Apply In-Person:
Permanent residency for ex-citizens of Kenya or children of Kenyan Citizens born outside Kenya.
This category is applicable to people who were Kenyan citizens by birth but now have renounced or lost citizenship status or denied the opportunity by their countries of domicile from holding dual citizenship.  The children and spouses of the above-mentioned applicants must also meet the requirements below when applying for permanent residency in Kenya.

1. Write an application letter stating why you should be guaranteed the Kenyan citizenship back. The letter should be addressed to:
   
   • The Director of Immigration Services,
     
   • Nyayo House,
     
   • P.O Box 30395 – 00100
     
   • Nairobi
     
   • Kenya
     
   • The letter head must include a Kenyan physical address, a Kenyan P.O.BOX and a Kenyan phone number.
     
2. Duly Form 23 filled (form 23a- Permanent Residence).This form can be downloaded online from the ministry of immigration website link or obtained in person from the department of immigration offices. A lawyer needs to sign the bottom of the form and stamp with their office stationery.
   
3. A dully filled and signed Kenyan Citizenship Questionnaire of Intending .This form MUST be provided for in duplicate. This form can be downloaded online from the ministry of immigration website link or obtained in person from the department of immigration offices.
   
4. The following documents are to be attached together with the dully filled applications
   1. Certificate of good conduct (original)issued by country of domicile
      
   2. Photocopy of passport (certified)
   3. 2 passport size photographs (not older than 6 months the photographs must be printed on normal thin photographic paper and must not be glazed)
      
   4. Proof of previous Kenya citizenship; Copy of birth certificate/ Identity card/ Passport.
      
   5. Certified copies of the birth certificate ( for children born of Kenyan citizens born outside Kenya)
      
   6. Certified copies of the parents birth certificates/ Kenyan Passports/ Identity Cards( for children born of Kenyan citizens born outside Kenya)
      
5. Processing Fee: KES 10,000 (via Bankers Cheque and addressed to: Principal Secretary Ministry Of Interior And Coordination Of National Government). This is paid at the same time of submission of application.
   
6. Immigration Fee: KES 15,000 (via Bankers Cheque and addressed as above). This is paid after approval of Permanent Residency.
   
   

Permanent residency for an Entry Permit Holder
The applicant must have held an entry permit for at least 7 years
If participant travels out of the country for more than 1 year and/or the applicant’s valid status has been broken for any period of time, the cycle of 7 years is broken and the counting process must start all over again. This procedure applies also to their children and spouse.

1. Write Cover letter to state that you are applying for Permanent Residence as a lawful resident. The letter should be addressed to:
   • The Director of Immigration Services,
     
   • Nyayo House,
     
   • P.O Box 30395 – 00100
     
   • Nairobi,
     
   • Kenya. 
     
   • The letter head must include a Kenyan physical address, a Kenyan P.O.BOX and a Kenyan phone number.
     
2. Duly Form 23 filled (form 23a- Permanent Residence).This form can be downloaded online from the ministry of immigration website link or obtained in person from the department of immigration offices. A lawyer needs to sign the bottom of the form and stamp with their office stationery.
   
3. Form B duly filled and signed (Form B – Questionnaire for PR Work Permit Holders)
   
4. Permanent Residence Status Form filled and signed. This form MUST be provided for in duplicate
   
5. The following documents are to be attached together with the dully filled applications
   1. Certificate of good conduct (original). See below for details on how to obtain your certificate
      
   2. Photocopy of passport (certified)
      
   3. 2 passport size photographs (not older than 6 months, the photographs must be printed on normal thin photographic paper and must not be glazed.
      
   4. Copy of entry permits held for the last 7 years (non-certified is fine)
      
   5. Tax Compliance Certificate or Tax Exemption Certificate (non-certified is fine)
      
6. Processing Fee: KES 10,000 (via Bankers Cheque and addressed to: Principal Secretary Ministry Of Interior And Coordination Of National Government). This is paid at the same time of submission of application
   
7. Immigration Fee: KES 500,000 for a male and 50,000 for a female (via Bankers Cheque and addressed as above). This is paid after approval of Permanent Residency.
   
   

Permanent Residency through Marriage (to a Kenyan Citizen or a Permanent Residence Holder)
The marriage should have being going on for a minimum of 3 years to a Kenyan Citizen/ Permanent Residence Holder

1. Write an Application letter to state that you are applying for Permanent Residence via marriage to a Kenyan Citizen/ Permanent Residence Holder. The letter needs to be addressed to
   
   • The Director of Immigration Services,
   • Nyayo House,
     
   • P.O Box 30395 – 00100
     
   • Nairobi,
     
   • Kenya.
     
