East African nationals who have moved to Kenya to work, trade or run a business can regularise their stay through a Class R Permit, a special immigration category for citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states.
The permit is particularly relevant to people who operate small businesses, engage in trade, work for organisations or pursue professional activities in Kenya.
The important part for small business owners is the cost: the Class R Permit itself is free.
Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services currently lists both the processing fee and issuance fee for Class R as KSh0 (gratis).
However, obtaining a Class R Permit is not the same thing as completing foreign-national registration. EAC citizens who reside in Kenya for more than 90 days may also be required to obtain a Foreigner Certificate, commonly known as an Alien Card.
This guide explains who qualifies for the Class R Permit, how much it costs, the documents required, how to apply through eFNS, whether you need to visit Nyayo House and what East African traders should know about foreign-national registration.
What is the Class R Permit in Kenya?
The Class R Permit is a Kenyan immigration permit specifically for citizens of East African Community member states.
According to the Directorate of Immigration Services, it is issued to an EAC citizen who intends to reside in Kenya and engage in employment, an activity, business, trade or a prescribed profession, subject to the applicable immigration requirements.
This makes Class R particularly relevant to East Africans who have established themselves economically in Kenya.
It can cover people such as:
Small business owners
Traders
Self-employed EAC nationals
Employees working in Kenya
Professionals
Investors
People undertaking other eligible economic activities
The key point is that Class R is not simply a permit for large investors. The official description expressly includes business and trade.
Which East African nationals can apply for Class R?
Class R is available to citizens of EAC member states.
The EAC Common Market framework is designed to facilitate the movement of people, labour, services and capital between Partner States, as well as rights of establishment and residence.
For someone coming to Kenya from another EAC country, this includes citizens of:
Burundi
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Rwanda
Somalia
South Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda
Kenyan citizens obviously do not need a Kenyan Class R Permit because they are already citizens of Kenya.
Why does an EAC citizen still need a Kenyan permit?
This is an important distinction.
The EAC Common Market provides regional rights relating to movement, employment, establishment and residence. But those rights operate alongside the immigration laws and administrative procedures of individual Partner States. The EAC itself describes the Common Market as providing for free movement while Partner States continue implementing the relevant national procedures.
Kenya therefore has an immigration mechanism specifically for EAC nationals: Class R.
The existence of the EAC Common Market does not mean an EAC citizen can simply ignore Kenya’s immigration formalities.
Is the Class R Permit free?
Yes.
This is one of the most significant features of the Class R category.
The official eFNS Class R information currently lists:
| Class R charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Processing fee | KSh0 |
| Final/issuance fee | KSh0 |
The Directorate of Immigration Services’ 2025 Service Delivery Charter also lists Class R as gratis for both processing and issuance.
Therefore, an eligible EAC national does not pay the ordinary work-permit charges associated with several other foreign-national permit categories.
For comparison, Kenya’s immigration system has a separate Class G category for foreigners intending to engage in specific trade, business or consultancy.
For an EAC national, Class R is the relevant category where the applicant meets its requirements.
Does “free” mean there are no other immigration costs?
No.
This is where many applicants could become confused.
The Class R Permit and foreign-national registration are separate matters.
Kenya’s immigration authorities state that foreigners who reside in Kenya for more than 90 days must be registered.
The registration results in a Foreigner Certificate, commonly referred to as an Alien Card.
There is currently a discrepancy between two official Immigration sources concerning the fee.
The 2025 Directorate of Immigration Services Delivery Charter lists foreign-national registration at KSh5,000 per year.
However, the Directorate’s separate current webpage for the Alien Card says the charge is KSh1,000 per year or part thereof.
Because these are both official government sources, applicants should check the amount generated on the eFNS/eCitizen payment system at the time of application rather than relying on an old fee figure circulating online.
In simple terms
Class R Permit: Free.
Foreign-national registration: Separate requirement for qualifying foreign residents, with the current official Immigration pages displaying different fee figures that should be verified on eFNS before payment.
