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Referred Visa

Kenya

Kenya•Africa

Open

Referred Visa

Tourist

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–2 months

Estimated Cost

$62 USD

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

3 months

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Overview

A Referred Visa is a category for nationals of specific countries, stateless persons, or individuals for whom there is a security or administrative concern. These applications must be referred to the Director of Immigration Services in Nairobi for approval before a visa can be issued.

The Referred Visa is a high-scrutiny entry permit for individuals from specific countries or those flagged for security reasons. Because it requires manual approval from the Director of Immigration Services in Nairobi, it is not available through the automated e-Visa system. Applicants are strongly advised against making travel arrangements until formal approval is received.

Cost Breakdown

Visa Fee$51 USD

Processing Fee$11 USD

Total$62 USD

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

3 months

Eligible Nationalities (17)

Afghanistan

Afghanistan Armenia

Armenia

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan

Cameroon

Cameroon

North Korea

North Korea Eritrea

Eritrea

Eritrea

Iraq

Iraq

Kosovo

Kosovo

Lebanon

Lebanon

Libya

Libya

Mali

Mali

Palestinian Territories

Palestinian Territories Senegal

Senegal

Senegal

Somalia

Somalia

Syria

Syria

Tajikistan

Tajikistan Yemen

Yemen

Yemen

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Class A — Work Permit Class A - Mining and Prospecting (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja A)

Kenya

Class A — Work Permit Class A - Mining and Prospecting (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja A)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)

ProcessingVaries

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Work Permit Class B - Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja B)

Kenya

Work Permit Class B - Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja B)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)

ProcessingVaries

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Class C — Work Permit Class C - Prescribed Professions (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja C)

Kenya

Class C — Work Permit Class C - Prescribed Professions (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja C)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)

ProcessingVaries

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Class D — Work Permit Class D - Specific Employment (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja D)

Kenya

Class D — Work Permit Class D - Specific Employment (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja D)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)

ProcessingVaries

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Class F — Work Permit Class F - Manufacturing (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja F)

Kenya

Class F — Work Permit Class F - Manufacturing (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja F)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)

ProcessingVaries

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Class G — Work Permit Class G - Self-Employment / Freelance

Kenya

Class G — Work Permit Class G - Self-Employment / Freelance

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)

ProcessingVaries

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Class I — Work Permit Class I - Religious and Missionary Activities (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja I)

Kenya

Class I — Work Permit Class I - Religious and Missionary Activities (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja I)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)

ProcessingVaries

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Class K — Work Permit Class K - Ordinary Resident / Retiree (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja K)

Kenya

Class K — Work Permit Class K - Ordinary Resident / Retiree (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja K)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)

ProcessingVaries

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Class M — Work Permit Class M - Refugee Employment (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja M)

Kenya

Class M — Work Permit Class M - Refugee Employment (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja M)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)

ProcessingVaries

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KEP/N — Work Permit Class N - Digital Nomad (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja N)

Kenya

KEP/N — Work Permit Class N - Digital Nomad (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja N)

Validity2 years

ProcessingVaries

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Class P — Work Permit Class P - International Organization Staff (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja P)

Kenya

Class P — Work Permit Class P - International Organization Staff (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja P)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)

ProcessingVaries

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Class Q — Work Permit Class Q - Charitable Organization Professionals (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja Q)

Kenya

Class Q — Work Permit Class Q - Charitable Organization Professionals (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja Q)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)

ProcessingVaries

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Class R — Work Permit Class R - EAC Nationals (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja R)

Kenya

Class R — Work Permit Class R - EAC Nationals (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja R)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)

ProcessingVaries

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Student Pass (Pasi ya Mwanafunzi)

Kenya

Student Pass (Pasi ya Mwanafunzi)

ValidityVaries (Valid for length of academic program)

ProcessingVaries

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Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a national of a country on the Referred Visa list or meet specific security/administrative criteria.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Duly filled application forms (often Form 22)

Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)

Cover letter explaining the reason for the visit

Invitation letter from a host in Kenya, including a copy of their National ID/Passport

Proof of travel itinerary

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows entry for nationals from restricted or high-scrutiny countries

Worth Knowing

High-scrutiny manual process
Long processing times
Cannot be applied for via the standard e-Visa portal
Security or administrative concerns
Incomplete documentation

Application Process

1

Prepare application documents

2

Submit application through the nearest Kenyan Embassy or Consulate

3

Wait for referral and approval from the Director of Immigration Services in Nairobi

4

Collect visa upon approval

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