   • The letter head must include a Kenyan physical address, a Kenyan P.O.BOX and a Kenyan phone number.
     
2. Duly Form 23 filled (form 23a- Permanent Residence).This form can be downloaded online from the ministry of immigration website link or obtained in person from the department of immigration offices. A lawyer needs to sign the bottom of the form and stamp with their office stationery.
   
3. A Permanent Residence Status Form filled and signed. This form MUST be provided for in-duplicate. This form can be downloaded online from the ministry of immigration website link or obtained in person from the department of immigration offices.
   
4. The following documents are to be attached together with the dully filled applications
   
   1. A copy of the Marriage Certificate ( certified)
   2. copies of birth certificate, passport and Kenyan ID/PR ID of spouse (certified)
      
   3. A Certificate of Good Conduct (original) should be obtained from the CID Department. See below for details on how to obtain your certificate
      
   4. Photocopy of your Passport (certified)
      
   5. 2 Passport size photographs (not older than 6 months, the photographs must be printed on normal thin photographic paper and must not be glazed).
      
   6. Copies of current valid status (dependent pass, etc.). Non-certified is fine.
      
   7. Copy of PIN Registration (non-certified is fine)
      
5. Processing Fee: KES 5,000 (via Bankers Cheque and addressed to: PRINCIPAL SECRETARY MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND COORDINATION OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT). This is paid during submission of application
   
6. Immigration Fee: KES 50,000 for a female and KES 500,000 for a male (via Bankers Cheque and addressed as above). This is paid after approval of Permanent residency.
   
   

Process for Certificate of Good Conduct
Before you can begin on the above process, you have to gain a Certificate of Good Conduct. Below is the process;

1. Write a covering letter explaining the need for the certificate. The letter needs to be addressed to
   
   • The CID Headquarters,
     
   • P.O. Box 30036,
     
   • Nairobi,
     
   • Kenya
     
   • You must allow your finger prints and palm prints to be recorded on a prescribed form of which will be provided for at the CID Headquarters in Nairobi or at the Divisional CID Office in your area of residence if outside of Nairobi.
     
   • A certified clear copy of passport information with documentary proof of residence in Kenya for a minimum of six (6) months (your Pass/Entry Permit in this case). You will also need to bring with you your passport so that they can verify the certified copy
     
   • A fee of KES 1,000 in cash. An official receipt from the cashier at the CID offices will be handed to you.
     

NOTE:

• The applicant’s fingerprints must be recorded on a prescribed form by an authorized person who must enter all the clerical details (done at CID)
  
• The original cash or cheque payment receipt must be attached to the applicant’s fingerprints.
  
• Residents of Nairobi must apply for certificates at CID Headquarters along KIAMBU road. Applicants in other areas must apply at Divisional CID offices.

Requirements for Category A (ex-citizens of Kenya)

• Application letter
  
• Dully filled Form 23Form 23A
  
• Dully filled questionnaire for intending applicants- Category A
  
• Proof of Previous Kenya Citizenship-Copy of birth certificate/ Identity card/or Passport
• Certified copy of the current passport
  
• 2 passport size photos
  
• Police Clearance Certificate issued by country of domicile
  
  

Requirements for Category B (Lawful Residents of Kenya, their spouses and children below 18 years)

• Application letter
  
• Dully filled Form23Form
  
• Dully filled questionnaire for intending applicants- Category B
  
• Dully filled Residence status form
  
• Copy of the Work permit(s)
  
• Copy of the passport
  
• 2 passport size photos
  
• Police Clearance Certificate (Original)
  
  

Requirements for CATEGORY: C (Children of Kenya Citizens born outside Kenya)

• Application letter
  
• Dully filled Form 23Resident
  
• Dully filled questionnaire for intending applicants- Category C
  
• Certified copies of the birth certificate
  
• Certified copies of the parents birth certificates/ Kenya Passport(s)/ Identity Card(s)
  
• Certified copy of the current passport
  
• 2 passport size photos:
  
  

Requirements for CATEGORY: D (Spouses of Kenya Citizens married at least three years)

• Application letter by Kenyan spouse
  
• Dully filled Form 23 Residence
  
• Dully filled Questionnaire for intending applicants- Category D
  
• Dully filled Residence status form
  
• Police Clearance Certificate ( Original)
  
• Demonstrate marriage and family life
  
• Certified copy of the marriage certificate
  
• Copies of either passport/Identity card/ and birth certificate of Kenyan spouse
  
• Copy of passport /birth certificate/ of the foreign spouse
  
• Copies of work permit(s)/dependant pass of spouse if resident in Kenya
  
• 2 passport size photos
  
• A joint sworn Affidavit by the spouses should be attached if marriage was not solemnized in Kenya.

