Pursuant to Legal Notice number 198 published on 16th December, 2024, Kenya has introduced new classes of work permits for East African Community Citizens professionals doing work for charitable or religious organizations, staff of the United Nations and Diplomatic  missions.

Below is a summary of the new work permits in Kenya:

1. CLASS I PERMIT: Approved Religious Activities: This permit is issued to a person(s) who is a member of registered institution under the Society’s Act and is engaged as a missionary and whose activities are involved in preaching and the conduct of religious worship and rituals whose presence will benefit Kenya. It is important to note that previously, Class I work permits were applicable to both approved religious or charitable activities, however the government has currently made it applicable to approved religious activities and persons who engage in missionary and activities that directly involves preaching or conduct of religious worship and rituals only. The processing fee is Gratis and the Issuance fee is Kenya Shillings Twenty Thousand (Kshs. 20,000/=) only.
2. CLASS N PERMIT: Digital Nomad: This permit is issued to a person who is in Kenya but is undertaking work remotely for Companies outside Kenya. The processing fee for this permit is USD.200 and issuance fee is USD 1000 per year.
3. CLASS P PERMIT: This permit is issued to staff of the United Nations, Diplomatic Missions, Intergovernmental Organizations or International non-governmental organizations accredited to neighboring hardship countries and staff based in hardship neighboring countries of such organizations. The processing fee for this permit is USD.200 and issuance fee is USD 1000 per year.
4. CLASS Q PERMIT: This permit is applicable to professionals working for religious or charitable organizations. The said professionals ought not be involved in preaching or conduct of religious worship and rituals and whose presence will be of benefit to Kenya.The processing fees is Kshs.20,000/= and Issuance fees is Kshs.100,000/=.
5. CLASS R PERMIT: East African Community (EAC) Nationals: This permit is issued to a person who is a citizen of a Member State of the East African Community and is not a Prohibited Immigrant and who intends to reside, engage in employment, activity, business, trade or engage in any prescribed profession and whose presence will be of benefit to Kenya. The requirement under this permit is proof of citizenship of EAC member state and no processing or issuance fee is applicable.