This distinction is important because an applicant can have a free Class R Permit while still having a separate registration obligation.
Who needs an Alien Card in Kenya?
The eFNS foreign-national registration information states that foreigners resident in Kenya for more than 90 days must be registered.
The registration process requires, among other things:
- A valid passport
- Two recent coloured passport photographs
- A valid permit or pass for a resident foreign national
- An online application
- Biometric capture
The applicant must appear in person when the application is presented.
The Alien Card should therefore be treated as a separate compliance requirement rather than as part of the Class R Permit itself.
What documents do you need for a Class R Permit?
The official eFNS Class R checklist is more specific than many summaries circulating online.
The general requirements include:
1. Completed Form 25
Applicants must complete and sign the online Form 25.
The form is printed after completing the online application.
2. Valid passport
You need a copy of the biographical-data page of your valid passport.
For an EAC national, the passport is also important because it establishes the applicant’s identity and nationality.
3. Two passport photographs
The official checklist requires two recent coloured passport-size photographs for both new and renewal applications.
4. Current immigration status
If you are already in Kenya, the eFNS checklist asks for your current immigration status.
This is particularly important for someone already operating a business or working in Kenya who is now seeking to regularise their status.
5. Cover letter
The application requires a cover letter from the organisation or employer addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services.
For a business owner or self-employed applicant, the letter should clearly explain the activity being undertaken in Kenya and provide the relevant business information.
6. Business registration certificate
The official checklist asks for a certificate of registration of the organisation or business.
This is especially relevant to EAC nationals operating a registered business in Kenya.
7. Academic or professional certificates
Where applicable, applicants may need to provide academic or professional certificates.
People practising regulated professions may also need clearance letters or licences from the relevant professional bodies.
8. Additional documents depending on your activity
The requirements change depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
For example, investors may be required to provide proof of capital investment, while farmers may need proof of land ownership or lease. Investors can also be required to provide a shareholding certificate, such as a CR12.
Do you need a KRA PIN for Class R?
A KRA PIN is not listed as a universal basic Class R requirement on the current official eFNS checklist.
This is an important distinction because some online guides list a KRA PIN as though every Class R applicant must provide one.
The official checklist instead identifies documents according to the applicant’s circumstances, with tax compliance certificates specifically appearing under the renewal requirements.
That does not mean an EAC business owner should ignore Kenyan tax obligations.
A person operating a taxable business in Kenya may have separate obligations to the Kenya Revenue Authority and other government agencies.
But those obligations should not be confused with the basic Class R immigration-document checklist.
Do small traders need a police clearance certificate?
The official Class R information contains a particularly important detail for small traders.
It states that labourers and small-scale traders are required to provide a Kenyan police clearance certificate for renewals.
This means the requirement should not be presented as a blanket statement that every first-time Class R applicant who is a small trader must automatically produce a Kenyan police clearance certificate.
Applicants should check the current requirements displayed by eFNS for their specific application.
How to apply for a Class R Permit in Kenya
The Class R application starts online through the Electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal.
The basic process is:
eCitizen account → eFNS → Apply Now → Permit Issuance/Renewal → Class R → Complete Form 25 → Submit → Print application → Present documents to Immigration
Step 1: Access eFNS through eCitizen
Applicants first need a Government of Kenya Single Sign-On account and then access the eFNS portal.
The official eFNS portal is the Directorate of Immigration Services’ electronic platform for applications for permits, passes, Alien Cards and other foreign-national services.
Step 2: Log into eFNS
After logging in, select Apply Now.
Step 3: Select Permit Issuance/Renewal
Under the applications section, select Permit Issuance/Renewal.
Step 4: Select Class R
Choose the permit category for East African Community (EAC) Nationals.
The official system identifies the category as Class R (KEP/R).
Step 5: Complete Form 25
Enter the required personal, immigration, employment or business information.