Department of Immigration Services - Head Office
Nyayo house
Passport Section Ground Floor,
Kenyatta Avenue/ Uhuru Highway
P.O. Box 30191, 00100 Nairobi.
Tel: +254-20-2222022, +254-20-2217544,+254-20-2218833
Email: dis@immigration.go.ke
Website:Ministy of Immigration Contacts

• eCitizen -Department of Immigration Services :eCitizen
  

The following persons can by Law apply for Permanent residency in Kenya

• Persons who were citizens by birth but have since renounced or otherwise lost their citizenship status and are precluded by the laws of the countries of their acquired domicile from holding dual citizenship;
  
• Persons who have held work permits for at least seven (7) years and have been continuously resident in Kenya for the three (3) years immediately preceding the making of the application; their children and spouses.
  
• Children of citizens who are born outside Kenya and have acquired citizenship of the domicile; and
  
• The spouses of Kenyan citizens married for at least three (3) years.

Fees for Category A (ex-citizens of Kenya)

• Processing fees KSHS: 10,000.00 (NON REFUNDABLE)
  
• Issuance fees KSHS: 15.000.00 (PAYABLE ONCE UPON APPROVAL)
  
  

Fees for Category B (Lawful Residents of Kenya, their spouses and children below 18 years)

• Processing fees KSHS: 10,000.00 (NON REFUNDABLE)
  
• Issuance fees KSHS: 500,000.00 (PAYABLE ONCE UPON APPROVAL)
  
  

Fess for CATEGORY: C (Children of Kenya Citizens born outside Kenya)

• Processing Fees KSHS: 5,000.00 (NON REFUNDABLE)
  
• Issuance fees KSHS: 5,000.00 (PAYABLE ONCE UPON APPROVAL)
  
  

Fees for CATEGORY: D (Spouses of Kenya Citizens married at least three years)

• Processing fees KSHS: 5,000.00 (NON REFUNDABLE)
  
• Issuance fees KSHS: 50,000.00 (PAYABLE ONCE UPON APPROVAL)
  

The application fee for applications made by East Africans (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) will amount to KES 5,000

Permanent resident status can be lost if the following occurs:

• When a permanent resident fails to comply with Kenyan residency laws, rules and regulations;
  
• When a Kenyan permanent resident acquires Kenya citizenship;
  
• Cancelled upon request by the holder;
  
• If proved that status was issued falsely it can be cancelled;
  
• Upon receiving a removal court order

• Application For Permanent Residence : Form 23
  
• Questionnaire for Permanent residency work Permit holders- Category B:Questionnaire
  
• Permanent Residence Status Form:Residence

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

The Issuance of a Permanent Residence Certificate Fourteen is (14) days after receiving recommendation from the immigration committee;it takes 6 months to 1 year

Kenya - Apply for Permanent Resident Permit - English
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Kenya – Ombi ya Kibali cha Ukazi ya Kudumu - Kiswahili
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1. To make an application to be a Permanent resident in Kenya you shall require the following.

   • Copies of academic qualification certificates and professional certificates.
     
   • Be able to speak in Kiswahili or local dialect.
     
   • Copy of Personal PIN certificate.
     
   • Documented evidence that you have resided in Kenya for not less than 7 years.
     
   • Copy of your valid Permit showing your status of stay in Kenya. Egg. Work permit, Class G permit etc.
     
   • Have adequate knowledge of Kenya and the rights and Duties of a citizen.
     
   • Copy of passport of the applicant.
     
   • Application Form
     

2. After compilation of all the Requirements. The application with all the requirements is made to the Director of Immigration Services Kenya.
   
3. Once the application has been processed and is successful an Approval certificate shall be issued containing the terms of the Residency.

• Name of applicant
  
• Physical and contact address in Kenya
  
• Age, sex and marital status
  
• Nationality of applicant
  
• Details of any other persons included on application (Spouse or dependants, if any)
  
• Certificate of good conduct from the CID Headquarter. ( or from domicile country)
  
• Nature of entry permit
  
• PIN information

Under section 38 of the Act, any person who has qualified for permanent residence status is entitled to, and subject to, the following rights and obligations:

• The right to be issued with a certificate of permanent residence;
  
• The right to enter and remain in Kenya, subject to the provisions of the Act;
  
• The right to be employed in Kenya; has the right to attend educational facilities;
  
• The right to own property legally and to move and settle anywhere in Kenya;
  
• The right to access and enjoy social services and facilities in Kenya;
  
• The obligation to comply with residency obligations as may be prescribed (You will be taxed the same amount as a Kenyan citizen)
  
• Gain exemption from work permits