eTA

Kenya

কেনিয়া

Important Notice

This content is AI-generated and under editorial review. Visa rules can change at any time. Always verify the latest requirements with the relevant embassy or immigration authority before making travel decisions.

days max stay

6 months

passport validity required

Swahili & English

official language

English spoken

KES

currency

About

Kenya is East Africa's largest and most dynamic economy, with a population of approximately 56 million people and a GDP exceeding $115 billion (World Bank, 2024). Located on the equator along the Indian Ocean coast, the country spans diverse landscapes — from the snow-capped peak of Mount Kenya (Africa's second-highest mountain at 5,199 metres) to the vast savannahs of the Maasai Mara, the Great Rift Valley, and the tropical coastline around Mombasa and Lamu.

Nairobi, the capital, serves as the regional headquarters for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UN-Habitat, and dozens of multinational corporations, making it East Africa's undisputed business and diplomatic hub. The city has earned the nickname 'Silicon Savannah' for its rapidly growing technology sector, which hosts companies like Safaricom (creators of M-Pesa, the world's most successful mobile money platform), Google's Africa AI centre, and Microsoft's Africa Development Centre.

Kenya's economy is diversified across agriculture (22.5% of GDP — the country is the world's third-largest flower exporter and a major producer of tea and coffee), manufacturing (7.6% of GDP, targeted to reach 15% under Kenya Vision 2030), services, and a rapidly expanding ICT sector. The country is a founding member of the East African Community (EAC), providing access to a combined market of over 300 million consumers across eight member states.

Kenya has two official languages — Swahili (Kiswahili) and English — making it one of the most linguistically accessible African destinations for Bangladeshi professionals. The country operates on the Kenyan Shilling (KES), with approximately 130 KES to 1 USD as of mid-2026. Kenya introduced the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system in January 2024, replacing the previous eVisa, making entry straightforward for Bangladeshi passport holders.

Last updated: 2026-05-28

Entry & Visa Requirements

eTA
Kenya replaced its eVisa system with the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) on 5 January 2024. Bangladeshi passport holders must apply online at evisa.go.ke before travel. The eTA costs USD $30, is valid for a single entry of up to 90 days, and typically processes within 1-3 business days. Requirements include a valid passport (minimum 6 months validity with at least one blank page), passport photo, accommodation confirmation, return ticket, and a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (mandatory for entry).

Apply the eTA at least two weeks before travel — last-minute applications risk delays. Payment is by Visa or Mastercard only. The eTA is for tourism, business meetings, or transit; it does not authorize employment.

For work, you need a separate work permit. Kenya's primary employment permit is the Class D work permit, administered through the eFNS portal (fns.immigration.go.ke). The employer initiates the application and must demonstrate that no qualified Kenyan candidate is available for the role. A mandatory Kenyan understudy must be named — a local employee who will be trained to eventually fill the position. The Class D permit processing fee is KES 20,000 (non-refundable), with an annual issuance fee of KES 500,000 (~USD $3,850 per year). This annual fee is not one-time — over a typical 3-year contract, total permit fees reach approximately $11,550. Standard Kenyan practice is for the employer to cover all permit costs, but you should confirm this in writing before accepting any offer. Ask specifically: 'Does the employer cover the full annual work permit fee, or is any portion deducted from salary?'

For business and trade, the Class G work permit requires USD $100,000 minimum capital deposited in a Kenyan bank, a business plan, and company registration. Annual fee is KES 250,000 (~$1,920). Special Economic Zone (SEZ) firms receive work permit concessions for skilled expatriate staff.
Return ticket required
Proof of funds required

Work Permit Pathway

The Class D work permit is Kenya's standard employment permit for foreign nationals. The process is employer-initiated through the eFNS portal (fns.immigration.go.ke). The employer submits a cover letter, company registration certificate, tax compliance certificate, employment contract, evidence of local recruitment advertising, and shortlisting records proving no qualified Kenyan was found. A Kenyan understudy must be named with their CV, national ID, and a skills-transfer plan — this is a legal requirement, not optional.

The applicant submits Form 25, passport copies, CV, certified academic certificates, and professional qualifications. Processing takes 4-8 weeks, though some sectors (construction, manufacturing, ICT) with documented skills shortages may receive faster processing.

