Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi during an interview in his office in Nairobi on May 22, 2025.

📋 Breaking It Down

Foreign nationals seeking to regularise their stay in Kenya will be required to provide a range of immigration and supporting documents, with the requirements depending on their status and whether they are employees, traders, professionals, investors or other qualifying residents.

The requirement applies to foreign nationals who have been resident in Kenya for more than 90 days, subject to exemptions under the law. It is separate from the permits required to work, trade, invest or undertake other activities in the country.

Speaking to the Nation , Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi said East African Community nationals seeking to reside, work, trade, invest or undertake other lawful activities in Kenya should apply for the Class R permit.

📌 What You Need to Know

The permit is available to citizens of Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, and carries no processing or issuance fee.

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“We wish to clarify that foreign-national registration is separate from the Class R Permit. Kenyan law requires foreign nationals residing in Kenya for more than 90 days to be registered. This registration process is distinct from the Class R Permit application and should not be confused with a charge for the permit,” he said.

Mr Mudavadi said EAC nationals whose immigration documents need to be regularised should use official government channels and avoid brokers.

“Nobody should be charging an EAC citizen for the Class R Permit. The government has made the permit free. Applicants should use the official eFNS and eCitizen platforms and deal directly with the Directorate of Immigration Services,” he said.

For the Class R permit, applicants are required to provide a valid passport, their current immigration status where applicable, and supporting documents based on the activities they intend to undertake.

📰 Source: Nation Africa