The work permit foreign import/export business owners need in Kenya is specific, and getting it wrong — or assuming a tourist or business visa covers running an actual trading operation — is a genuine legal risk that has nothing to do with customs compliance and everything to do with immigration law. If you’re a foreign national planning to establish and actively run an import, export, or trading business in Kenya, the Class G Investor Permit is almost certainly the authorisation you need before you do anything else.

What the Class G Permit Actually Covers

The Class G Permit, issued under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 by the Directorate of Immigration Services, is specifically designed for foreign nationals who intend to establish and actively manage a business in Kenya — explicitly including import/export businesses, retail trading, and consultancy operations, alongside other specific trades. This is distinct from the other work permit categories covering employment, mining, agriculture, or manufacturing specifically — Class G is the general-purpose category for someone starting or running their own trading operation, rather than being employed by an existing Kenyan company.

The USD 100,000 Investment Threshold

This is the core eligibility requirement, and it’s non-negotiable: applicants must provide verifiable, documentary proof of capital investment of at least USD 100,000 (or its equivalent in another currency), deposited into a Kenyan company bank account — which itself must be opened in person, not remotely. A few practical details worth knowing:

This capital must genuinely be committed to the Kenyan business, not simply shown as available funds elsewhere
Passive investment — simply holding shares without an active business plan — is generally insufficient on its own
Applicants need to demonstrate the investment creates job opportunities for Kenyans, tying the permit’s approval to genuine economic contribution, not just capital deployment

The Full Documentation Checklist

A complete Class G application typically requires:

A signed cover letter from the applicant or company, addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services, summarising the business and investment
Valid Tax Compliance Certificates — for the company (new applications) and, for renewals, for both the company and the individual
Documentary proof of the USD 100,000 capital investment, verified through a Kenyan bank statement
Company registration documents — certificate of incorporation, articles and memorandum, and CR12
Company and individual KRA PIN details
Form 25 (new permit application) and Form 27, filed through the eFNS portal

Some applicants also obtain an Investment Certificate from the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), which formally recognises the investment and can strengthen an application, though the permit itself is issued exclusively by the Directorate of Immigration Services.

What It Costs

The official fee structure, as most recently published, includes a KES 20,000 non-refundable processing fee, and — once approved — a KES 250,000 per year issuance fee. Given fees and specific requirements are confirmed against the live eFNS system at the time of filing, it’s worth verifying the current exact figures directly rather than relying solely on a fixed reference, since immigration fee schedules can be adjusted.

The Application Sequence

Register a legal entity in Kenya through the Business Registration Service
Obtain a KRA PIN for the newly registered business
Open a company bank account in Kenya, in person
Deposit the USD 100,000 (or equivalent) capital investment into that account
Gather the full documentation checklist, including tax compliance certificates and company registration documents
Apply through the eFNS portal, completing Form 25 and Form 27
Await processing, typically taking 1 to 3 months assuming complete, accurate documentation

Why “Active Business” Matters More Than You’d Think

A detail worth internalising: this permit is fundamentally about active business engagement, not passive investment or ownership alone. This has practical implications for how your business plan and application should be framed — demonstrating a genuine operational role in running the import/export business, not just capital ownership, strengthens an application considerably. For anyone planning to set up a Kenyan trading entity while remaining largely hands-off personally, this is worth discussing directly with an immigration specialist, since the permit’s design assumes genuine active management.

Getting Your Immigration Status Right Before You Start Importing

For a foreign national planning to run an import or export business from Kenya, this permit isn’t a background administrative detail — it’s the legal foundation that makes your presence and role in the business lawful at all, separate entirely from the customs and clearing compliance your actual trading activity will require once operational.

At Clearon Logistics, while Class G permit applications sit with immigration specialists and the Directorate of Immigration Services directly, we help foreign-owned trading businesses navigate the customs and clearing side of getting their import/export operations running once their permit and company registration are in place.

Setting up an import/export business in Kenya as a foreign national? Talk to Clearon Logistics about the customs and clearing side of your new operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Class G permit to import goods into Kenya as a foreign business owner? If you’re establishing and actively managing an import/export business in Kenya, yes — Class G is specifically designed for this category, distinct from tourist or other visa types that don’t authorise running a business.

Is the USD 100,000 investment requirement negotiable? No — it’s a firm eligibility threshold, requiring documentary proof verified through a Kenyan bank statement, with the funds genuinely committed to the business, not simply available elsewhere.

Are EAC nationals exempt from the Class G requirements? No — East African Community nationals are still treated as foreigners for work permit purposes and must meet the same capital and documentation criteria, though they may benefit from fee waivers in some cases.

How long does Class G permit processing typically take? Around 1 to 3 months, assuming complete and accurate documentation with no delays — incomplete applications can extend this considerably.