The Class D annual issuance fee is KES 500,000 (~USD $3,850 per year). This is an annual recurring cost, not a one-time payment. Over a typical 2-year permit cycle (renewable), total fees including processing reach approximately $8,700. Over a 3-year contract: approximately $11,550. Standard Kenyan practice is for the employer to bear all permit costs. Before accepting any offer, confirm in writing that the employer covers the full annual work permit fee and that no portion will be deducted from your salary.

The permit is tied to a specific employer — changing employers requires a new permit application. Dependant passes are available for spouse and children. Kenya does not offer a direct path from work permit to permanent residency for most foreign workers, though long-term residents may apply through separate immigration channels after extended lawful presence.

Last updated: 2026-05-28

Overstay Penalties & Consequences

Kenya treats immigration violations seriously under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011 (Article 53), with penalties tightened further by the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Amendment Bill 2023 (enforced from January 2025).

Overstaying your eTA or work permit can result in fines up to KES 500,000 (~USD $3,850) depending on the duration and circumstances of the overstay (WKA Advocates, 2024). For serious or repeated violations, imprisonment of up to 3 years is possible under Kenyan immigration law. Deportation with a re-entry ban is the standard outcome for significant overstays — once deported, you become ineligible for future eTAs and must apply through embassy channels, which may be refused.

Kenya does not publicly document a specific daily fine rate (unlike some Southeast Asian countries). Instead, penalties are assessed case-by-case by immigration officers, with severity increasing based on duration, intent, and employment status during the overstay. Working without a valid permit compounds the violation significantly.

Immigration enforcement includes random police checkpoints, particularly on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway and in urban areas. Officers can request passport and permit documentation at any time. Detention in immigration holding facilities or general police custody is possible while deportation is arranged (Global Detention Project, Kenya profile).

Practical advice: set calendar reminders 30 days before any permit or eTA expires. If your employer is handling renewal, confirm the timeline in writing. If you discover your permit has lapsed, contact the Directorate of Immigration (immigration.go.ke) immediately — voluntary disclosure typically receives more lenient treatment than being discovered at a checkpoint.

Last updated: 2026-05-28

Job Market

Kenya's job market is the most diversified in East Africa. Agriculture accounts for 22.5% of GDP and employs the largest share of the workforce. Kenya is the world's third-largest flower exporter, with over 100,000 direct jobs in the Lake Naivasha horticulture region alone — farms like Sian Flowers Group, Finlays Horticulture, and Flamingo Horticulture are major employers (Huduma Global, 2025). Tea and coffee production remain significant, though wages in agriculture are among the lowest in the economy.

Construction is an active sector with a documented skilled labour shortage — masons, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers command premium wages compared to unskilled roles (Structrum, 2025). Major infrastructure projects and private real estate development in Nairobi and Mombasa sustain demand.

The ICT sector, concentrated in Nairobi's 'Silicon Savannah,' accounts for 13-15% of job postings and shows 15% annual growth (ByAppointmentAfrica, 2025). Safaricom, Google, Microsoft, and Andela maintain significant Nairobi operations. Entry-level software developer salaries are among Kenya's highest.

Manufacturing contributes 7.6% of GDP (below the Vision 2030 target of 15%) and is growing through 23 Special Economic Zones with significant tax incentives — SEZ firms pay 10% corporate tax for 10 years, then 15% for the following 10, versus the standard 30% (Kenya Vision 2030). Tatu City near Nairobi is a flagship private SEZ.

Tourism and hospitality employ significant numbers, particularly in coastal Mombasa, Diani Beach, and safari circuits. Nairobi also serves as a major UN and NGO hub, creating demand for international development professionals.

Important cost context for all sectors: the Class D work permit annual issuance fee is KES 500,000 (~$3,850/year). This is a significant employer cost that influences hiring decisions for foreign workers. Employers in lower-wage sectors (agriculture, hospitality) may be reluctant to sponsor foreign permits given this cost. Higher-wage sectors (IT, construction management, manufacturing) are more likely to sponsor. Always confirm that permit fees are fully employer-paid before accepting any offer.

