EAC citizens seeking to live and work in Kenya have been urged to regularise their documents through official government channels, with the State warning against brokers and clarifying that the Class R permit remains free.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi said citizens from East African Community (EAC) member states who want to reside, work, trade, invest or engage in other lawful activities in Kenya should apply for the Class R permit.
The permit is open to nationals of Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia. The government does not charge a processing or issuance fee for the permit.
Mudavadi said the government had noted confusion between the permit and the separate registration requirement for foreign nationals who have stayed in Kenya for more than 90 days.
"We wish to clarify that foreign-national registration is separate from the Class R Permit. Kenyan law requires foreign nationals residing in Kenya for more than 90 days to be registered. This registration process is distinct from the Class R Permit application and should not be confused with a charge for the permit," he said.
The clarification is aimed at helping EAC nationals understand the different immigration procedures they are expected to follow as Kenya tightens checks on foreign nationals while maintaining regional integration.
Mudavadi said those whose immigration documents require regularisation should not rely on intermediaries to process their applications.
"Nobody should be charging an EAC citizen for the Class R Permit. The government has made the permit free. Applicants should use the official eFNS and eCitizen platforms and deal directly with the Directorate of Immigration Services," he said.
Applicants for the Class R permit must submit a valid passport and, where applicable, documents showing their current immigration status.
They are also required to provide supporting paperwork linked to the work, business, investment or other activity they intend to undertake in Kenya.
Among the documents required are a cover letter setting out the proposed activities, a certificate showing registration of the organisation or business, as well as relevant academic and professional certificates.
Professionals working in fields regulated by professional bodies must also provide the required clearance letters or licences.
The documents required may vary according to an applicant's category. Investors, employees, professionals and small-scale traders will therefore have different supporting requirements when making their applications.
In some cases, applicants whose documents have been processed will be required to print them and appear at designated Immigration offices for verification, endorsement and completion of other procedures.
The government has maintained that foreign nationals who have been in Kenya for more than 90 days must comply with the registration requirement, unless they fall under exemptions provided by law.
EAC citizens who are required to register have been advised to use the official Directorate of Immigration Services channels rather than third parties.
Mudavadi said the measures should not be viewed as a barrier to regional movement, noting that Kenya continues to support the EAC integration agenda.
"East African integration is about bringing our people closer together, expanding opportunities and making our region more prosperous. Kenya will continue to support lawful and orderly movement of EAC citizens while protecting the integrity of our immigration system," he said.
He added that EAC nationals remain important to Kenya's economy through their involvement in business, employment, investment and trade.
"Our EAC brothers and sisters should continue to come to Kenya, invest, trade, work and contribute to our economy. Those who are already here should regularise their documentation and continue with their lawful activities with confidence," he said.