Govt Breaks Down New Work Permits For Foreigners & Amended Fees
He added that the reforms will not only bolster foreign exchange inflows but also solidify Kenya’s standing as a leading international and financial hub.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Tuesday, December 17 published the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Regulations, 2024, which include revised work permit classes and charges for foreigners. This is the latest bid to strengthen current regulations on work permits in the country.
In a special notice, Mudavadi who is also the Prime CS and CS for Foreign Affairs, revealed that the proposed amendments aim to modernize and streamline work permit regulations, advancing national interests through the creation of digital jobs, smoother regional integration, and fairer practices.
He added that the reforms will not only bolster foreign exchange inflows but also solidify Kenya’s standing as a leading international and financial hub.
As a result, the government deleted sections of Class I permits and introduced new changes. Others affected also include classes N, P, Q, and R.
Image of a remote worker and President William Ruto (inset). /BUSINESS DAILY.PCS
"As part of efforts to elevate Kenya’s role as a diplomatic and multilateral centre, the new Class ‘P’ permit has been introduced. This permit will cater to personnel from the United Nations, diplomatic missions, inter-governmental organizations and international NGOs accredited to or operating in hardship regions within neighbouring countries," he announced in part.
"The reforms also include the creation of Class ‘R’, a specialized permit for citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states. This permit simplifies and consolidates access for all categories of EAC nationals whether investors, professionals, skilled and unskilled workers, traders, farmers, or manufacturers without imposing any charges."
Below are the permits and charges:
Class P
The government has introduced Class P permits that will be given to employees of international institutions like the United Nations and diplomatic missions. The new permits will be processed at $200 (Ksh25,852) in addition to an annual fee of $1,000 (Ksh129,260).
"Those eligible for the new Permit (P) will pay a lower fee but to be charged in United States of America dollars. These workers are usually paid in foreign currency and it is an opportunity for the government to earn foreign currency from them," read the statement in part.
Class N
The new class has been introduced for foreigners residing in Kenya and working for overseas companies.
"This permit caters to digital nomads in the following cadres; ICT Professionals, Project Managers, Editors, Graphic designers, online teachers/tutors, Virtual Assistants, Programmers, App. Developers, Customer Service Representatives, Bloggers, Video Editors, software developers, writers, marketers, consultants, and freelance workers," read the statement in part.
"This class of permit is issued to a person whose annual income is USD 24,000 (Ksh3,102,240) down from USD 55,000 (Ksh7,109,300), and is proposed fee is USD1,000 (Ksh129,260) per year."
They will also pay a processing fee of $200.
Class Q
For professionals working for religious or non-profit organisations, they will get a permit at Ksh100,000 per year. A processing fee of Ksh20,000 will also be charged.
Citizens of the East African Community
"This proposed class 'R' work permit intends to consolidate all East African applicants together irrespective of their description - investors, professionals, skilled employees, unskilled employees, traders, farmers, manufacturers," Mudavadi added.
"The key qualification will be proof of citizenship of an East African Community State and they will not be expected to pay anything."
Proof of citizenship from an EAC member state will be the sole requirement, reaffirming the regional right to live, work, and thrive across member nations.
With these progressive reforms, Kenya, according to Mudavadi, continues to champion regional cooperation, economic opportunity, and global engagement, making it a hub where partnerships, talent, and investment can flourish.