Construction Manufacturing Agriculture IT & Tech Textile & Garments

Last updated: 2026-05-28

Salary & Payments

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Kenya has a tiered gazetted minimum wage system, updated annually by the Ministry of Labour. As of 2026 (following a 12% increase), the minimum wages are: major cities (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret) KES 18,047/month (~$139); municipalities (Ruiru, Mavoko, Limuru) KES 14,866/month (~$114); and rural areas KES 8,596/month (~$66) (Tuko, 2026; Playroll, 2026).

Wage payment reliability varies significantly by sector. The formal corporate sector (banking, telecom, large manufacturing) generally pays on time and through documented channels, often via M-Pesa mobile money. The construction sector has moderate reliability — formal contractors pay consistently, but subcontracting chains can introduce delays. Agriculture, particularly the flower farm sector, has documented issues with below-living-wage payments and limited overtime compensation (ILO Better Work data).

The informal sector, which employs approximately 83% of Kenya's workforce, offers little wage protection. Payment delays, underpayment, and absence of written contracts are common. Domestic workers are particularly vulnerable — the gazetted minimum of KES 8,596-18,047 is frequently ignored in practice.

For Bangladeshi workers: Kenya's minimum wages are generally lower than what comparable workers earn in the Gulf states or Malaysia. The IT sector is the exception — entry-level tech salaries of $310-615/month are competitive by regional standards. Workers should request written employment contracts specifying exact monthly salary in KES, payment frequency, and whether the employer covers the annual work permit fee (KES 500,000/year). All salary figures here use an approximate exchange rate of 130 KES per 1 USD, which fluctuates.

Last updated: 2026-05-28

Where to Apply

Kenya eTA Portal

Official Portal

Immigration

Official Electronic Travel Authorization portal. Replaced eVisa system in January 2024. Apply here for tourist/business entry ($30 fee, 90-day validity). Required before travel — does not authorize employment.

Website

Verified: 2026-05-28

eFNS — Foreign Nationals Services

Official Portal

Immigration / Work Permits

Official work permit application portal. Employers initiate Class D work permit applications here. Also handles alien registration cards, special passes, and dependant passes. All work permit processes are online through this system.

Website

Verified: 2026-05-28

National Employment Authority (NEA)

Official Portal

Employment Services

Government employment services agency. Registers private recruitment agencies, maintains job listings through NEAIMS (neaims.go.ke), and oversees foreign worker employment advertising requirements. Useful for verifying the legitimacy of recruitment agencies.

Website

Verified: 2026-05-28

KenInvest — Kenya Investment Authority

Official Portal

Investment / Business

Government investment promotion agency. Issues Investment Certificates, provides licensing guidance, and facilitates foreign business registration. Essential contact for Class G (business) permit applicants and SEZ investors.

Website

Verified: 2026-05-28

NITA — National Industrial Training Authority

Official Portal

Skills / Training

Government authority for industrial training and skills certification. Manages the Industrial Training Levy and coordinates skills assessment. Relevant for workers who need Kenyan skills recognition or want to access training programs.

Website

Verified: 2026-05-28

Safaricom PLC

Major Employer

Telecommunications / Technology

Kenya s number one employer (AscendurePro, 2026). Creator of M-Pesa mobile money platform. Over 5,500 direct employees. Regularly hires software engineers, data analysts, cybersecurity specialists, and network engineers. Competitive salaries and benefits.

Website

Verified: 2026-05-28

Kenya Airways

Major Employer

Aviation

National airline. Significant employer for aviation engineers, cabin crew, ground handlers, and operations staff. Africa s fifth-largest airline by fleet size.

Website

Verified: 2026-05-28

Equity Bank Group

Major Employer

Banking / Financial Services

One of East Africa s largest banks. Major employer in banking, microfinance, and digital financial services. Operations in Kenya, Uganda, DRC, Rwanda, Tanzania, and South Sudan.

Website

Verified: 2026-05-28

Bidco Africa

Major Employer

Manufacturing (FMCG)

Major FMCG manufacturer operating across East, Central, and Southern Africa. Produces cooking oils, fats, hygiene products, and animal feeds. Significant manufacturing workforce with multiple factories.

Website

Verified: 2026-05-28

Sian Flowers Group

Major Employer

Horticulture / Flower Farming

Major flower farming group comprising Agriflora, Equator Flowers, and Maasai Flowers. Significant employer in the Lake Naivasha horticulture corridor. Kenya s flower industry is the world s third largest, with Naivasha as its epicentre.

