Kenya - Apply for a Foreign Nationals Registration Certificate or Alien Card

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Procedure

• Registration of foreign nationals is governed by the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act of Laws of Kenya.
  
• The Law requires that all foreigners resident within Kenya for a period exceeding 90 days be registered.
  
• The Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act defines a foreign national as any person who is not a citizen of Kenya.
  

Apply Online

1. The first step is to register with the Kenya electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal through the following link eFNS Online Platform.
   
2. Click on create account then click on the Create an Account to register.
   
3. You will need to fill in your personal information so to register for an eFNS account For Kenyan citizens, you will need your national ID number while foreigners residing in Kenya will need your foreigner certificate. If you do not have national ID or foreigner certificate, select other and use passport details to register.
   
4. Once you have registered you will then need to login to your eFNS account and under the Submit application tab click on Submit new applications.
   
5. This will direct you to the next page where you should make your next selection. Under the Foreign National Service Section, click on the Apply Now link in the Foreign National Certificate Tab.
   
6. This will direct you to next page; here you should read the instructions carefully; make sure you have all the requirements to make the application and then click on the Apply Now button which will direct you to the online application form.
   
7. Fill in the online application form with all the required details and upload supporting documents. These details include:-
   

   (a) Start by choosing the application type (initial registration, renewal ,duplicate, correction on civil status or other corrections)
   

   (b) Full names
   

   (c) Marital status
   

   (d) Gender
   

   (e) Passport ( number, date of issue, expiry date )
   

   (f) Date and place of birth
   

   (g) Nationality (at birth, present)
   

   (h) Country of residence
   

   (i) Contact information ( phone number, postal address, physical address )
   

   (j) Occupation
   

   (k) Number of years for alien certificate (note: 3 Years should only be for permanent residents)
   

   Then click on proceed
   

8. This will lead you to the next page where you are supposed to upload your passport photo; then click on save button.
   
9. After completing the application form, an invoice will be generated which you can see by clicking on "Dashboard" then "Payments" Tab. If you have already logged in eFNS, you can click here to make a payment.
   
10. Click on the “wallet icon” to make your payment via the provided payment methods.
    
11. Print the payment acknowledgement receipt and the online application form and present them to the Immigration Headquarters Offices in Nyayo House Nairobi or their regional offices.
    

    • Make sure you present all the required documents to the immigration offices.
      

12. At the immigration offices, your application form and required documents will be examined for verification before being approved. After verification your finger print impressions will be taken by an immigration officer to produce the final product, which is a foreign national certificate (Alien Card)
    
13. The issuing of the Foreign National Certificate is usually after two weeks after submission of the application documents to the immigration offices.
    
14. You shall receive automatic notifications via email and on your online account about the progress of your application.
    

Note:

• A foreign national`s registration certificate (Alien Card) issued or renewed will expire within two years of that issue or renewal the certificate.
  
• In the case of permanent residents holders the foreign national certificate (Alien Card) shall be issued for a period not exceeding three years.
  
  

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Required Documents

• A foreign national in Kenya shall produce the following as part of application for a foreign national certificate/alien card:
  

1. A dully filled, signed and stamped online application Form 50. You will print out the form at the end of the application for a foreign certificate (Alien card).
   
2. A copy of a valid passport to establish identity and nationality
   
3. Two recent colour passport size photographs (White background) taken not more than twelve months before date of application
   
4. A resident person will be required to produce the above in addition to a valid permit or pass
   
5. If the application is for a renewal the applicant will required to produce a previous foreign certificate
   
6. For lost alien card, the applicant will be required to produce a valid police abstract as proof of loss
   
   

NB

• All the requirements listed above must accompany the printed online application form during presentation at the Immigration office headquarters at Nyayo House.
  
  

Office Locations & Contacts

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: [email protected]
Website:Ministy of Immigration Contacts

electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS): Link

Eligibility

The following persons are eligible for Foreign National Registration/ an Alien card.

