≥ USD 100,000)

Best for: Founders preparing the corporate paperwork and investment narrative that Class G and banking KYC will demand.

Company registration fees and nominal share capital are distinct from Immigration’s Class G capital evidence. Do not assume a minimum share capital figure equals Class G compliance — verify both BRS and eFNS requirements.

Investment options

  • Register a private limited company via BRS (brs.go.ke)
  • Obtain CR12, KRA PIN, and statutory company forms used in Class G filings
  • Consult Invest Kenya (invest.go.ke) for investment facilitation and incentives information
  • Proceed to Class G on eFNS when the company and capital pack are ready

Eligibility

  • Proposed company name and objects acceptable under Kenyan company law
  • Directors/shareholders documentation (including foreign individual KYC)
  • Tax registration (KRA PIN) after incorporation
  • Sector licences if the activity is regulated — separate from BRS

Process timeline

  1. 1

    Name activity & licensing

    Confirm the business is lawful for foreign participation; check sector permits.

  2. 2

    Register on BRS

    Incorporate, appoint directors, and obtain Certificate of Incorporation + CR12.

  3. 3

    Tax & banking

    Get KRA PIN, open accounts, and stage capital evidence for Immigration.

  4. 4

    File Class G

    Use company pack inside the eFNS Class G application — registration alone is not enough.

Family

Company registration has no family immigration effect. Dependents follow the principal’s Class G or other Immigration status.

Work rights

None from BRS alone. Work/reside only with Class G (or another valid permit/visa).

Route to PR

Not applicable via company registration. Any long-term residence path is through Immigration statutes, not BRS.

Route to citizenship

Not available through incorporation. See Immigration / citizenship law separately.

Pros

  • BRS provides a structured digital company registry
  • Invest Kenya offers official investment guidance for market entry
  • Clean corporate records strengthen Class G and banking outcomes

Watch-outs

  • Incorporation ≠ Class G approval
  • Nominee or shelf-company shortcuts often fail Immigration capital scrutiny
  • Keep beneficial ownership disclosures consistent across BRS, banks, and eFNS
  • Verify all fees on official portals — third-party price lists go stale
Invest Kenya

Compare pathways

Scan capital, innovation requirements, and fit in one table.

Pathway Capital / bar Immigration effect Typical docs Best if you…
Class G permit Proof commonly ≥ USD 100,000 Work/reside for trade/business/consultancy eFNS pack + company forms + cover letter Will operate in Kenya
BRS company registration Company law / share capital (not Class G) None by itself Incorporation, CR12, KRA PIN Need a Kenyan legal entity
Invest Kenya facilitation Project-dependent Advisory / facilitation only Investment project materials Want official investment aftercare info
Tourist / visitor entry N/A Short stay — not for running a business Entry visa / ETA as applicable Only scouting — not operating

Route to PR & citizenship

Kenya separates company registration, work permits (including Class G), long-term residence, and citizenship. Class G is renewable subject to conditions — it is not marketed as an instant PR or passport programme.

Class G renewals

Maintain the underlying business, capital narrative, and Immigration conditions. Renew through eFNS before expiry; assume updated document checklists each cycle.

Dependents

Spouse and children’s status usually follows the principal permit via dependent passes when eligible — verify current Immigration categories and fees.

Permanent residence / citizenship

Any permanent residence or citizenship pathway is separate legislation with its own residence duration and character tests. Confirm on official Immigration sources; do not buy “PR packages” from agents.

Dual nationality

Implications for Pakistani nationality require personal legal advice before any citizenship application abroad.

After you arrive

Operational checklist once the visa is granted.

  1. 1 Collect Class G permit / endorsement as instructed by Immigration and check conditions
  2. 2 Complete KRA, NSSF, and NHIF / SHA employer registrations as applicable
  3. 3 Open Kenyan corporate and personal bank accounts with full source-of-funds KYC
  4. 4 Keep CR12 and beneficial ownership filings up to date after any share changes
  5. 5 Align actual business activity with the Class G purpose statement
  6. 6 Apply for dependent passes promptly if relocating family
  7. 7 Budget Nairobi housing deposits and school fees early if moving with children
  8. 8 Diary permit expiry and start renewal evidence collection 3–4 months ahead

Living costs & runway

Rough monthly estimates for a relocating founder (excluding Class G capital proof or major capex). Nairobi costs vary sharply by neighbourhood and security/compound choices.

Nairobi

USD 1,600 – USD 3,200+ (est.)

  • Housing (1-bed / secure) USD 800 – USD 1,800
  • Food & groceries USD 300 – USD 500
  • Transport / fuel USD 150 – USD 350
  • Utilities & mobile USD 80 – USD 160
  • Misc / coworking USD 120 – USD 280

Mombasa

USD 1,200 – USD 2,400+ (est.)

  • Housing (1-bed) USD 500 – USD 1,200
  • Food & groceries USD 250 – USD 420
  • Transport USD 100 – USD 250
  • Utilities & mobile USD 70 – USD 140
  • Misc / coworking USD 80 – USD 200

Pakistan founder checklist

Practical prep before you book consulate appointments or move capital.

  • Read the official Class G infopack on fns.immigration.go.ke before engaging agents
  • Register the Kenyan company via BRS and obtain Incorporation + CR12 + KRA PIN
  • Prepare Forms 25 & 27 and a cover letter to the Director of Immigration Services
  • Evidence capital commonly ≥ USD 100,000 with a clear Pakistan → Kenya fund trail (verify checklist)
  • Budget processing (~KES 20,000) and issuance (~KES 250,000) fees — verify live eFNS amounts
  • Articulate concrete benefit to Kenya (jobs, skills, exports, services) — not generic claims
  • Use Invest Kenya for investment facilitation info; still file immigration on eFNS
  • Re-verify all fees and document lists on official sites immediately before submission

Official sources

Still building from Pakistan?

Strengthen your local company setup before relocating capital or applying.

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