Website

Verified: 2026-05-28

Last updated: 2026-05-28

Housing & Living

Nairobi is the most expensive city in Kenya but significantly cheaper than Gulf capitals or Kuala Lumpur. Accommodation costs: a shared room in Nairobi ranges from KES 8,000-15,000/month ($62-115); a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costs KES 20,000-50,000/month ($154-385). Mombasa is 20-25% cheaper than Nairobi for equivalent housing (Numbeo, May 2026).

Food is affordable, especially at local restaurants and markets. A meal at an inexpensive local restaurant (ugali, nyama choma, chapati) costs KES 300-750 ($2.30-5.77). Rice costs KES 254/kg ($1.95), a dozen eggs KES 218 ($1.68), and chicken KES 837/kg ($6.44). Street food (samosa, mandazi) is widely available for KES 50-150. South Asian grocery stores in Nairobi's Eastleigh and Parklands neighbourhoods stock familiar ingredients — rice, lentils, spices, and cooking oil.

Transport is cheap. Matatu (minibus) fares within Nairobi are KES 50-150 ($0.38-1.15) per ride. A monthly transport pass costs KES 3,000-7,200 ($23-55). Boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) rides cost KES 100-300 for short trips. Ride-hailing apps (Bolt, Uber) operate in Nairobi and Mombasa.

Mobile connectivity is excellent and affordable. Safaricom dominates with M-Pesa (universal mobile money — you will need this for daily transactions). An 8GB monthly data bundle costs KES 1,000 ($7.69). Basic utilities for a small apartment run KES 6,745/month ($52) including electricity, water, and waste (Numbeo).

Kenya operates on a dual-currency economy in practice — while the Kenyan Shilling is official, many business transactions, rents, and international purchases are quoted in USD. M-Pesa is ubiquitous for payments from street vendors to utilities. Banking is accessible through Equity Bank and KCB (both offer basic accounts for foreign workers with valid permits).

Social & Culture

There is no documented Bangladeshi diaspora community in Kenya. Unlike the Gulf states (which host over 4.9 million Bangladeshis), Malaysia, Singapore, or even other African countries, Kenya has never been a significant destination for Bangladeshi migration. The IOM Bangladesh Migration Snapshot 2024 and Bangladeshi diaspora studies do not identify Kenya as having any organized Bangladeshi community. A Bangladeshi worker going to Kenya should expect cultural isolation — the community support networks available in Dubai, Riyadh, Kuala Lumpur, or even Rome simply do not exist here.

This is an important practical consideration. In the Gulf, a Bangladeshi worker can find Bengali-speaking neighbours, Bangladeshi restaurants, remittance agents familiar with bKash/Nagad, and community mosques where Bangla is spoken. In Kenya, none of this infrastructure exists. You will be operating independently in a culturally unfamiliar environment.

That said, Kenya has practical infrastructure that partially helps. The country has approximately 5.2 million Muslims (11% of the population, 2019 census), concentrated in coastal counties (Mombasa, Lamu, Kilifi are majority Muslim) and Nairobi's Eastleigh neighbourhood — a vibrant Somali, Pakistani, and Indian Muslim commercial hub. Mosques are widely available in all major cities. Halal food is the default in coastal Kenya and widely available in Nairobi, particularly in Eastleigh and Parklands where South Asian restaurants and grocery stores operate. However, these are Somali, Pakistani, and Indian communities — not Bangladeshi. Cultural familiarity will be limited.

English is an official language and widely spoken in business, education, and government — this makes daily communication significantly easier than in Gulf countries or East Asian destinations where language barriers are severe. Most Kenyans in urban areas speak fluent English.

Climate varies dramatically by location. Nairobi sits at 1,700 metres elevation with a subtropical highland climate (10-26°C) — significantly cooler and drier than Bangladesh, and some workers find this uncomfortable initially. Mombasa on the coast has a tropical climate (24-33°C) with high humidity, much more familiar to Bangladeshis. Both cities have two rainy seasons (March-May and October-December).

