According to the Kenya Department of immigration, there are four ways to obtain a permanent residence permit, as it is defined in Section 37 of the Kenyan citizenship and Immigration Act:
(Category A) settlements for former Kenyan citizens
(Category B) permanent residence for work permit holders
(Category C) settlements for Children of Kenyan citizens
(Category D) spouses of Kenyan nationals
Kenyan permanent residence through work
Migrants who have had a work permit in Kenya for no less than seven years and have been permanently residing in the country for the past three years can apply for permanent residence (PR). The main applicant's wife and children can also receive PR at the same time. Also there is a states in the immigration guide that «candidates must demonstrate a strong position to make a tangible contribution to the country's socio-economic development, so priority will be given to investors and highly qualified professionals». That’s why there is no guarantee of getting PR in Kenya based on your work experience, but that people who have investment capital and/or experience and high qualifications will have a clear advantage.
To draw up the application for PR based on your work experience, you need to:
Create an account on the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal;
After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the link "Apply Now";
Click on the "Apply" tab and select the tab "permanent residence";
After completing the application form, you will need to make a payment;
After submitting your application, you will receive updates via email and in your account about the progress of your application.
You may also need to complete an interview.
Kenyan permanent residence as a child of a Kenyan citizen
Children of Kenyan citizens who were born outside Kenya can obtain a residence permit. To apply, you will need to create an account on the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal and fill out a PR form for Children of Kenyan citizens. Except completing the form and paying the registration fee, applicants must also provide the following documents:
Application letter;
Printed and duly completed application form for permanent residence (form 23), signed and certified with the seal of the magistrate/commissioner by Oath;
Certified copies of the applicant's birth certificate;
Certified copies of parents' birth certificates/Kenyan passports/identity cards (proof of identity) (proof of Kenyan citizenship);
Certified copy of a valid passport;
Two passport-sized photos;
A copy of the certificate of non-criminal record.
Permanent residence permission in Kenya as the husband / wife of a Kenyan citizen
PR category D is available for foreigners-spouses of Kenyan citizens. To apply, you must have been married to a Kenyan citizen for at least three years. The application is submitted and the fee is paid using an account on the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal.
Kenyan immigration authorities note that applicants must provide the following information in your application:
Application letter written by Kenyan husband / wife;
Printed and duly completed application form for permanent residence (form 23), signed and certified with the seal of the magistrate/commissioner by oath;
Certificate of non-criminal record (original);
Certified copy of the marriage certificate;
Copies of your Kenyan husband/wife's of passport or birth certificate;
Copy of your passport / birth certificate/ your foreign spouse;
Two passport-sized photos (an electronic copy will also be required when applying);
A copy of the current foreign identity card (foreign card).
Obtain citizenship as the wife or husband of a Kenyan citizen
Section 11 of the Kenyan citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011 year provides that a person who has been married to a Kenyan national person for at least seven years is entitled, upon application, in accordance with the established procedure, to be registered as a Kenyan national if:
the marriage was concluded in accordance with the legal system recognized in Kenya, regardless of whether it was celebrated in Kenya or outside Kenya;
the applicant was not declared a prohibited immigrant;
the applicant was not sentenced to imprisonment for three years or more;
the marriage existed at the time of application.
To apply, you need to create an account to log in to the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal. After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the link "Apply Now", click on the tab "Apply", and select the tab "citizenship by marriage". After processing your application, an invoice will be created, which you can view by clicking on the "information panel" and then on the tab "Payments". After paying and submitting all the documents, you will receive automatic notifications by email and to your online account about the progress of your application review.
Obtain citizenship as a widow / widower of a Kenyan citizen
Section 12 (1) of the Kenyan citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011 year provides that a foreigner who was married to a Kenyan national and who, if a citizen hadn’t died, would have had the right to be a registered Kenyan national under Section 11, Also he has the right to be registered as a citizen upon application in accordance with the established procedure.
To apply, you need to create an account to log in to the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal. After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the link "Apply Now", click the tab "Apply", and select the tab "widows/widowers". After processing your application, an invoice will be created, which you can view by clicking on the "information panel" and then on the tab "Payments". After paying and submitting all the documents, you will receive automatic notifications by email and to your online account about the progress of your application review.