Applicants should ensure that names, passport numbers and other information match their official documents.
Step 6: Upload the supporting documents
Provide the documents requested by eFNS based on your circumstances.
These can include:
- Passport
- Passport photographs
- Cover letter
- Business registration documents
- Academic or professional certificates
- Current immigration status
- Relevant licences or clearance documents
Step 7: Submit the application
After completing the form, submit the application through the portal.
An invoice is generated and can be viewed through the eFNS dashboard. For Class R, the official permit information currently lists the processing and final fees as KSh0.
Step 8: Print the application
The process does not necessarily end with the online submission.
The eFNS Class R instructions say applicants should print the application from the My Applications section.
Step 9: Present the application to Immigration
The printed application and required documents must be presented to Immigration.
The official Class R instructions identify Immigration headquarters at Nyayo House and also state that application print-outs can be presented at other regional immigration offices.
This means applicants should not assume that the Class R process can be completed entirely online.
Do you have to go to Nyayo House?
Not necessarily in every case.
The Class R eFNS information says applications can be presented at Immigration headquarters at Nyayo House or other regional offices.
The Directorate of Immigration Services also identifies Nyayo House in Nairobi as one of its principal locations for foreign-national services.
Applicants should therefore check the instructions attached to their particular application before travelling to Nairobi.
How long does a Class R Permit take?
The Directorate of Immigration Services’ 2025 Service Delivery Charter lists 21 working days for work and residence permits, with renewals listed at 10 working days.
However, this should be treated as the published service timeline rather than a guarantee that every application will be completed within exactly 21 working days.
Incomplete applications can be rejected or delayed.
The eFNS Class R information specifically warns that incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Applicants should therefore ensure that their documents are complete before submitting the application.
Can an EAC citizen legally run a business in Kenya under Class R?
Yes, provided the applicant meets the requirements and complies with other Kenyan laws governing the business.
The official Class R description expressly includes business and trade among the activities for which the permit can be issued.
This is particularly significant for small traders who may have assumed that they need the more expensive business permit category used by other foreign nationals.
Kenya’s immigration system separately provides for Class G for foreigners engaging in specific trade, business or consultancy.
But Class R is specifically designed for EAC nationals.
Does Class R automatically give you a business licence?
No.
This is another distinction that applicants should understand.
The Class R Permit deals with immigration status.
It does not automatically replace:
- County business permits
- Tax registration and tax obligations
- Sector-specific licences
- Professional licences
- Public health approvals
- Business registration requirements
- Other permits required for a particular type of business
An EAC national can therefore have a valid Class R Permit and still need to comply with other Kenyan laws governing their business.
What happens if an EAC national works or trades without the required permit?
The official eFNS Class R information states that engaging in business or employment without the requisite permit or pass is an offence.
This is why EAC nationals who have settled in Kenya for work or business should not assume that their EAC citizenship alone eliminates the need to regularise their immigration status.
The regional treaty framework provides important rights, but Kenya’s immigration procedures still apply.
Class R Permit vs Class G Permit
One of the most useful distinctions for foreign business owners is between Class R and Class G.
| Class R | Class G | |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicants | EAC nationals | Other eligible foreign nationals |
| Business/trade | Yes | Yes |
| Employment | Yes | Not its primary purpose |
| Processing fee | KSh0 | Applicable |
| Issuance fee | KSh0 | Applicable |
| EAC-specific | Yes | No |
The Directorate’s official permit information describes Class G as a category for a person intending to engage, alone or in partnership, in a specific trade, business, consultancy or profession.
For an EAC citizen, however, the first question should be whether Class R applies.
What East African small business owners should do
If you are an EAC citizen already living and doing business in Kenya, the practical process is straightforward:
1. Confirm that you are an EAC citizen.
2. Determine whether you are residing in Kenya for more than 90 days.
3. Apply for the Class R Permit through eFNS if you are engaging in business, trade, employment or another qualifying activity.
