According to the Kenya Department of Immigration, there are four ways to obtain permanent residence as defined in section 37 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act:

• (Category A) settlement for former Kenyan citizens
• (Category B) permanent residence for work permit holders
• (Category C) settlement for children of Kenyan citizens
• (Category D) spouses of Kenyan citizens

Obtaining permanent residence in Kenya through work

Migrants who have a work permit in Kenya for at least seven years and have been residing in the country for the last three years can apply for permanent residence. The spouse and children of the main applicant can also apply for permanent residence at the same time. The immigration handbook also states that "applicants must demonstrate a strong position to make a tangible contribution to the country's socio-economic development, so priority will be given to investors and highly qualified professionals." Therefore, there are no guarantees of obtaining a PR in Kenya based on your work experience, but people with investment capital and/or experience and high qualifications will have a clear advantage.

To apply for a work-based PR, you need to

1. Create an account on the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal;
2. After logging into the eFNS portal, select the "Apply Now" link;
3. Go to the "Apply" tab and select the "permanent residence" tab;
4. After completing the application form, you will need to make a payment;
5. After submitting your application, you will receive updates by email and in your account about the progress of your application.
6. You may also be required to attend an interview.

Permanent residence for a child of a Kenyan citizen

Children of Kenyan nationals born outside of Kenya may be eligible for permanent residence. To apply, you need to create an account on the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal and fill out the PR form for children of Kenyan citizens.

In addition to filling out the form and paying the registration fee, applicants must also provide the following documents:

• Application letter;
• A printed and duly completed application for permanent residence (Form 23) signed and stamped by a magistrate/commissioner under oath;
• Certified copies of the applicant's birth certificate;
• Certified copies of parents' birth certificates/Kenyan passports/identity cards (proof of Kenyan citizenship);
• A certified copy of a valid international passport;
• Two passport size photographs;
• A copy of the police clearance certificate.

Permanent residence permit as a spouse of a Kenyan citizen

Permanent residence category D is available for foreign spouses of Kenyan citizens. To apply, you must be married to a Kenyan citizen for at least three years. The application and payment of the fee is done through an account on the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal.

The Kenyan immigration authorities note that applicants must provide the following information in their application:

• A letter of application written by the Kenyan spouse;
• A printed and duly completed permanent residence application form (Form 23), signed and stamped by a magistrate/commissioner under oath;
• Certificate of no criminal record (original);
• A certified copy of the marriage certificate;
• Copies of your Kenyan spouse's passport or birth certificate;
• A copy of your passport/birth certificate/of your foreign spouse;
• Two passport size photographs (an electronic copy will also be required at the time of application);
• A copy of a valid foreign identity card (passport).

Acquisition of citizenship by the spouse of a Kenyan citizen

Section 11 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 provides that a person who has been married to a Kenyan citizen for not less than seven years is entitled, on application made in the prescribed manner, to be registered as a Kenyan citizen if

• the marriage was concluded in accordance with the legal system recognized in Kenya, regardless of whether it was concluded in Kenya or abroad
• the applicant has not been declared a prohibited immigrant;
• the applicant has not been sentenced to imprisonment for three years or more;
• the marriage existed at the time of application.

To apply, you need to create an account to log in to the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal. After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the "Apply Now" link, click on the "Apply" tab and select the "Citizenship by Marriage" tab. After your application is processed, an invoice will be generated, which you can view by clicking on the "dashboard" and then on the "Payments" tab. After payment and submission of all documents, you will receive automatic notifications by e-mail and in your online account about the progress of your application.

Obtaining citizenship as a widow/widower of a Kenyan citizen

Section 12(1) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 provides that an alien who was married to a Kenyan citizen and who, but for the death of the citizen, would have been entitled to be a registered citizen of Kenya under section 11, shall also be entitled to be a registered citizen upon application in the prescribed manner.

To apply, you need to create an account to log in to the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal. After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the "Apply Now" link, click on the "Apply" tab and select the "Widows/Widowers" tab. After your application is processed, an invoice will be generated, which you can view by clicking on the "Dashboard" and then on the "Payments" tab. After payment and submission of all documents, you will receive automatic notifications by e-mail and in your online account about the progress of your application.

