Updated 1 November 2026
A tour guide licence Kenya guides need comes from the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA). Under Legal Notice No. 200 of 2025, a citizen tour leader or guide pays a KSh 500 application fee and KSh 3,000 a year (Class E). A non-citizen tour leader or guide pays US$100 to apply and US$200 a year (Class D). You need your national ID, a certificate of good conduct, a KRA PIN and professional guiding certificates, and the licence expires every 31 December. Tour vehicles also need a guide licence copy before TRA issues their stickers, so operators will ask for yours.
Updated 1 November 2026 from Legal Notice No. 200 of 2025 and TRA’s Class E requirements page.
Tour guide licence Kenya fees
| Guide | Application fee | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| Citizen tour leader or guide (Class E) | KSh 500 | KSh 3,000 |
| Non-citizen tour leader or guide (Class D) | US$100 | US$200 |
| Professional safari photographer, citizen | KSh 500 | KSh 3,000 |
| Professional safari photographer, non-citizen | US$100 | US$200 |
EAC citizens are treated as Kenyan citizens under the regulations. Source: Legal Notice No. 200 of 2025, First Schedule (d) and (e).
Requirements for a citizen tour guide licence (E05)
- Copy of your national ID
- Certificate of good conduct (see how to apply for a certificate of good conduct)
- KRA PIN
- Professional certificates in tour guiding
Source: TRA Class E licensing page, checked 1 November 2026.
TRA does not list one mandatory course on that page. Training providers include the Kenya Utalii College and other tourism colleges; driver-guides are also commonly assessed by the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association (KPSGA) bronze, silver and gold levels, which many operators ask for. Confirm with TRA which certificates it accepts for your type of guiding.
How to apply for a tour guide licence in Kenya
- Get your documents ready: ID, good conduct certificate, KRA PIN and training certificates (scanned as PDFs).
- Register on TRA’s workforce or TRIMS portal (trims.tourismauthority.go.ke) and choose the citizen tour leader or guide category.
- Pay KSh 500 as the application fee.
- Wait for vetting; TRA may verify your certificates and association membership.
- Pay KSh 3,000 for the year and download your licence.
- Carry it at work. Licensed operators are barred from enlisting unlicensed services, so they will check.
Why operators need your licence
Under regulation 25 of the 2025 rules, an operator applying for or renewing a Tourist Service Vehicle Sticker must attach a copy of a tour guide licence issued under the Tourism Act. The sticker costs KSh 1,000 a year per local vehicle. Without licensed guides, a tour company cannot keep its vans legal. Our tour operator licence guide explains the company side.
Renewal, penalties and good practice
- All TRA licences expire on 31 December. Renew early; the Tourism Act asks for renewal three months before expiry.
- A late application costs 10% of the fee for each month of default (KSh 300 a month on a KSh 3,000 licence).
- You may not lend your licence to another person or work under someone else’s licence.
- Working without a licence is an offence under section 112 of the Tourism Act: a fine up to KSh 100,000, up to 18 months in jail, or both.
Other Class E licences for small tourism workers
| Category | Application | Annual (citizen) | Main extra requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local traditional boat operator | KSh 500 | KSh 3,000 | ID, good conduct, KRA PIN |
| Curio vendor | KSh 500 | KSh 3,000 | Business registration |
| General vendor | KSh 500 | KSh 3,000 | ID, good conduct, KRA PIN |
| Beach operator | KSh 500 | KSh 3,000 | Letter from a recognised beach operators’ association |
| Private zoo | KSh 500 | KSh 20,000 | KWS permit |
Need a KRA PIN first? Use the KRA PIN guide.
Tour guide licence Kenya: building a guiding career
Licensed guides are the people tour companies can legally put in their vans, so the licence directly affects how much work you get. Many guides start as driver-guides with a tour company, add a KPSGA level and a foreign language, and later register their own small tour business. Keep your good conduct certificate current, because TRA asks for it at application and may ask again at renewal.
Renewing your tour guide licence Kenya-wide is done online, so keep scans of your ID, KRA PIN and certificates in one folder. Set a reminder for October each year so you renew before the December rush. See also how to get a certificate of good conduct and how to reserve a business name if you plan to start your own company.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a tour guide licence in Kenya?
KSh 500 to apply and KSh 3,000 a year for citizens. Foreign guides pay US$100 and US$200 a year.
What do I need for a TRA tour guide licence?
National ID, certificate of good conduct, KRA PIN and professional guiding certificates.
When does a tour guide licence expire?
On 31 December each year.
Can a foreigner work as a tour guide in Kenya?
The regulations set a non-citizen tour leader or guide licence (US$100 plus US$200 a year); you will also need the right immigration permit.
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