Immigration Passes Issued in Kenya- Immigration services in Kenya

DEPENDANT’S PASS

This pass is issued to individuals whose spouse, parent, or guardian is lawfully entitled to enter Kenya. Dependency can also be in an instance whereby reason of disability or incapacity, an individual depends on someone to maintain themselves adequately.

They are issued to the dependants of Kenya Citizens, Permit holders, Exempted Persons and Permanent Residents. Exempted Persons mean all persons who are entitled to privileges and immunities under Section 34 (3)(a) to (g) of the Act who are exempt from obtaining a permit or pass. They are:

• Accredited representatives to Kenya of the government of any Commonwealth country and includes the spouse and child of the representative;
• Accredited envoy to Kenya of a foreign sovereign state, and includes the spouse and child of that envoy;
• A person upon whom the immunities and privileges have been conferred and includes their spouses and children or other dependants;
• Accredited diplomatic and consular staff and includes their spouses and children;
• Official staff of persons mentioned and includes their spouses and children;
• Domestic staff of persons mentioned and includes their spouses and children;
• Any person/ class of persons exempted by the Cabinet Secretary.  

Documents required:

1. Duly filled and signed application FORM 28
2. Detailed cover letter addressed to the Director of Immigration Services
3. Copy of valid National passport(bio-data page)
4. Current immigration status for both the applicant and the dependant
5. Current two (2) passport size colored photos of the dependant
6. Evidence of the relationship between the applicant and the dependant
7. Proof of sufficient and assured income to sustain self and the dependant
8. Sworn affidavit of incapacity/inability to sustain self (dependant)
9. A valid copy of work permit- at least six months to its expiry(for applicants holding work permits)
10. Police Clearance Certificate

In addition to the above, Nigerian nationals must provide an original National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Clearance Certificate

SPECIAL PASS

Pursuant to Section 34 of the Regulations, this pass is issued to persons who wish to enter or remain in Kenya for a limited period for the purpose of applying a review of a decision denying a permit; for applying for a permit or pass; those temporarily conducting any business, trade or profession whether paid or unpaid; or any other purpose which the immigration officer considers suitable.

Requirements to issue:

1. Application form 32 duly filled, signed and stamped by organization
2. Detailed cover letter from the applicant/organization
3. Current Two (2) passport size colored photos
4. Current immigration status (if in the country)
5. Copy of valid national passport
6. Copy of registration certificate of the organization
7. Academic and professional certificates of the applicant
8. Copy of any permit or passes held.
9. Copy of any official receipt or acknowledgement for those waiting for permits processing.
10. Clearance letter (where applicable) from the relevant institutions.

Depending on the type of profession, you may be required to submit a clearance from the regulatory bodies in Kenya. For instance: for a doctor, clearance from the medical and dentist board; for an engineer, clearance from the engineering board.

The pass is issued for a period not exceeding three (3) months renewable once subject only to reasons that may be considered valid by the immigration officer. 

STUDENT’S PASS

This is a document issued to applicants (foreign students) (section 30(1) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations 2012, who wish to purse their education in Kenya’s Education or Training Institutions where they have been accepted or admitted. The applicant (foreign student) must be accepted as a student by an approved Education or Training establishment.

Documents required:

1. Application Form 30 duly filled, signed and stamped by the institution head
2. Detailed cover letter from the institution addressed to the Director of Immigration Services indicating the course to be pursued and the duration
3. Copy of valid national passport(bio-data page)
4. Current immigration status of the student/ intern / researcher (if in the country)
5. Current two(2) passport size colored photos
6. Copies of basic academic certificates (for those joining tertiary institutions)
7. Commitment letter from the sponsor
8. National passport copy of the sponsor
9. Proof of funds (for self-sponsored students)
10. Consent letter from the parents (for minors)
11. Copy of parent’s national transport (for minors)
12. Copy of birth certificate (for minors)
13. Copy of registration certificate for the institution from the Ministry of Education, Science and technology
14. Clearance letter from the Department of Refugee Affairs (for refugees)
15. Curriculum vitae (for researchers and interns)
16. Police Clearance Certificate

INTERNSHIP OR RESEARCH PASS

This pass is issued to persons who wish to undertake an internship or take part in academic research in an accredited institution in Kenya.

The person must have been accepted as a researcher of intern in a Kenyan institution pursuant to Section 29 of the Regulations. The intern or researcher shall remain in Kenya for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months. 

• A duly filled, signed and stamped application Form 30, by the institution’s authorized personnel (Both new and renewal cases) .
• Detailed and Signed cover letter from the institution indicating the internship or research topic to be pursued and the duration and should be addressed to the Director of Immigration Services
• Copy of a valid national passport (the bio-data page)
• Current immigration status of the pupil/student(if in the country)
• Two (2) recent passport size color photos
• Duly certified copies of academic certificates and CV
• Documents in foreign languages should be translated into English by either the Embassy, Public Notary, or authorized /recognized institution
• Copy of research permit from the National Council for science and Technology for those undertaking research programs
• Police Clearance Certificate from the country of origin, or if a resident, from the Kenya Police Service

VISITOR’S PASS

Pursuant to Section 31 of the Regulations, this pass is issued to persons who wish to enter Kenya either as a visitor; for a holiday; or for any temporary purpose approved by the immigration officer.

The visitor’s pass is given for a maximum period of six (6) months.

RE-ENTRY PASS

This pass is endorsed in the holder’s passport issued to a holder of a dependant pass, lawfully in Kenya who intends to leave Kenya temporarily or who left Kenya temporarily but at the time of departure from Kenya, was lawfully present in Kenya.

A re-entry pass is valid for the expected period of absence from Kenya but shall not, in any case, exceed two (2) years.  

TRANSIT PASS

This pass is endorsed in the holder’s passport, entitling the holder to enter and remain in Kenya to travel to a destination outside Kenya.  This pass is valid for a period not exceeding three days pursuant to section 32 of the Regulations.

PROHIBITED IMMIGRANTS PASS OR INADMISSIBLE PERSONS PASS

This pass is issued to persons to enter or remain temporarily in Kenya for such period or to allow transit through Kenya subject to conditions as may be specified in the pass or for transit purposes pursuant to section 33 of the Regulations.

A prohibited immigrant is described as any non-Kenyan citizen who is a criminal or is suspected of being a criminal and has committed any crimes more specifically outlined under section 33(1)(a)-(v) of the Act.

Pursuant to section 33(2)(a)-(f) of the Act, an inadmissible person is described as a non-Kenyan citizen who:  

• Refuses to submit for medical examination by a medical practitioner after being required to do so by an immigration officer;
• The family and dependants of a prohibited immigrant;
• Incapable of supporting themselves and the dependants;
• Is adjudged insolvent;
• Has been judicially declared incompetent;
• An asylum seeker whose application for grant of refugee status has been rejected

Please contact us at info@swkadvocates.com for inquiries on Immigration Services in Kenya.