🇰🇪
Active Visa 2026

Kenya Digital Nomad Visa

Class N Digital Nomad Permit

How to Apply Compare
Nairobi city skyline viewed from the Gem Hotel, Kenya
Photo: Daniel Case / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Unsplash
Min. Income
$2,000
per month
Stay
12 mo
Renewable to 24mo
Foreign Tax
Tax-Free
No foreign income tax
App. Fee
$1200
14-30 days
Family
No
Solo applicants only
Apply Online
Yes
No citizenship path
Data verified: 2026-08-01  ·  Reviewed by SHOYA KIHARA  ·  See all All Visas

Overview

Kenya launched its Class N Digital Nomad Permit in late 2024, offering an accessible income threshold of $24,000/year and tax-free foreign income. Nairobi's growing tech hub (Silicon Savannah) and Kenya's world-famous wildlife and landscapes make it one of Africa's most attractive nomad visa options.
Apply Online
Family Allowed
Renewable
Citizenship Path
61
/ 100
Good

Nomad Score

Our unique composite rating
Visa Accessibility 17/25

Fees, processing, online application

Stay & Flexibility 10/20

Duration, renewability, family

Tax Benefit 15/15

No tax on foreign income

Living Quality 12/25

Safety, healthcare, development

Digital Infrastructure 7/15

Internet, English, tap water

Nomad Score is calculated from visa accessibility, stay flexibility, tax benefits, living quality (UNDP, UNODC, WHO data), and digital infrastructure. Updated 2026-08-01.

Application Process

📋

Prepare Documents

Gather 7 required documents including valid passport, cover letter to director general of immigration services

📝

Submit Application

Complete and submit the application online

⏳

Processing

Wait 14-30 days for a decision

✅

Approval

Receive your visa approval (fee: $1200)

✈️

Arrive & Register

Arrive in Kenya and complete any local registration

How to apply online: annotated screenshots

Numbered markers on official portal screenshots show exactly where to click and what to enter.

Step 1 Review Class N requirements
Review Class N requirements
  1. Class N is for remote work for an overseas company or clients outside Kenya.
  2. Prepare Form 25, passport copies, photos, cover letters, income proof and accommodation evidence.
Step 2 Follow the eFNS application flow
Follow the eFNS application flow
  1. Create a Kenya Single Sign On account, enter eFNS, then choose Permit Issuance/Renewal.
  2. Apply Now leads to the login-protected Form 25 application; no account was created during this guide capture.

Source: eFNS Class N Digital Nomad Permit — Kenya Immigration · Captured: 2026-07

Min. Monthly Income
$2,000 ~2,000 USD
Initial Stay
12 mo Renewable after first term
Application Fee
$1200 Excludes insurance & legal fees

Visa Requirements

Financials

  • Income Proof

    Income statements proving at least $24,000/year from non-Kenyan entities.

  • Income Type

    monthly

Background & Health

  • Health Insurance
    Required
  • Background Check
    Required
  • Minimum Age 18+ years old

Advantages

  • • Relatively low income requirement ($2,000/month)
  • • Foreign earnings are not taxed locally — Income earned abroad is exempt from Kenyan taxes for digital nomad permit holders
  • • Fully online application process
  • • Growing tech hub with strong internet in Nairobi
  • • World-class wildlife, nature, and adventure tourism
  • • English widely spoken

Disadvantages

  • • Higher total fee ($1,200 for first year)
  • • Family/dependent policy not yet clearly defined
  • • Infrastructure outside major cities can be inconsistent
  • • Safety concerns in some areas
  • • Relatively new program with evolving regulations

Policy Change History

Tracking visa requirement changes over time to help you stay informed.

2025-06 launch

Kenya Class N Digital Nomad Permit — online applications opened

Kenya's digital nomad permit (enacted late 2024) began accepting online applications through the eFNS portal.

Source: Kenya Immigration

2025-06 requirement change

Income requirement cut from $55,000 to $24,000 a year

The Class N permit launched with a $55,000 bar which was reduced in the 2025 regulations.

Source: Department of Immigration Services, Kenya

Tax & Legal

Taxation Profile
Foreign Income Tax-Free

Foreign Income

Kenya generally does not tax foreign-sourced income for holders of this visa, making it highly attractive for remote workers.

Special Regime

Income earned abroad is exempt from Kenyan taxes for digital nomad permit holders.

Local Income

Income earned from local Kenya sources is taxable at standard rates.

Foreign-sourced income is tax-exempt under the Class N permit. Kenya operates a source-based tax system for non-residents.

Living in Kenya

All ratings use a unified A–D scale. A = best for digital nomads in each category.

💰 Affordability
A

Very Affordable

Numbeo Cost of Living Index: 27/100 (NYC=100, lower=cheaper)

🛡️ Safety
C

Moderate

UNODC Homicide Rate: 4.8/100k population

🏥 Healthcare
D

Limited — Private Insurance Recommended

WHO Universal Health Coverage Index: 47/100

📶 Internet
D

Slow — Check Local Options

Ookla Speedtest: 16 Mbps median download

🌐 Development
D

Developing

UNDP Human Development Index: 0.579

🌤️
18° – 26°C

Tropical coast, temperate highlands — warm year-round

🚱
Bottled Water

WHO/UNICEF JMP

🗣️
English Spoken

Widely spoken

🌡️
Köppen

Climate classification

A = Excellent B = Good C = Moderate D = Caution

Sources: UNDP HDR 2025 · UNODC Homicide Data · WHO UHC 2023 · Numbeo · Ookla · WHO/UNICEF JMP. Updated 2026-08.

