Updated 14 November 2026
A Kenya special pass is an authorisation for a foreigner who wants to enter and remain in Kenya for a period not exceeding six months, to conduct business, trade or a profession temporarily. The Directorate of Immigration Services charges USD 200 per month on approval for non-East Africans, and nothing (gratis) for East African Community member-state applicants. The 2025 Service Delivery Charter gives a timeline of 7 working days. It is a different product from a visitor’s pass extension, which the same charter prices at USD 50 with a 2-day timeline.
Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official Kenya special pass page on immigration.go.ke and the Directorate of Immigration Services Service Delivery Charter 2025. Apply only on the official eFNS portal at fns.immigration.go.ke. Fees and rules can change; confirm on those pages before you pay. This is not immigration legal advice.
On this page
In this guide
What a Kenya special pass is for
The official Kenya special pass page describes it as authorisation issued to a foreigner who wishes to enter and remain in Kenya for a period not exceeding 6 months, for the purpose of temporarily conducting business, trade, or profession. A Kenya special pass is a short, defined stay for temporary work or business, not a substitute for a multi-year residence permit and not a tourist visa. If you are only visiting, start with the Kenya eTA, which the 2025 charter lists at USD 30 for the standard eTA with a 3-day timeline, applied for on etakenya.go.ke.
Fees and processing time
| Product | Official fee | Charter timeline | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya special pass | USD 200 per month on approval (EAC member states: gratis) | 7 working days | fns.immigration.go.ke |
| Extension of a visitor’s pass | USD 50 | 2 days (present the passport for endorsement) | fns.immigration.go.ke |
| Standard eTA | USD 30 | 3 days | etakenya.go.ke |
The USD 200 is “per month upon approval”, so a three-month special pass is priced by the month, not as a single flat fee. EAC applicants are gratis on the official page and in the charter. The 7 working days figure is a service-charter target.
Documents the Directorate asks for
The official Kenya special pass page lists:
- application Form 32, duly filled, signed and stamped by the organisation;
- a detailed cover letter from the applicant or organisation, addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services;
- a current passport-size colour photo, uploaded;
- current immigration status, if the applicant is already in Kenya;
- a copy of a valid national passport (bio-data page);
- a copy of the organisation’s registration certificate, for example a certificate of incorporation;
- certified copies of the applicant’s academic and professional certificates;
- a copy of any permit or pass previously held;
- a copy of any official receipt or acknowledgement if you are waiting for a permit to be processed;
- an original clearance letter, where applicable, from the relevant regulatory body;
- a copy of a curriculum vitae.
The page says documents in a foreign language should be translated into English by the embassy, a public notary, or an authorised or recognised institution.
How to apply on eFNS
Both the special pass page and the 2025 charter point you to the official portal at fns.immigration.go.ke. Create an account, complete the Kenya special pass application (Form 32), upload the documents, and follow the payment instructions the portal gives you after approval for the monthly fee. Present whatever print-out or passport endorsement the Directorate asks for. Do not use a third-party site that only forwards the same form at a mark-up.
The USD 50 visitor’s pass extension
If you are already in Kenya as a visitor and only need a short extension, the charter’s separate item is “Extension of Visitors Pass – Online”: apply online, present the passport for endorsement, fee USD 50, timeline 2 days, on fns.immigration.go.ke. That is not a Kenya special pass. A special pass is for temporary business, trade or profession for up to six months, at USD 200 a month. Pick the product that matches what you are actually doing. Using the wrong pass can waste the fee and the processing time.
When you need a work permit instead
If you will be employed in Kenya, run a business for the long term, or live in Kenya on foreign income, a work or residence permit is the correct route.
The 2025 charter prices a new work or residence permit at a KSh 20,000 processing fee for most classes (KSh 5,000 for Class I; Classes M and R gratis).
Issuance fees are KSh 500,000 a year for Classes A and D, and KSh 250,000 a year for Classes B, C, F, G and K. The target is 21 working days for a new permit and 10 working days for a renewal. EAC members, refugees and diplomats are gratis.
Our guides to Kenya work permit classes and to Kenya work permit fees set those classes out in full.
The official Kenya special pass page also notes that a Kenya special pass can be used while you are waiting for a permit, if you hold an official receipt or acknowledgement of that application.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay on a Kenya special pass?
The official page says a period not exceeding 6 months, for temporarily conducting business, trade or a profession.
How much is a Kenya special pass?
USD 200 per month upon approval for non-East Africans, and gratis for East African Community member-state applicants, according to the official page and the 2025 Service Delivery Charter. The charter timeline is 7 working days.
Is the special pass the same as extending a visitor’s pass?
No. A visitor’s pass extension is a separate charter item at USD 50, with a 2-day timeline, and you must present the passport for endorsement.
Can I work for a Kenyan employer on a special pass alone?
The official description is temporary business, trade or profession for up to six months. Ongoing employment with a Kenyan employer is what Class D is for. If in doubt, read the work-permit class pages and ask the Directorate before you start work.
Related: Kenya eTA 2026: requirements, cost and how to apply
Related: How to apply for a Kenyan work permit in 2026
Related: Kenya work permit fees 2026
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