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Employ Candidates Compliantly in Kenya

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  1. Overview: Kenya
  2. Expand without a company set up
  3. Contractor vs. employee: which is better?
  4. Global PEO and payroll
  5. Global HR Compliance
  6. Work permit for hiring expats via PEO
  7. Global Payroll Calculator
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Visa, Work Permit & Immigration Support in Kenya 

Among many other issues companies face when expanding globally is global HR. This includes hiring local citizens and expats, and payrolling them, paying taxes and getting work permits and visas so that expatriates were eligible to work in a foreign country.

If you are a company that is already hiring or planning to hire international workforce for your international projects, you must be aware of how hard it may get to onboard the person if they are miles away. Things can get even more complicated if expats are to be onboarded in a foreign country.

Whether it is to serve your company’s clients in Kenya or to tap into a new market, Acumen’s ‘work permit and hiring expats through a Global PEO’ is here for you.

Attention: we are not an immigration service! We do not provide a work permit and immigration support as a standalone solution to individuals willing to work overseas.

Immigration Support for Hiring Expats in Kenya via PEO

Our solution is a one-stop shop service for the official employment of expats in Kenya after they have received a work permit or a visa. Our Global PEO for hiring expats is aimed at employer companies that want to transfer selected candidates or individuals whose employers are ready to finance their immigration and foreign employment.

Note: having one provider that sponsors a work permit or visa on your behalf and then employs the expat, minimizes risks of visa rejection and takes the hassle associated with immigration procedure off your head.

Unlike other global Professional Employer Organizations, we can provide a bunch of extra benefits in addition to immigration support and onboarding in full compliance with local labor legislation. This includes housing, office, mobile phone and car provision to meet-and-greet, dependents relocation, and others.

Focus on your primary business goals. And let us take care of the work permit and immigration procedures for you. Use our all-in-one solution:

  1. For long-term assignments in Kenya, allowing to payroll expats with full legal compliance
  2. As an interim solution before incorporating in the country

Employment and Payrolling Expats in Kenya

Acumen’s approach to global mobility and expats employment in Kenya is backed with years of field expertise. Our team of seasoned professionals has managed to guide the whole bunch of companies of different sizes and sectors through the challenging immigration and onboarding and offboarding procedure.

We have helped companies to easily onboard, payroll and withdraw employees at the end of the employment agreement when it was needed based on their needs.

If you want to quickly and without risk get a work permit for your expatriate candidate, Acumen International can be your dedicated partner. We will guide you through all steps and advise on the documents required.

Note: we cannot shorten or affect the immigration procedure. However, we can make all necessary preparations so that you can onboard the employee immediately the permit or visa have been received.

We will ensure 100% compliance with the in-country labor legislation during the expats’ employment with Acumen International. Contact us for details on visa processing timelines and documents required to get a work permit in Kenya.

How Long Does a Kenyan Work Permit Take?

Typically, the procedure of work permit issuance in Kenya takes from 4 to 8 months until entry to Kenya, and a further 1 to 2 months before the whole process is completed.


4 Steps to Get a Work Permit in Kenya

  1. Entry Permit Class D Application
  2. E-Visa Application
  3. Entry to Kenya
  4. Re-Entry Pass Application

Work Permit Requirements in Kenya

Name Notes Copies
Copy of passport page valid for 2 years One clear copy; one copy
Proof of Suitable Qualifications Documentation proving the applicant suitability for the role – copy of diploma/degree/professional qualification – including all undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The copies should be certified by a lawyer in Kenya. One clear and certified copy
2 Colour Passport Photographs 2 passport-sized photographs (35mm x 45mm), in color. Photographs must be recently taken and must:

  • show a close-up of the applicant’s head and the top of his/her shoulders so that the face takes up 70%-80% of the photograph
  • show the individual looking directly at the camera;
  • have appropriate brightness and contrast.

In addition, the following should be noted:

  • Head coverings are not permitted, except for religious reasons; in such cases all facial features must be clearly shown.
  • Prescription spectacles or glasses may be worn; however, the eyes of the individual must be clearly visible and no sunglasses may be worn.
  • Photographs must be of a high quality with no ink marks, lines or creases and must not be damaged or defaced in any way.
Two originals
Processing fee 10 000 KSH will need to be paid on application in the form of a banker’s cheque, this is non-refundable and covers the cost of the application review. One original
CV/Resume Showing relevant professional experience and education. One clear copy
Return or onward flight booking, itinerary or airline ticket One clear copy
E-Visa Application Form To be completed online, printed out in two copies and then signed and stamped by the sponsoring entity. Two clear copies
Digital Photograph A digital passport photograph of maximum 500px x 500px One clear copy
E Visa Payment $51 paid online through Visa or MasterCard Credit or Debit cards. One original
Uploaded Copy of Passport Information Page Can be scanned copy or a photo. One clear copy
Passport Valid for 2 Years Original passport valid for over two years and containing at least two blank pages. One original
Registration Fee KES 2000 per person One original
Foreign Registration Application Form Completed online, printed and signed. One original
Foreign Registration Application Form Completed online, printed and signed. One original
Copy of passport information and visa pages Completed online, printed and signed. One clear and translated copy

Acumen Global Employer of Record Solution with Immigration Support in Kenya

If you need to have your expat personnel legally work for you in Kenya without having to set up your own business entity for that, trust us to assist you with work permit and immigration support, and then employ your expats locally on your behalf.

Contact our team to let us take up your foreign employees’ immigration matters and relieve you of the responsibility of getting work permit by working with our local partners to organize and obtain all the necessary permits, as well as provide you with a detailed update on the progress of the process.

Contact us for more details about how you can get a work permit for your expatriate staff and employ them through Acumen Global Employer of Record Solution with Immigration Support in Kenya.

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