The Kenya Foreign Nationals Portal of the Department of Immigration Services gives information on the application for an alien card, pass, permit, or citizenship. There is an option to create a single sign-on account to access other government digital services and make payments using various methods.
efns kenya
The Kenyan government’s Department of Immigration Services, under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, has an electronic portal called the Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS). It allows you to apply for and pay for various services such as a Pass, Permit, Alien card, Permanent Residence, or Kenyan Citizenship using credit cards or mobile money.
There are various services available on the Kenya electronic Foreign Nationals Services portal. To make online applications and check application status, the users must go through the online user registration or account creation process.
Create efns Account
Go to the account creation page – https://fns.immigration.go.ke/account/register-step-citizen.php.
- First of all, select the Account Type. Choose from Kenya Citizens, Foreigns Citizens & Others
- You will be asked to enter the relevant information depending on your chosen option.
efns Kenya immigration Portal Login
- Go to the Login page – https://fns.immigration.go.ke/account/
You have two login options :
- Login using the eFns account
- Login using the ecitizen Account
- If you have created the eFns account, use the first option, else you can sign in using the ecitizen account.
- After you choose the option of your choice, you will be redirected to the relevant portal.
- Then, enter your username and password.
- After the login details are validated, your efns kenya portal login process will be completed.
If you log in using the ecitizen account, you need to authorize it.
Note: Foreign citizens need to provide Alien Number, Resident Kenyans need to provide their National ID etc.
Services Available on the efns portal
#1 Citizenship :
This service is for applicants seeking Kenyan citizenship registration. This service is mandated under the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, the 2011 Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, the 2011 Kenya Citizens and Foreign Nationals Management Service Act, and the 2012 Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations.
These are various types of citizenships:
| Dual Citizenship | Section 8(3) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 states that every dual citizen must disclose his or her other citizenship appropriately within three months of becoming a dual citizen. Section 8(4) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 states that a dual citizen who fails to disclose dual citizenship in an authorised manner is guilty of an offence punishable by a fine of up to five million shillings or imprisonment for up to three years, or both. |
| Endorsement | Section 8(1) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulation 2012 states that the passport of any other country held by a dual citizen may be endorsed to reflect that the holder is a citizen of Kenya upon application by the bearer. |
| Regaining Kenya Citizenship | The 2011 Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, Section 10(1), states: A person who was a citizen of Kenya by birth but lost that status after acquiring the citizenship of another country may appropriately apply to the Cabinet Secretary to reclaim Kenyan citizenship. The application under subsection (1) must be accompanied by: evidence of the applicant’s previous Kenyan citizenship, evidence of the applicant’s other citizenship; |
| Citizenship by Marriage | Section 11 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 stipulates that a person who has been married to a Kenyan citizen for at least seven years is allowed to be registered as a Kenyan citizen upon application in the specified manner, providing they meet specific requirements. the marriage was solemnised under a system of law recognised in Kenya, whether solemnised in Kenya or outside Kenya; the applicant has not been declared a prohibited immigrant under this Act or any other law; the applicant has not been convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or longer; the marriage was not entered into to acquire status or privilege to immigration or citizenship; and the applicant’s spouse is a Kenyan citizen or permanent resident. |
| Widows and Widowers | According to subsection 12(1) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011,A foreign national who has been married to a citizen who, but for the citizen’s death, would have been eligible for registration as a citizen of Kenya after seven years under section 11 shall be deemed to be lawfully present in Kenya for the unexpired portion of the seven years and shall be eligible for registration as a citizen on the application in the prescribed manner upon expiry of the seven years. A widow or widower who has sought registration under this section shall be subject to the conditions for registration outlined in section 11. A widow or widower who marries a non-citizen before the expiration of the seven years is ineligible to acquire citizenship by registration under this provision. |
