--- title: "Moving to Kenya 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Three giraffes and acacias on the plains of the Maasai Mara # Moving to Kenya 16 ways to move to Kenya in our guide: 1 nomad / remote-work visa, 3 investor routes, 1 pay-to-stay route, 2 business / startup routes, 6 work visas, 1 student visa, 2 spouse visas. Remote workers: [Class N · Digital nomad](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-n-digital-nomad/), $55k+ a year. Smallest investment: [Class A · Mining](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-a-mining/), $100k+. Tax for newcomers: [Kenya: income tax on income accrued in or derived from Kenya](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/tax/), 35% tax. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Nomad visa: income needed:** **$55k+ a year** Class N · Digital nomad **Smallest investment needed:** **$100k+** Class A · Mining **Longest first stay:** **5 years** Class K · Ordinary resident **Tax angle:** **35% tax** Kenya: income tax on income accrued in or derived from Kenya Kenya offers a range of permits for people who want to live, work, or invest. The right route depends on your situation: remote worker, professional, business owner, or employee. Remote workers employed by a foreign company Professionals in a prescribed field Entrepreneurs and investors Employees with a specific job offer East African Community nationals ## Nomad / Remote work · 1 ### [Class N · Digital nomad](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-n-digital-nomad/) **Income needed:** $55k+ a year Stay 2 yrs, renewable Can work: limited Needs a place to live [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-n-digital-nomad/) ## Investing · 3 ### [Class A · Mining](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-a-mining/) **Investment needed:** $100k+ Stay 5 yrs, renewable [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-a-mining/) ### [Class B · Farming](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-b-agriculture/) **Investment needed:** $100k+ Stay 5 yrs, renewable [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-b-agriculture/) ### [Class F · Manufacturing](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-f-manufacturing/) **Investment needed:** $100k+ Stay 5 yrs, renewable [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-f-manufacturing/) ## Retire or live on savings · 1 ### [Class K · Ordinary resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-k-ordinary-resident/) **Income needed:** $24k+ a year Stay 5 yrs, renewable Can't work Retirement [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-k-ordinary-resident/) ## Business / Startup · 2 ### [Class C · Prescribed profession](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-c-prescribed-profession/) **First stay:** 5 yrs [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-c-prescribed-profession/) ### [Class G · Business](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-g-business/) **Investment needed:** $100k+ Stay 5 yrs, renewable [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-g-business/) ## Work · 6 - [Class D · Employment **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-d-employment/) - [Class I · Religious work **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-i-religious/) - [Class P · International staff **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-p-international-staff/) - [Class Q · Faith/charity staff **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-q-religious-professionals/) - [Class R · EAC nationals **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-r-eac-nationals/) - [Internship / research pass **First stay:** 1 yr](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/internship-research-pass/) ## Student · 1 ### [Student pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/student-pass/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/student-pass/) ## Spouse visas · 2 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/spouse-of-citizen/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/spouse-of-citizen/) ### [Spouse of a permanent resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) **Free movement and visa-free stays · 2** - **[East African free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/free-movement-eac/)** · Lets you live here Open to 6 passports: [Burundi](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/burundi/), [Democratic Republic of the Congo](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/), [Rwanda](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/rwanda/), [South Sudan](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/south-sudan/), [Uganda](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/uganda/), [United Republic of Tanzania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/united-republic-of-tanzania/). - **[Visa-free stay (6 months)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/visa-free-180d/)** · Up to 6 months without a visa Open to 6 passports: [Burundi](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/burundi/), [Democratic Republic of the Congo](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/), [Rwanda](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/rwanda/), [South Sudan](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/south-sudan/), [Uganda](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/uganda/), [United Republic of Tanzania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/united-republic-of-tanzania/). [Where each passport can live without a visa →](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/) ## Tax Kenya taxes income that accrued in or was derived from Kenya, for both residents and non-residents. Income arising wholly outside Kenya is generally outside that charge, except employment or service pay to a resident, which is deemed Kenyan-source wherever the work is done. Residency depends on having a permanent home in Kenya or meeting day-count tests. Standard rules ### [Kenya individual income tax bands (PAYE)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/tax/#tax-ke-individual-paye-rates) **Details** - On: Taxable employment income (cash pay plus non-cash benefits above KES 5,000 (≈ $39) a month) - Who: Employers register for PAYE and deduct tax from emoluments - Limit: KES 288k/yr ≈ $2,220 Employment income is taxed in five bands from 10 percent to 35 percent; PAYE applies to residents and non-residents, and the personal relief of KES 28,800 (≈ $220) a year is granted to resident individuals only. #### Taxed on Taxable employment income (cash pay plus non-cash benefits above KES 5,000 (≈ $39) a month) #### Who it applies to - Employers register for PAYE and deduct tax from emoluments. #### Limits - KES 288,000 a year (≈ $2,220) · First band taxed at 10 percent; next KES 100,000 (≈ $770) at 25 percent; next KES 5,612,000 (≈ $43,300) at 30 percent; next KES 3,600,000 (≈ $27,800) at 32.5 percent; above KES 9,600,000 (≈ $74,000) at 35 percent. - KES 28,800 a year (≈ $220) · Personal tax relief. #### Visas Tax is separate from the permit class. #### Other taxes Capital gains tax is 15 percent of the net gain on transfer of property in Kenya, a final tax (gains on Kenyan immovable property, and foreign-entity shares deriving more than 20 percent of value from Kenyan immovable property from 1 July 2023). Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026, some details partly verified [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/tax/) Standard rules ### [Kenya: income tax on income accrued in or derived from Kenya; 10-35% bands](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/tax/#tax-ke-source-based-income-tax) 35% tax Foreign-source income: Territorial **Details** - On: Income accrued in or derived from Kenya (Income Tax Act s.3) - Limit: KES 288k/yr ≈ $2,220 Kenya charges income tax on all income, of residents and non-residents, that accrued in or was derived from Kenya, at progressive rates from 10% to 35%; income arising wholly outside Kenya is outside that charge, except employment or service pay to a resident, which is deemed Kenyan-source wherever the work is done. #### Taxed on Income accrued in or derived from Kenya (Income Tax Act s.3), including amounts paid to a resident person for employment or services rendered in Kenya or outside Kenya (deeming provision). Bands from 1 July 2023: 10% on the first KES 288,000 (≈ $2,220) a year (KES 24,000 (≈ $190) a month), 25% on the next KES 100,000, (≈ $770) 30% on the next KES 5,612,000, (≈ $43,300) 32.5% on the next KES 3,600,000, (≈ $27,800) 35% on income above KES 9,600,000 (≈ $74,000). #### Who it applies to - Resident individuals receive a personal relief of KES 28,800 (≈ $220) a year (KES 2,400 (≈ $19) a month) and an insurance relief of 15% of premiums up to KES 60,000 (≈ $460) a year; non-residents get no personal relief. #### Exclusions - Non-residents are taxed on employment income paid by a Kenyan-resident employer or a Kenyan permanent establishment. #### Limits - KES 288,000 a year (≈ $2,220) · Upper limit of the 10% band (KES 24,000 (≈ $190) monthly). - KES 9,600,000 a year (≈ $74,000) · Income above this amount is taxed at 35%. #### Days in the country - At least 183 days in year of income · Individual with no permanent home in Kenya is resident if present 183 days or more in the year of income. - More than 122 days in year of income and each of the two preceding years (average) · Alternative test for an individual with no permanent home in Kenya: present in the year and averaging more than 122 days per year over the three years. #### Tax residence An individual with a permanent home in Kenya who was present for any period in the year of income is resident; otherwise the 183-day or 122-day-average tests apply. #### Visas Residence or work permits do not set tax residence; the permanent-home and presence tests in the Income Tax Act do. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/tax/) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **Switch to later · 1** Spouse visas ### [PR via marriage](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/spouse-of-citizen-permanent-residence/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/spouse-of-citizen-permanent-residence/) **Path to permanent residence · 1** - **PR after 7 years** · Permanent residence — long-term work permit holders (Category B) ## Arriving in Kenya: first steps 1. Arrange health cover for yourself and any dependants. 2. Secure proof of accommodation, such as a lease or letter from your host. 3. Obtain a police clearance certificate from your home country. 4. For some permits, get a letter of no objection from your home-country embassy. 5. Open a Kenyan bank account if you will need to manage funds locally. 6. Register with the relevant professional body if you are in a prescribed profession. ## Questions people ask ### What is the Kenya digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026? Kenya has 1 nomad or remote-work visa. [Class N · Digital nomad](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-n-digital-nomad/) asks for an income of at least $55,000 a year and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### How much do you need to invest for residency in Kenya? Kenya has 3 investor routes. [Class A · Mining](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-a-mining/) asks for an investment of at least $100,000 and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. [Class B · Farming](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-b-agriculture/) asks for an investment of at least $100,000 and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. [Class F · Manufacturing](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-f-manufacturing/) asks for an investment of at least $100,000 and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. ### Can I retire or live in Kenya on my savings or pension? Kenya has 1 retirement or pay-to-stay route. [Class K · Ordinary resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-k-ordinary-resident/) asks for an income of at least $24,000 a year and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. ### Can I move to Kenya by starting a business? Kenya has 2 business or startup routes. [Class C · Prescribed profession](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-c-prescribed-profession/) gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. [Class G · Business](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-g-business/) asks for an investment of at least $100,000 and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. ### What work visas does Kenya offer foreigners? Kenya has 6 work visas. [Class D · Employment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-d-employment/) gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. [Class I · Religious work](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-i-religious/) gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. [Class P · International staff](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/class-p-international-staff/) gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. ### How do I get a student visa for Kenya? Kenya has 1 student visa. It is [Student pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/student-pass/). ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Kenya? Yes. Kenya has 2 spouse visas. There is also [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/spouse-of-citizen/) and [Spouse of a permanent resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kenya/spouse-of-permanent-resident/). ## Compare with [🇲🇦 Morocco](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/morocco/) [🇿🇦 South Africa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-africa/) [🇲🇺 Mauritius](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/mauritius/) [🇨🇻 Cabo Verde](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cabo-verde/) [🇳🇬 Nigeria](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/nigeria/) [🇷🇼 Rwanda](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/rwanda/) [🇬🇭 Ghana](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ghana/) [🇸🇨 Seychelles](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/seychelles/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.