Application for registration of a Kenyan citizen from among legal residents

Section 13(1) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 provides that if a person is of legal age and has been lawfully resident in Kenya for a continuous period of not less than seven years, he or she may, on application, be registered as a citizen.

If the person

• has lived in Kenya for seven years;
• does not enjoy privileges and immunities under the Privileges and Immunities Act (Cap. 179)
• has sufficient knowledge of Kenya and the duties and rights of citizens as contained in this law
• understands and speaks Swahili or a local dialect;
• has not been convicted of a crime and has not been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or more;
• convince the Secretary to the Cabinet that he/she intends to reside in Kenya after registration;
• it has been determined and substantiated in writing by objective criteria that he or she has made or is capable of making a significant contribution to the progress or advancement of any area of national development in Kenya;
• has not been declared bankrupt.

To apply, you need to create an account to log in to the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal. After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the "Apply Now" link, go to the "Apply" tab and select the "Legal residence" tab. After your application is processed, an invoice will be created, which you can view by clicking on the "Dashboard" and then on the "Payments" tab. After payment and submission of all documents, you will receive automatic notifications by e-mail and in your online account about the progress of your application.

How to obtain Kenyan citizenship for a child

Section 13 (3) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 provides that a child born before one of the parents acquired citizenship may, on application by one of the parents or legal guardian, be registered as a Kenyan citizen.

To do this, you must submit 

• A document confirming the Kenyan citizenship of one of the parents;
• The child's birth certificate; 
• Proof of legal residence of the child in Kenya.

Section 14 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 provides that a child who is not a Kenyan citizen but is adopted by a Kenyan citizen is entitled to be registered as a citizen upon application by the adoptive parent or guardian.

To do this, you must submit

• A document confirming the adoptive parent's Kenyan citizenship;
• A valid certificate of adoption; 
• Proof of legal residence of the child in Kenya.

To submit an application, you need to create an account to log in to the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal. After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the "Apply Now" link, go to the "Apply" tab and select the "Children/Adopted Children" tab. After your application is processed, an invoice will be generated, which you can view by clicking on the "dashboard" and then on the "Payment" tab. After payment and submission of all documents, you will receive automatic notifications by e-mail and in your online account about the progress of your application.

How to obtain Kenyan citizenship for people with disabilities

Section 13(4) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 provides that a person with a disability who is dependent on a legal guardian who is a Kenyan citizen shall, on an application made on his/her behalf in the prescribed manner, be registered as a Kenyan citizen.

To do this, you must submit

• A document confirming that the legal guardian has Kenyan citizenship;
• Birth certificate of a person with a disability; 
• Proof of legal residence of a person with a disability in Kenya.
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To apply, you need to create an account to log in to the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal. After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the "Apply Now" link, click on the "Apply" tab and select the "Persons with Disabilities" tab. After your application is processed, an invoice will be generated, which you can view by clicking on the "Dashboard" and then on the "Payment" tab. After payment and submission of all documents, you will receive automatic notifications by e-mail and in your online account about the progress of your application.

How a migrant can obtain Kenyan citizenship

Section 16 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 provides that a person who has voluntarily migrated to Kenya and is permanently residing in Kenya shall be deemed to be lawfully residing and may, on application in the prescribed manner, be eligible for registration as a Kenyan citizen if the person

• Does not hold a passport or identity document of any other country;
• speaks the Swahili language or a local dialect;
• Has not been convicted of a crime and has not been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or more;
• intends to continue to reside permanently in Kenya after registration as a citizen or to maintain close and permanent ties with Kenya; 
• understand the rights and obligations of a citizen.

To apply, you will need to create an account to log in to the Kenyan government's single sign-on portal. After logging in to the eFNS portal, select the "Apply Now" link, go to the "Apply" tab and select the "migrant" tab. After your application is processed, an invoice will be generated, which you can view by clicking on the "Dashboard" and then on the "Payments" tab. After payment and submission of all documents, you will receive automatic notifications by e-mail and in your online account about the progress of your application.