Kenya Student Pass (Class M Study Permit)
Category: Student · Processing time: 2-6 weeks (Highly dependent on institutional vetting queues and eFNS processing backlogs).
Review due soon
Apply through official authority
Department of Immigration Services
Always submit applications through the official source. Last verified 2026-06-23.
Visa type
Student
Processing time
2-6 weeks (Highly dependent on institutional vetting queues and eFNS processing backlogs).
Fees
Non_EAC_National_Pass_Fee: USD 100 per year
Validity
Typically issued for 1 to 2 years initially, directly tied to the duration of the current academic cycle.
Stay duration
Long-term (renewable sequentially for the remaining duration of the academic study program).
Entry type
Confirm single/multiple entry rules
Insurance
Confirm if required
Bookmark
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Overview
Authorizes legal entry and long-term residency for full-time educational study in Kenya. Path to PR: No.
- Leads to permanent residency: No
- Requires job offer: No
- Language required: No
- Minimum education: Completion of primary or secondary education contextually relevant to the admitting course level.
- Financial requirement: Must provide a commitment/sponsorship letter alongside 3 months of certified bank statements showing sufficient personal or guardian liquid assets to cover tuition and local room/board.
- Accommodation proof: Yes (The host institution's physical location and the student's intended residential address must be documented on Form 30).
Estimated Costs
- - Non_EAC_National_Pass_Fee: USD 100 per year
- - EAC_National_Pass_Fee: Gratis (Fee-exempt)
- - Pre_Travel_eTA_Fee: USD 34.09
- - Annual_Alien_Card_Fee: KES 5,000
- - Alien_Card_Non_Compliance_Fine: KES 10,000
Required Documents
- - Valid National Passport (with at least 6 months validity remaining and blank pages)
- - Duly completed, signed, and institution-stamped Immigration Form 30
- - Official Admission Letter from the registered Kenyan institution
- - Detailed cover letter from the institution addressed to the Director of Immigration Services
- - Certified copies of basic academic certificates matching entry eligibility
- - Two recent passport-size colored photographs
- - Sponsor commitment letter alongside accompanying financial proof (bank statements)
- - Valid Police Clearance Certificate from the home country (for adult applicants)
Application Steps
- Secure formal admission to a registered Kenyan school and obtain an admission letter alongside a cover letter from the institution.
- Have the school fill out, stamp, and sign the official Immigration Form 30.
- Create or log into an account on the Government of Kenya Single Sign-On system to access the eFNS portal.
- Submit the Student Pass application online, uploading all identity, financial, and institutional documents.
- Apply for and obtain an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) for USD 34.09 to facilitate physical travel into Kenya.
- Upon approval of the pass on eFNS, pay the required USD 100 annual fee.
- Present your passport at the Department of Immigration headquarters (Nyayo House, Nairobi) for physical pass endorsement, and apply for your mandatory KES 5,000 Alien Card if staying past 90 days.
Always confirm the latest steps and forms on the official portal: Department of Immigration Services →
Travel Insurance Requirement
- Mandatory: Confirm with official source
- Minimum coverage: Confirm current coverage rules
- Valid regions: Confirm accepted regions
- Approved providers: Use providers accepted by the official authority
Embassy, Consulate & Appointments
Embassy, consulate, jurisdiction, and appointment details vary by applicant location. Confirm the correct office before booking travel or paying fees.
Open appointment or official portal →Browse foreign embassies in Kenya (MigrantIQ directory) →
Directory listings are for planning only — not legal advice. Confirm jurisdiction and appointment rules on the official portal.
Application checklist
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Benefits & What This Visa Allows
- - Long-stay permission tied to course duration
- - Often allows limited part-time work
- - Pathways to post-study work permits in many destinations
- - Family / dependant accompaniment available in many countries
Trust & safety
Before you pay or submit documents
Use the official portal for applications and payments. Be careful with agents who guarantee approval, ask for personal-account transfers, or pressure you to send originals before a written contract.
Relevant laws
- Immigration Status and Overstay Rules
Immigration · Severity: Critical
Your right to stay in Kenya depends on the exact visa, residence permit, entry stamp, or visa-free allowance you hold. Do not assume a pending application, job offer, or school admission auto
- Work Authorisation Rules
Employment · Severity: Critical
In Kenya, a visa that allows entry does not always allow work. Paid employment, freelancing, remote work, internships, and trial shifts may each have different permission rules.
- Tax Residency and Income Reporting
Tax · Severity: High
Living in Kenya for long enough, working locally, or registering as a resident may trigger tax-residency or income-reporting duties even if your income is paid from abroad.
Active scam alerts
Some agents overcharge newcomers for translations, notarisation, apostilles, or courier services for Kenya, and may produce documents that are not accepted by official authorities.
Scammers impersonate airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents and claim you must pay a special fee to enter Kenya, avoid questioning, release documents, or fast-track border chec
Fraudsters offer admission, scholarships, or student visa packages for Kenya through unofficial agents. Victims may receive fake acceptance letters that fail verification during visa processi
Scammers advertise fake apartments in Kenya, pressure newcomers to transfer a deposit before viewing, and disappear after sending a fake lease or copied property photos.
Quick Eligibility Check
Use this self-check for Student Visa. It does not replace official legal assessment.
Common Rejection Reasons
- - Submitting an application with a Form 30 that lacks the official wet-ink signature or registration stamp of the educational institution.
- - The institution is not recognized or registered by the Commission for University Education (CUE) or TVETA.
- - Insufficient proof of legal source of funds or unstable financial statements from the designated guardian/sponsor.
- - Attempting to switch to or renew a pass with an active school attendance record falling below institutional compliance minimums.
Application Tips
- - Do not attempt to study while holding a standard tourist entry status; doing so violates local immigration laws and risks immediate deportation.
- - Be sure to request the physical verification copy of your eFNS approval before heading down to Nyayo House in Nairobi to complete passport endorsement.
- - If your course includes an internship, ensure you apply for an explicit Internship or Research Pass alternative if your core Student Pass parameters do not feature specialized clinical/work placements.
- - Remember to apply for your physical Alien Card within 90 days of arrival to prevent paying the automatic KES 10,000 failure-to-register fine.
Sources & References
Use these references for verification. Official government and appointment portals override summary guidance on MigrantIQ.
- Department of Immigration Services
Official source for forms, appointments, fees, and final requirements.
- MigrantIQ visa record
Summary record maintained for planning and source verification.
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Frequently Asked Questions
This visa is designed for applicants matching Student pathway criteria.
Typical processing time is 2-6 weeks (Highly dependent on institutional vetting queues and eFNS processing backlogs)., subject to documentation quality and application volume.
Start with eligibility evidence, document checklists, and proof of funds before submitting.