Healthcare in Nairobi is the best in East Africa, with private hospitals (Nairobi Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital) offering high-quality care — but at significant cost without insurance. Public healthcare is basic and overcrowded. Ensure your employment contract includes medical insurance, or budget for private coverage.

Business Opportunities

Kenya is East Africa's undisputed business hub and a gateway to the broader East African Community (EAC), which comprises eight member states with a combined consumer market of over 300 million people. The EAC framework allows preferential tariffs and, in principle, free movement of goods, services, labour, and capital across member states — though implementation varies.

The most notable business opportunity in Kenya is its fintech ecosystem, anchored by M-Pesa. Safaricom's mobile money platform processes over 61 million daily transactions and has over 50 million active users in Kenya alone. The broader fintech sector attracted KES 82.3 billion (~USD $633 million) in investment in 2024 (Daily Nation), with a projected digital payments CAGR of 14.1% through 2028 (SDK Finance, 2026). For Bangladeshi tech entrepreneurs familiar with bKash or Nagad, Kenya's fintech maturity offers both learning opportunities and potential partnership avenues.

The technology sector more broadly has attracted Google (Africa AI centre), Microsoft (Africa Development Centre), and numerous startups. The Kenyan government dropped the 30% local ownership requirement for foreign IT firms, making tech one of the most accessible sectors for foreign entrepreneurs.

For physical business, the Class G work permit requires USD $100,000 minimum capital deposited in a Kenyan bank, a business plan, and Kenyan company registration. Annual permit fee is KES 250,000 (~$1,920). Special Economic Zone (SEZ) firms receive significant incentives: 10% corporate tax for 10 years, then 15% for the following 10 years, compared to the standard 30% rate (Kenya Vision 2030). Tatu City near Nairobi is the flagship private SEZ.

Potential Bangladesh-Kenya trade corridors include: Bangladeshi textile and garment exports to the East African market (Kenya as entry point); Kenyan tea, coffee, and flower imports to Bangladesh; pharmaceutical exports from Bangladesh; and agricultural equipment trade. Direct trade data between the two countries is limited, suggesting an underexplored corridor.

Practical barriers: business registration bureaucracy (though improving via eCitizen online portal), corruption perception (Kenya ranks 126th on Transparency International's CPI 2024), limited banking options for new foreign businesses, and the Kenyan understudy requirement for any employees on Class D permits. The $100,000 capital requirement for Class G is a significant barrier for small-scale entrepreneurs.

Last updated: 2026-05-28

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Cost of Living

Nairobi is the most expensive city in Kenya but significantly cheaper than Gulf capitals or Kuala Lumpur. Accommodation costs: a shared room in Nairobi ranges from KES 8,000-15,000/month ($62-115); a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costs KES 20,000-50,000/month ($154-385). Mombasa is 20-25% cheaper than Nairobi for equivalent housing (Numbeo, May 2026). Food is affordable, especially at local restaurants and markets. A meal at an inexpensive local restaurant (ugali, nyama choma, chapati) costs KES 300-750 ($2.30-5.77). Rice costs KES 254/kg ($1.95), a dozen eggs KES 218 ($1.68), and chicken KES 837/kg ($6.44). Street food (samosa, mandazi) is widely available for KES 50-150. South Asian grocery stores in Nairobi's Eastleigh and Parklands neighbourhoods stock familiar ingredients — rice, lentils, spices, and cooking oil. Transport is cheap. Matatu (minibus) fares within Nairobi are KES 50-150 ($0.38-1.15) per ride. A monthly transport pass costs KES 3,000-7,200 ($23-55). Boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) rides cost KES 100-300 for short trips. Ride-hailing apps (Bolt, Uber) operate in Nairobi and Mombasa. Mobile connectivity is excellent and affordable. Safaricom dominates with M-Pesa (universal mobile money — you will need this for daily transactions). An 8GB monthly data bundle costs KES 1,000 ($7.69). Basic utilities for a small apartment run KES 6,745/month ($52) including electricity, water, and waste (Numbeo). Kenya operates on a dual-currency economy in practice — while the Kenyan Shilling is official, many business transactions, rents, and international purchases are quoted in USD. M-Pesa is ubiquitous for payments from street vendors to utilities. Banking is accessible through Equity Bank and KCB (both offer basic accounts for foreign workers with valid permits).