Application about registration of a Kenyan citizen from legal residents
Section 13(1) of the Kenyan citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011 year provides that if a person has reached the maturity age and lawfully lived in Kenya for a continuous period of at least seven years, he may, upon application, be registered as a citizen. If that person:
lived in Kenya for seven years;
doesn’t use privileges and immunities according to the privileges and Immunities Act (chapter 179 );
has sufficient knowledge of Kenya, the responsibilities and rights of citizens which is in this law;
understands Swahili or the local dialect and speaks;
wasn’t convicted of committing a crime and was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or more;
convince the Cabinet Secretary that he or she intends to reside in Kenya after registration;
it was determined by objective criteria and justified in writing that he or she has made or is capable of making a significant contribution to progress or advancement in any area of national development in Kenya;
isn’t declared bankrupt.
To apply, you need to create an account to log in to the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal. After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the link "Apply Now", click the tab "Apply", and select the tab legal residence. After processing your application, an invoice will be created, which you can view by clicking on the "information panel" and then on the tab "Payments". After paying and submitting all the documents, you will receive automatic notifications by email and to your online account about the progress of your application review.
How to get Kenyan citizenship for a child
Section 13 (3) of the Kenyan citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011 year provides that a child who was born before one of the parents acquired citizenship, may upon application by one of the parents or legal guardian be registered as a Kenyan national
To do this, you must submit:
A document certifying the Kenyan citizenship of one of the parents;
Child's birth certificate;
Proof of the child's legal residence in Kenya.
Section 14 of the Kenyan citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011 year provides that a child who isn’t a Kenyan citizen but who is adopted by a Kenyan, has the right to be a registered citizen, upon application by an adoptive parent or guardian.
To do this, you must submit:
Document confirming the adoptive parent's Kenyan citizenship;
Valid adoption certificate;
Proof of the child's legal residence in Kenya.
To apply, you need to create an account to log in to the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal. After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the link"Apply Now", go to the tab "Apply", and select the tab "children/adopted children". After processing your application, an invoice will be created, which you can view by clicking on the "information panel" and then on the tab "Payments". After paying and submitting all the documents, you will receive automatic notifications by email and to your online account about the progress of your application review.
How to get Kenyan citizenship for people with disabilities
Section 13 (4) of the Kenyan citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011 year provides that a person with a disability who is dependent on a legal guardian, who is a Kenyan national, upon an application filed on their behalf, in accordance with the established procedure, is registered as a Kenyan national.
To do this, you must submit:
Document confirming the legal guardian of the Kenyan citizenship;
Birth certificate of a person with a disability;
Proof of legal residence of a person with a disability in Kenya.
To apply, you need to create an account to log in to the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal. After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the link "Apply Now", click the tab "Apply", and select the tab "persons with disabilities". After processing your application, an invoice will be created, which you can view by clicking on the "information panel" and then on the tab "Payments". After paying and submitting all the documents, you will receive automatic notifications by email and to your online account about the progress of your application review.
How to obtain Kenyan citizenship for stateless persons
Section 15 of the Kenyan citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011 year provides that a person who doesn’t have a legal requirement for citizenship of any recognized state and resides in Kenya continuously, is considered to have resided lawfully and may, upon application, in due course be registered as a Kenyan national if that person:
Has relevant knowledge of Swahili or the local dialect;
Wasn’t convicted of committing a crime and was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or more;
Intends to continue to reside permanently in Kenya after registration as a citizen or maintain close and permanent ties with Kenya;
Understands the rights and obligations of a citizen.
To apply, you need to create an account to log in to the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal. After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the link "Apply Now", click the tab "Apply", and select the tab "stateless persons". After processing your application, an invoice will be created, which you can view by clicking on the "information panel" and then on the tab "Payments". After paying and submitting all the documents, you will receive automatic notifications by email and to your online account about the progress of your application review.
How can a migrant obtain Kenyan citizenship
Section 16 of the Kenyan citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011 year provides that a person, who has voluntarily migrated to Kenya and has permanently resided in Kenya, is considered to be residing legally and may, upon an application submitted in accordance with the established procedure, be eligible for registration as a Kenyan national if that person:
Doesn’t have a passport or identity document of any other country;
Has relevant knowledge of Swahili or the local dialect;
Wasn’t convicted of committing a crime and was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or more;
Intends to continue to reside permanently in Kenya after registration as a citizen or maintain close and permanent ties with Kenya;
Understands the rights and obligations of a citizen.
To apply, you need to create an account to log in to the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal. After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the link "Apply Now", click the tab "Apply", and select the tab "migrant". After processing your application, an invoice will be created, which you can view by clicking on the "information panel" and then on the tab "Payments". After paying and submitting all the documents, you will receive automatic notifications by email and to your online account about the progress of your application review.
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