Kenya Business / Self-Employment Permit

Who Class G is for

Class G is for a person who intends to engage, alone or in partnership, in a specific trade, business, consultancy or profession in Kenya. The official route names trade, business, consultancy and profession as the activities that qualify. The route is built around an operating business or professional practice. The permit authorises work in the approved business. Applicants provide documentary proof of capital of at least US$100,000. The application also depends on company records that show the ownership and activity of the business.

Capital and company records

The capital proof sits alongside company documents. These include the certificate of incorporation, memorandum of understanding, articles of association, shareholding certificate CR12, PIN certificate for the company and individual, bank statement verification form and proof of offshore transaction receipt. A valid Organization Tax Compliance Certificate is required for new cases. A clearance letter from relevant institutions also forms part of the file. Foreign language documents must be translated into English. Renewal cases add signed current audited accounts for the previous two years and a list of Kenyans already employed.

Documents that shape the file

The file includes Form 25, a detailed cover letter signed by the applicant, passport bio-data copies and two passport size photographs. Applicants already in Kenya provide their current immigration status. Previous permits or passes are copied. Form 27 and Form 27 Report on Employment are also part of the file. A bank statement verification form and proof of offshore transaction receipt support the financial picture. A valid Organization Tax Compliance Certificate and a copy of the checklist complete the set.

Application route

The applicant creates a Government of Kenya Single Sign On account, logs in to the eFNS portal and selects the permit issuance or renewal tab. Form 25 is completed online and an invoice is generated. Payment can be made online. If online payment is not possible, the printed application is presented with all requirements at the Immigration headquarters at Nyayo House. Progress notices arrive by email and through the online account. The eFNS portal holds the application record after login.

Costs

The processing fee is KES 20,000 and is non-refundable. The issuance fee is KES 250,000 and is payable upon approval. The fees are separate, and the processing fee does not cover issuance.

Renewal and compliance

The permit is renewable. A renewal file is submitted with signed current audited accounts for the previous two years and a list of Kenyans already employed. The same translation rule applies to foreign language documents. The permit authorises work in the approved business, and the business records must match the activity described in the application.