| Lawful Residents | The 2011 Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, Section 13(1), states: A person of the age of majority and capacity who has been lawfully resident in Kenya for at least seven years may apply to be registered as a citizen if he or she: has been ordinarily resident in Kenya for seven years immediately preceding the date of application; has been a resident under the authority of a valid permit or has been exempted by the Cabinet Secretary, per section 34(3)(h); and has been ordinarily resident in Kenya for seven years immediately. |
| Children/Adopted Children | The 2011 Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, Section 13(3), states: On application by a parent or legal guardian, a child of a citizen by registration who was born before the parent acquired citizenship may be registered as a Kenyan citizen upon production of documents conferring Kenyan citizenship to any of the parents; the output of the child’s birth certificate; and proof of the child’s lawful residence in Kenya. The 2011 Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, Section 14 provides: A child who is not a citizen but has been adopted by a citizen is entitled to be registered as a citizen upon application in the prescribed manner by the adopting parent or legal guardian; the production of proof of the Kenyan citizenship of the adopting parent; the production of a valid adoption certificate issued in a reciprocating state or other jurisdiction whose orders, decrees are recognised in Kenya; and proof of the child’s lawful residence in Kenya. |
| Persons with Disability | The 2011 Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, Section 13(4), states: A child or person with a disability who is a dependant of a biological parent or legal guardian who is a citizen of Kenya by registration shall be registered as a citizen upon an application made on their behalf in a prescribed manner, upon—production of documents conferring Kenyan citizenship to any of the parents or the legal guardian; the output of the child’s or the person with disability’s birth certificate; and proof of the child’s or the person with disability’s lawful residence. |
| Stateless Persons | The 2011 Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, Section 15 states: A person who does not have an enforceable claim to the citizenship of any recognised state and who has been living in Kenya for a continuous period since December 12, 1963, shall be deemed to have been lawfully resident and may, on application and in the prescribed manner, be eligible to be registered as a citizen of Kenya if he or she: possesses adequate knowledge of Kiswahili or a local dialect; has not been convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a tertiary term; |
| Migrants | The 2011 Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, Section 16, stipulates: A person who voluntarily migrated into Kenya before the 12th of December, 1963, and has been continuously living in Kenya shall be deemed to have been lawfully resident and may, on the application in a prescribed manner, be eligible to be registered as a citizen of Kenya if that person— does not hold a passport or an identification document of another country; has adequate knowledge of Kiswahili or a local dialect; has not been convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment; and has not been deported from |
| Descendants of Stateless Persons and Migrants | The 2011 Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, Section 17, stipulates: A person who has attained the age of eighteen and whose parents are or, in the case of deceased parents, were eligible to be registered as a citizen under sections 15 and 16 of this Act may, upon application in the prescribed manner, be registered as a citizen of Kenya if: there is sufficient proof that the parents of that person fall within the class of persons referred to in sections 15 and 16 of this Act; the person was born in Kenya and had been continuously living in Kenya since birth; the person was born in Kenya. |
| Voluntary Renunciation of Kenyan Citizenship | According to subsection 19 (1) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011, When a Kenyan citizen by birth makes a voluntary declaration of renunciation of Kenyan citizenship under regulations, the Cabinet Secretary shall register the declaration. |
#2 Foreign Nationals Certificate (Alien Card), Re-entry pass, Extension of Visitor’s Pass
Foreign Nationals Certificate (Alien Card) Application: Part VII (56) 2 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011 governs the registration of foreign nationals. All foreigners residing in Kenya for more than 90 days are required by law to register.
Reentry Pass Application: Re-entry permits are exclusively provided to dependent pass holders.
Extension of Visitor’s Pass: This pass is provided to anyone with a valid visitor’s pass who wishes to extend their stay in the nation.
#3 Permanent Residency
Permanent residency is a status granted under section 37 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011, as read with the regulations to former Kenyan citizens, children of Kenyan citizens born abroad, spouses of Kenyan citizens, and persons who have held work permits in Kenya for at least seven years, along with their spouses and children.
Following are the application categories
(Category A) Application of Permanent Residency by Ex-Citizens of Kenya: This category applies to applicants who were Kenyan citizens at birth but have since renounced or lost their citizenship and/or are prohibited from holding dual citizenship by their country of residence. Applicant’s children and spouses may also apply.