1. Visitors staying beyond 90 days
   
2. Residents on work permit
   
3. Resident dependants
   
4. Students
   
5. Permanent residents
   
   

The following persons are exempted from Foreign National Registration.

1. Serving members of the armed forces
   
2. A public officer and the spouse and children
   
3. A person exempted from the provisions of the Act under section 34(3) of that Act
   
4. A refugee registered under the Refugee Act 2006
   
5. A person who resides in Kenya for a continuous period not exceeding three months and is in possession of a valid visitors pass or other authority under the Act e.g. special pass
   
   

Fees

• Initial registration is Ksh. 2,000
  
• Subsequent renewal is Ksh. 1,000 per year or part thereof
  
• Duplicate or lost foreign national certificate is Ksh. 2,000
  
• Correction of civil status is Free
  
  

Validity

• A Foreign National's Registration Certificate an Alien card is valid for a period not exceeding two (2) years.
  
• In case of a permanent residence permit holder, the Certificate/Alien Card is valid for a period not exceed three (3) years.
  
  

Documents to Use

• Applications are done online though the Kenya electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal
  
  

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• The processing time is 14 days
  

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Instructions

1. Register with the Kenya electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal through the following link eFNS Online Platform.
   
2. Login to your eFNS account and under the Submit application tab click on Submit new applications.
   
3. Under the Foreign National Service Section, click on the Apply Now link in the Foreign National Certificate Tab.
   
4. Read the instructions carefully; make sure you have all the requirements to make the application and then click on the Apply Now button which will direct you to the online application form.
   
5. Fill in the online application form with all the required details and upload supporting documents, then click on save.
   
6. After completing the application form make payment for your application through an invoice which will be generated online. You can see this by clicking on "Dashboard" then on the "Payments" Tab.
   
7. If unable to pay using any of the online modes, print your invoice by clicking on "Dashboard" then "Payments" Tab. Present your application with all the requirements at the Immigration Counter at Nyayo House or other regional offices, Nairobi for payments and processing.
   
8. You shall receive automatic notifications via email and on your online account about the progress of your application.
   
   

Required Information

1. Application type (initial registration, renewal ,duplicate, correction on civil status or other corrections)
   
2. Full names
   
3. Marital status
   
4. Gender
   
5. Passport ( number, date of issue, expiry date )
   
6. Date and place of birth
   
7. Nationality (at birth, present)
   
8. Country of residence
   
9. Contact information ( phone number, postal address, physical address )
   
10. Occupation
    
11. Number of years for alien certificate (note: 3 Years should only be for permanent residents)
    
    

Need for the Document

• This allows foreign residents in Kenya to be registered by the Kenya government.
  
• The Law requires that all foreigners resident within Kenya for a period exceeding 90 days be registered.
  

Information which might help

• Any kind of payment made should be done through the provided online module.
  
• A foreign national’s registration certificate remains the property of the Kenya government. The holder shall surrender it to the nearest immigration officer when s/he ceases to reside in Kenya or to at the port of departure from Kenya.
  
• Engaging in any form of business or employment without a requisite permit or pass is an offence.
  
• The applicant must be present in person when the application is presented at the immigration headquarters or regional offices for registration.
  
• Giving false or misleading information is an offence punishable by law
  
• Any person who contravenes any provision or requirement of an order issued to a foreign national commits an offence and is liable to a fine or imprisonment or both.
  
• Kindly note that penalty in form of arrears will be charged at Kshs.1000 for every year or part thereof for the years not registered since the commencement of the residency.
  
  

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

• Requirements for Issuance of Kenya Pupil’s Pass/Student’s Permit
  
• Checklist of requirements
  
  

Others

• The registration fee is non refundable
  
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  
• Engaging in any form of business or employment without a requisite permit or pass is an offence.
  
• The applicant must be present in person when the application is presented at the immigration headquarters or regional offices for registration.
  
• Giving false or misleading information is an offence punishable by law
  
• Any person who contravenes any provision or requirement of an order issued to a foreign national commits an offence and is liable to a fine, imprisonment or both