4. Prepare the documents required for your particular activity.
5. Print the application after submitting it online.
6. Present the printed application and supporting documents to Immigration as instructed.
7. Separately complete foreign-national registration if you are required to register.
8. Keep your immigration, tax, business and county licences up to date.
The important point is that Class R regularises your immigration position; it does not replace every other legal requirement attached to running a business in Kenya.
Why Kenya has a Class R Permit for EAC nationals
The permit fits into the broader regional integration framework created by the EAC Common Market.
The EAC says the Common Market provides for the free movement of people, labour, services and capital, alongside rights of establishment and residence.
The regional framework is intended to make it easier for East Africans to work, invest, establish businesses and move economic resources across Partner States.
Kenya’s Class R Permit provides the national immigration mechanism through which eligible EAC citizens can formalise their residence and economic activities.
The result is a system that combines regional integration rights with national immigration procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Class R Permit Kenya
Is the Class R Permit free in Kenya?
Yes. The current official eFNS information lists the Class R processing fee at KSh0 and the final/issuance fee at KSh0. The Directorate’s 2025 service charter also lists Class R as gratis.
Who qualifies for a Class R Permit?
Citizens of EAC member states who intend to reside in Kenya and engage in employment, business, trade, a prescribed profession or another qualifying activity can apply, subject to the requirements.
Can an EAC citizen use Class R to run a small business in Kenya?
Yes. The official Class R description expressly includes business and trade.
Do I need a KRA PIN to apply for Class R?
A KRA PIN is not listed as a universal basic requirement on the current official Class R checklist. However, business operators may have separate tax obligations in Kenya.
Do small traders need police clearance?
The official eFNS checklist specifically requires Kenyan police clearance for labourers and small-scale traders for renewals. Applicants making a first application should check the current requirements shown by eFNS.
How do I apply for Class R?
Apply through the eFNS portal, select Permit Issuance/Renewal, choose Class R, complete Form 25, submit the application, print the forms and present the required documents to Immigration.
Can I apply for Class R online?
The application begins online, but the official instructions require applicants to present printed application documents and supporting requirements to Immigration headquarters or a regional office.
Do I need to go to Nyayo House?
The official Class R instructions identify Nyayo House as an Immigration submission location but also state that application print-outs can be presented at other regional offices.
Do EAC nationals need an Alien Card in Kenya?
Foreign nationals residing in Kenya for more than 90 days are generally required to register unless an exemption applies. The registration produces a Foreigner Certificate, commonly called an Alien Card.
How much does an Alien Card cost?
There is currently an inconsistency in official Immigration information. The 2025 Immigration Service Delivery Charter lists KSh5,000 per year, while the Directorate’s current Alien Card webpage lists KSh1,000 per year or part thereof. Applicants should verify the applicable amount generated by eFNS before making payment.
Does Class R give me a business licence?
No. It is an immigration permit. You may still need business registration, county permits, tax compliance and sector-specific licences depending on the business.
The bottom line
For an East African national who has moved to Kenya to work, trade or run a business, Class R is the key immigration permit to understand.
It is specifically designed for EAC nationals and covers activities including employment, business and trade. Most importantly, the permit itself currently carries no processing or issuance fee.
The application begins on the eFNS portal, but applicants should be prepared to print their forms and present the required documents to Immigration.
Foreign-national registration is a separate issue for people who reside in Kenya beyond 90 days, and applicants should check the current fee displayed by Immigration because the department’s published sources currently show different charges.
The broader legal framework comes from the EAC Common Market, which provides for free movement of people, labour, services and capital and supports rights of establishment and residence across the region.
For an EAC trader in Kenya, the practical lesson is simple: your EAC citizenship gives you important regional rights, but you should still regularise your immigration status and comply with Kenya’s business, tax and licensing requirements.
Official application portal: Kenya eFNS Portal
Official Class R requirements: eFNS Class R Permit Information
Official EAC Common Market information: EAC Common Market