(Category B) Application of Permanent Residency by holders of Work permits: This category pertains to applicants who have held Kenya work permits for at least seven years and who have consistently resided in the country for the three years immediately preceding their application for permanent residence. In addition, their spouses and children are included.
(Category C) Application of Permanent Residency by Children of Kenya Citizens: This category relates to children of Kenyan nationals who were born abroad and have acquired citizenship of their country of residence or domicile.
(Category D) Application of Permanent Residency by Spouses of Kenya Citizens: This pass is provided to anyone with a valid visitor’s pass who wishes to extend their stay in the nation.
#4 Permits
A Work Permit is a document issued by the Director of Immigration Services, following section 40 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011, that allows foreign nationals to enter Kenya and engage in trade, prospecting, farming, business, professional employment, missionary activities, or even to reside in Kenya.
| Permit (Class A) Application | This permit is provided to a person who plans to engage in mineral prospecting or mining in Kenya, whether alone or in partnership. |
| Class B: (Agriculture and Animal husbandry) | This licence is provided to those who wish to engage in agriculture or animal husbandry in Kenya on their own or in collaboration. |
| Class C: (Prescribed profession) | This permit is provided to a member of a prescribed profession who intends to practise that profession in Kenya on their own or in partnership. |
| Class D:(Employment) | This permit is issued to a person who a specific employer has offered specific employment, the government of Kenya, or any other person or authority under the control of the government, or an approved technical aid scheme under the United Nations Organization or another approved Agency (who is not exempt under section 34 (3), possesses skills or qualifications that are not available in Kenya, and whose engagement in that employment will be of b) benefit to Kenya). |
| Class F:(Specific manufacturing) | This permit is provided to a person who wants to manufacture a particular product in Kenya, alone or in cooperation. |
| Class G:(Specific trade, business or consultancy) | This permit is provided to a person who plans to participate in a particular trade, business, consulting, or profession (other than a permitted profession) in Kenya, whether alone or in partnership. |
| Class I: (Approved religious or charitable activities) | This permit is provided to a missionary who is a member of an organisation registered under the Society’s Act, a member of a corporation limited by guarantee, or a member of a trust established under the Trustees Act and whose presence in Kenya will be beneficial to Kenya. |
| Class K:(Ordinary residents) | This permit is provided to a person at least 35 years old. It has an assured annual income of at least the stipulated amount from sources other than employment, occupation, trade, business, or profession described in any of the classifications listed in this Schedule. |
| Class M:(Refugees) | This permission is awarded to those granted refugee status in Kenya by Kenyan refugee law and their spouses if they want to engage in employment or a specified occupation, trade, company, or profession. |
| Exemption | This permit is provided to any individual, group, or classification exempted from acquiring a work permit by a cabinet secretary’s notification in the gazette. (2011 Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, Section 34(3)(g)). |
#5 Passes
Kenya issues three (3) primary categories of passes: special passes, dependent passes, and student/research/internship passes. These are outlined in Section 26 of the 2012 Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations.
Kenya Special Pass Application: This document is provided by Regulation 34 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations, 2012, to individuals who desire to enter or remain in Kenya for a limited time to engage in business, trade, or profession temporarily.
Dependant Pass Application: This document is granted to a person whose spouse, parent, or guardian is authorised to visit Kenya by section 27 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations, 2012. (1).
Kenya Student/Internship/Research Pass Application: This document is supplied to applicants (foreign students) (section 30(1) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations 2012) who seek to further their studies at one of Kenya’s Education or Training Institutions where they have been approved or admitted. A recognised Educational or Training Institution must accept the applicant (international student) as a student.
Contacts
| [email protected] | |
| https://twitter.com/efnshelp |
Important Links
| Official Website | https://fns.immigration.go.ke |
| efns portal Login | Login Now |
| Create efns Account | Create Now |
Related FAQs
How to register for efns online services?
To make online applications, the applicants need to register first. They may also register with an ecitizen account, but you should create an efns account.
Who cannot register using an e Citizen account?
evisa or a business e Citizen account holders cannot signup using their ecitizen account.
How long can the applicant expect permanent residency after application?
It takes anywhere from 3 months to one year.