Common Questions

What does it cost to apply for the Class N Digital Nomad Permit?
The government fee is about $1200. Budget beyond that for health insurance, sworn translations, apostilles and, where required, a criminal-record check — these routinely add up to more than the fee itself.
What is the income requirement for Kenya's nomad visa?
About $2000 a month. Expect to evidence it with several months of bank statements plus a contract or invoices, rather than a single payslip.
How long can I actually stay in Kenya?
The first grant runs 12 months, and renewals can take the total to about 24 months. It does not build towards permanent residence, so treat the cap as the real limit.
Can my partner or children come with me to Kenya?
Not on this permit. Dependent eligibility not yet formally detailed in the program.
Will I pay tax in Kenya on money earned abroad?
Foreign-sourced income is not taxed locally under this route. Income earned abroad is exempt from Kenyan taxes for digital nomad permit holders.. That does not settle your position at home — most countries tax on residence or citizenship, so check both sides before assuming a saving.
Can the Class N Digital Nomad Permit be applied for online?
Yes, the application is submitted online. You can file from outside the country, so no embassy visit is needed to start. Documents still need to be properly certified before upload — that is where most delays come from.
What do I need to renew the Class N Digital Nomad Permit?
Available as 1-year or 2-year permit. Renewable upon meeting income requirements. File before the current permit expires rather than after — in most systems a lapsed permit means starting the process again from outside the country.
What trips up most Class N Digital Nomad Permit applications?
Insurance wording and the criminal-record certificate. The policy has to cover the whole permitted stay in Kenya on terms the authority accepts, and the police certificate usually needs an apostille and a certified translation — both take longer to obtain than people plan for.

Where to Live & Work

Nairobi

East Africa's tech capital (Silicon Savannah) with a thriving startup scene, good infrastructure, and proximity to national parks.

Avg 40 Mbps

Popular Neighborhoods

Westlands

Modern, business district, restaurants, malls

1BR Rent $600/mo

Best for: Professionals wanting modern amenities

Kilimani / Lavington

Residential, expat-friendly, tree-lined streets

1BR Rent $500/mo

Best for: Expats and nomads wanting a green, safe area

Karen

Suburban, spacious, nature, upscale

1BR Rent $450/mo

Best for: Nature lovers wanting space and quiet

Coworking Spaces

Nairobi Garage

Premium coworking with great community

$150/mo
iHub

Kenya's innovation hub, tech-focused

$100/mo

Local Tips

  • ● M-Pesa mobile money is used everywhere — set up an account early
  • ● Uber and Bolt work well for getting around
  • ● Nairobi National Park is the only national park inside a capital city

Mombasa / Diani Beach

Coastal lifestyle with Indian Ocean beaches, Swahili culture, and more relaxed pace than Nairobi.

Avg 25 Mbps

Popular Neighborhoods

Diani Beach

Beach resort area, tropical, expat community

1BR Rent $350/mo

Best for: Beach lovers wanting tropical living

Nyali

Upscale suburb, malls, restaurants

1BR Rent $400/mo

Best for: Families and those wanting modern coastal living

Coworking Spaces

SwahiliBox

Tech hub in Mombasa

$80/mo

Local Tips

  • ● Coastal climate is hot and humid — air conditioning is essential
  • ● Diani Beach consistently ranked among Africa's best beaches
  • ● Internet can be slower than Nairobi — fiber availability varies

General Tips for Kenya

  • ● Kenya shilling has been relatively stable; USD is widely accepted in tourist areas
  • ● Safari trips are a weekend activity — Masai Mara is a short flight from Nairobi
  • ● Rainy seasons are March-May (long rains) and October-December (short rains)

Prices are approximate and based on publicly available data as of 2026-04. Actual costs vary by individual circumstances and market conditions.

Advanced Questions

Can I bring my family on Kenya's digital nomad permit?
No. The Class N Digital Nomad Permit is issued to individuals only. Family members would need to apply for separate visas or permits.
What is the cost of Kenya's digital nomad permit?
The application fee is $1,200 USD, which is higher than many programs. The permit grants a 12-month stay.
Is foreign income taxed in Kenya for digital nomads?
No. The Class N permit exempts holders from Kenyan income tax on foreign-sourced earnings.
What is Nairobi like for digital nomads?
Nairobi has a growing tech hub (known as Silicon Savannah) with numerous coworking spaces, reliable internet in central areas, and a vibrant startup ecosystem. The cost of living is very affordable.
How do I apply for Kenya's digital nomad permit?
Applications can be submitted online through Kenya's e-Citizen portal. You need proof of remote employment, health insurance, and documentation of at least $2,000/month income.

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