Apply for Citizenship

Eligibility

1.  Become a Permanent Resident after Registration.
2. To swear, confirm, or pledge allegiance.
3. Demonstrate the ability to understand and speak the language of Swahili or a local dialect.
4. Be not convicted of any offense and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or longer. Proof of Police Clearance Certificate is required.
5. Be not declared bankrupt.
6. Have an adequate knowledge of Kenya and the duties and rights of citizens.
7. Have been residing in Kenya for a period of twelve months prior to the date of the application.
8. Have been ordinarily a resident in Kenya for a period of seven years.

Other requirements may apply

Kenyan citizenship may be obtained in one of the following ways:-

Citizenship by Birth

Citizenship is granted to a person who is a citizen by birth if on the day of the person’s birth, whether the person is born in Kenya or not, either the mother or father of the person is a Kenyan citizen.

Children born abroad and who have at least one parent with Kenyan citizenship, are considered Kenyan citizens by birth.

Citizenship by Registration

Citizenship is granted to a person upon making an application for the following categories of citizenship registration.

Eligible Citizenship

• Regaining Citizenship.
• Citizenship by Marriage.
• Dual Citizenship.
• Child of a Kenyan citizen by registration.
• Child Adoption by a Kenyan Citizen.

Registerable Citizenship

• Widows and Widowers.
• Lawful Resident.
• Stateless Persons.
• Migrants.
• Persons with Disability.
• Descendants of stateless Persons and Migrants.

Nationality Policy Basis for Granting Kenyan Citizenship
The grant of Kenyan citizenship is intended to contribute to the country's socio-economic development.

In this regard, the granting of Kenyan citizenship.

• Improve foreign investment in the country by increasing investor confidence.
• Increase remittances and investment from ex-Kenyans and Kenyans abroad.
• Reduce statelessness in the country in accordance with international law and promote the welfare of vulnerable people in Kenya.
• Contribute to the achievement of government programs by providing long-term residence to investors in key sectors of the economy.
• Improve job creation and government revenue generation through taxes.
• Improve family unity of husband and wife and children.

How to apply

You can now apply for Kenyan citizenship online.

You can access the Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal 

Here you can find all the information you need for citizenship and application, Alien Card, Permanent Residency, Pass, or Permit.

Eligibility

The day before you sign up to create and apply for an account, please ensure that you are eligible and meet all requirements for Kenyan citizenship.

Paying the application fees

Fees depend on the type of citizenship you are applying for.

Payment must be made online and a payment receipt will be automatically generated. Please do not pay the fee until you are ready to submit your application and upload all required documents.

Be sure to include proof of payment with your online application. The fee may include:

• Citizenship Act Fee
• Processing Fee

The application fee is non-refundable

Submit Application

Make sure you

• Sign the application form
•  Date the form the day you sign it (do not use past or future date)

Once you have completed your application and payment (if required), click Upload on your dashboard to submit your signed application and required requirements.

Appointments

• For applications that require biometrics to be obtained and scheduled, an appointment must be made after the online application has been successfully submitted and paid.
• After successfully booking an appointment, print the appointment reservation slip and submit it to the immigration offices accompanied by online application forms and all the required attachments.

Important Points to Note

• Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Submit the completed application and all documents on the checklist to the Immigration Center in Nairobi or the Kenya Overseas Mission in the country of origin.