Kenya's Class G permit: invest $100,000 and run your own business there
The fees in shillings and dollars, the paperwork in the order you'll need it, and what Kenyan immigration checks when you renew.
This is Kenya's route for people whose income will come from a business they own in the country, rather than a pension or a U.S. paycheck.
What Class G is
A permit for owners, not employees
Class G covers a specific trade, business, consultancy or profession in Kenya, run alone or with partners. You set up a Kenyan company, put in at least $100,000, and the permit lets you work in it. In most sectors, a foreigner can own the whole company.
- You own and run the business yourself
- The capital can be in dollars or any other currency
- The fee is charged for each year of validity, and the permit is renewable
What Class G costs, as of September 2026
$100,000
Minimum capital to invest
or the equivalent in any currency
~$1,930
Issuance fee, per year
KSh 250,000 a year
~$155
Processing fee
KSh 20,000, non-refundable
~$77
Security bond
KSh 10,000, from an insurer
~$2,160
First-year government costs
KSh 280,100, per KenInvest
21
Working days to process
official target, 2025 charter
Class G Permit (Specific Trade, Business or Consultancy)
For foreigners who set up or invest in a business, trade or consultancy in Kenya. You need at least USD 100,000 in capital and must show the business benefits Kenya. It lets you run your own company and is issued per year of validity.
- Government cost
- $2,082
- Timeline
- Issued per year of validity (fee charged annually), renewable; renewals need audited accounts and tax compliance
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Key requirements
- Documentary proof of at least USD 100,000 in capital, with evidence of offshore transfers
- Kenyan company documents: certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, CR12 shareholding certificate, PIN certificate
- Any licences required for the business activity
- Tax compliance certificate for the company
- Completed Form 25 and Form 27 on eFNS, passport copies and two photos
- Cover letter to the Director of Immigration Services
The process
From company to permit, in order
You can set things up in person after flying in on an eTA. Once the permit is issued, start the business within 90 days or the permit becomes invalid.
- Fly in on an eTA ($30; apply at least three days ahead)
- Register the company and get company and personal KRA PINs
- Wire the capital from abroad and keep the transfer slip
- Get the company's tax compliance certificate
- File Forms 25 and 27 on eFNS and pay KSh 20,000
- After approval, pay KSh 250,000 a year plus the KSh 10,000 bond
- Staying past 90 days? Register for an alien card (KSh 5,000 a year)
Renewal is where Class G gets tested
Approval is the easier half. To renew, you'll need signed audited accounts for the previous two years, tax compliance certificates for you and the company, and a list of the Kenyans you employ. Lawyers say renewals fail when the promised investment never arrived or the business isn't operating. Start the renewal at least three months before expiry.
Beyond the permit
Family, taxes and staying for good
Your spouse and kids
Each applies for a Dependant's Pass, KSh 10,000 (about $77), and you show you can support them. The official page doesn't say whether dependants can work.
Taxes on both sides
There's no U.S.-Kenya tax treaty. Owning 10% or more of a foreign company generally means filing IRS Form 5471 every year.
The long game
Seven years on work permits, with the last three spent living in Kenya continuously, opens the door to permanent residence.
If your money comes from somewhere else
Class K: pension or retirement income
For people 35 or older with assured income of at least $24,000 a year from outside Kenya. No $100,000 investment needed.
Class N: remote work
For employees and freelancers working for companies registered outside Kenya. You can't take Kenyan clients on it.
Help with the money and health questions
Hunter Schultz
Healthcare Coach
Coaching on choosing doctors, hospitals and the level of care you need before a move, from someone with a background in air medical transport.
ExpatInsure
Global Health Insurance
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MyExpatTaxes
U.S. Expat Tax Service
Prepares U.S. tax returns for Americans living overseas.
Moneycorp
Currency Exchange
Handles currency exchange and international payments, such as wiring your starting capital from a U.S. account.
Kenya Class G permit: common questions
Can an American own 100% of a Kenyan company?
Yes, in most sectors. Kenyan law firms say foreigners can fully own a private limited company, with caps in some regulated sectors such as telecommunications. Foreigners can't own freehold land in Kenya, so a business that needs property usually leases it.
How long does it take to get a Class G permit?
Kenya's 2025 service charter sets 21 working days to process a work permit, and KenInvest's procedure lists 13 to 19 days once your documents are ready. Setting up the company and gathering tax certificates comes first and adds time. For renewals, Kenyan lawyers report four to eight weeks and advise starting three months before expiry.
How much does the Kenya Class G permit cost?
Kenya charges KSh 20,000 to process the application (about $155, non-refundable) and KSh 250,000 for each year of the permit (about $1,930), at September 2026 exchange rates. KenInvest puts the first-year government total at KSh 280,100 (about $2,160), including a KSh 10,000 security bond and small eCitizen fees. These fees took effect in April 2024; the yearly fee was KSh 100,000 before that.
Does a Class G permit lead to permanent residence in Kenya?
It can. Kenya accepts permanent residence applications from people who have held work permits for at least seven years and lived in Kenya continuously for the three years before applying. Permanent residence costs KSh 50,000 to process and KSh 750,000 to issue (about $386 and $5,790 at September 2026 rates).
Will I pay taxes in both Kenya and the U.S. on a Class G permit?
Possibly. The U.S. and Kenya have no income tax treaty. Kenya taxes residents on worldwide earned income from employment or services, at rates up to 35% above KSh 9,600,000 a year (about $74,200), and you still file with the IRS. Americans who own 10% or more of a foreign company generally file Form 5471 each year; the penalty for missing it starts at $10,000.
How much do I need to invest for a Kenya Class G permit?
At least $100,000, or the equivalent in another currency, invested in your Kenyan business. You prove it with documents: Kenya's eFNS checklist asks new applicants for two bank statement verification forms and a receipt or slip showing the money arrived from abroad.
Can my spouse and children move to Kenya with me?
Yes. Each applies for a Dependant's Pass, which costs KSh 10,000 (about $77) when the sponsor holds a work permit, and the sponsor shows financial ability to support them. Kenya's immigration page doesn't say whether a dependant can work, so check with a Kenyan immigration lawyer before your spouse plans on a job.
Do I have to hire Kenyans to keep a Class G permit?
The application checklist doesn't set a hiring quota, but renewals ask for a list of the Kenyans the business already employs, along with two years of signed audited accounts. Lawyers say permits are refused when the investment wasn't made or the business isn't operating, so plan for a real, staffed business.
Is Kenya the right place to build it?
The free Expatsi Test weighs cost, healthcare, climate and safety across countries, so you can check Kenya against the alternatives before you wire $100,000.
Why not you?