Kenya Spouse of a citizen

For the foreign spouse of a Kenyan citizen who depends on the citizen for maintenance. It lets the spouse live in Kenya but does not allow trade or employment. ^{1 2}

What you must show and pay

• A fee of KES 20,000 (≈ $150) · Issuance fee for the dependant's pass of a spouse or child of a Kenyan citizen. ^{1 2}

Requirements

• The applicant is the spouse of a Kenyan citizen. ^{1 2}
• The applicant depends on the Kenyan sponsor for maintenance. ^{1 2}
• Issuance fee of KES 20,000 (≈ $150). ^{1 2}
• Form 28 Dependant Pass online form, signed. ^{1 2}
• Detailed cover letter addressed to the Director of Immigration Services. ^{1 2}
• Valid passport bio-data pages for both the applicant and the dependant. ^{1 2}
• Marriage certificate certified as evidence of the relationship. ^{1 2}
• Proof of sufficient and assured income to sustain the dependant. ^{1 2}
• A sworn affidavit that the dependant cannot support themselves. ¹
• Documents proving the reason for dependency, such as a medical condition, disability or age. ^{1 2}
• Two recent coloured passport-size photographs and a police clearance certificate. ^{1 2}
• The application is made on the eFNS portal after creating a Government of Kenya Single Sign On account. ^{1 2}
• After approval an invoice is generated and paid online or at Nyayo House, Nairobi. ^{1 2}
• The holder may not engage in any trade or employment, for gain or not. ^{1 2}

Stay

• Spouses married to a Kenyan citizen for more than three years can apply for permanent residence (Category D).

Work

It is an offence to engage in any trade or employment, for gain or not, while holding a dependant's pass.

Family

Children of a Kenyan citizen can receive a dependant's pass on the same fee.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Dependant's Pass · Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya · checked 2026-10-12
2. Application for a Dependant Pass (eFNS Information Pack) · Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya · checked 2026-10-12
3. Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 · Kenya Law (National Council for Law Reporting) · checked 2026-10-11
4. Spouse to Kenya Citizen (Category D) · Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya · checked 2026-10-11
5. Directorate of Immigration Services Delivery Charter 2025 · Directorate of Immigration Services, Government of Kenya · checked 2026-10-12
6. The Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations, 2012 (Legal Notice 64 of 2012), consolidated · Kenya Law (National Council for Law Reporting) · checked 2026-10-11