Living in Kenya
Advice
Information forabout Britishmoving peopleto, living inor Kenya,retiring includingin informationKenya on– health,including education,visas, benefits,working, residencehealthcare requirements and more.driving.
- From:
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Published
- 4 December 2022
- Last updated
-
828OctoberJanuary20242026 — See all updates
This
Getting guidehelp setswith outliving essentialin informationKenya for
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Help from the UK government
SupportRead the travel advice for BritishKenya Nationalsto Abroad:understand Athe Guiderisks setsyou outmay howface Britishif nationalsyou canlive stayin safeor abroadvisit andKenya. howThis includes the FCDOlatest caninformation helpon:
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ifandyouentrydorequirements - laws
getandintoculturaldifficulty.differences - safety and security
Read generalour guidance on movingon moving, living or retiring abroad.
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SeeRead ourabout laws and cultural differences in safety and security in the travel advice for KenyaKenya. forThis up-to-dateincludes:
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informationdrugsonandentryprisonrequirements,sentences - LGBT+
locallaws - wildlife,
andanimalcustoms,productssafetyandemergencies.souvenirs
VisasVisas, residency and residencycitizenship
CheckMake sure you meet the entry requirements for Kenya inbefore ouryou travel advice.travel.
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Visas and nationalsresidence needpermits
Kenya tohas applyreplaced forits anvisas Electronicwith electronic Travel AuthorisationAuthorisations (ETA),(eTAs).
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For departure.more Itinformation, iscontact notElectronic possibleTravel toAuthorisation get(eTA) an ETA on arrival.Services.
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YouFor shouldmore beinformation, awareread thatguidance:
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HealthcareRegistering inas Kenya
a resident
SeeTo informationstay on health in Kenya. Alsofor seelonger thethan FCDO’s list90 ofdays medicalyou facilitiesneed into Kenyaregister your residency and apply for a Foreign National Certificate (Alien Card).
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Permanent medicalresidency
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facilitythewithoutKenyanadequateDirectorateinsuranceofcanImmigrationbeServices
Citizenship
Kenya prohibitivelyrecognises expensive.dual Privatecitizenship. healthThis insurancemeans maythat beyou provideddo bynot yourhave employerto ingive Kenya.up If(renounce) not,your youBritish shouldcitizenship arrangeto comprehensivebecome healtha insuranceKenyan before you arrive.citizen.
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Medicine
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The anyBritish medication,High youCommission shouldin ensureNairobi youcannot havehelp awith supplyKenyan ofvisa, it,residency or arecitizenship ableapplications.
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notKenyabeHighavailableCommission in London - a lawyer in Kenya
Passports (includingand majortravel
Read brandsour readilyguidance availableon inmoving, theliving UK),or andretiring youabroad. mayThis becovers prohibitedhow fromto:
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shouldurgentlyconsultwithout yourGPBritishbeforepassport
Dual citizens travelling to Kenyathe toUK
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Resident thechildren guidancetravelling ifwithout youa needparent toor travellegal with medicines
Medical emergenciesguardian
If Children youaged need17 emergencyand medicalunder assistancemust whilstcarry ina Kenya,letter dialof 999authority orif 112they’re andtravelling askout forof anKenya ambulance.without Ambulancestheir canparent beor verylegal slowguardian. toFor arrive.more Youinformation:
- read
shouldaboutcontactparentalyourconsentinsurance/medicalandassistanceguardianship,companyinasthesoonKenyanasgovernment’spossibleguidancetooninformtravellingthemtoofKenyawhatwithhaschildren - contact
happened.theHospitalsKenyamayHighseekCommissionimmediateinpaymentLondonbyorcashtheorKenyancardImmigrationbeforeAssistancetreatmentService
Healthcare isin given.Kenya
ARead numberour ofguidance privateon ambulancemoving, optionsliving areor available,retiring includingabroad. from:This covers how to:
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Other health risks
MalariaKenya isdoes commonnot inhave somea partsreciprocal ofhealth Kenya,agreement ifwith you’rethe travellingUK.
Make tosure malariayou areas,have takeappropriate stepshealth insurance to avoidcover mosquitoany bites.healthcare Forcosts. theYou latestcan updatesget andprivate advice,health visitinsurance thefrom NaTHNaCKenyan website.
Water-borneor diseasesinternational occurproviders. inFor Kenya.more Drinkinformation oron useprivate onlyinsurance boiledin orKenya, bottledvisit waterthe andKenyan avoidInsurance iceRegulatory inAuthority drinks.website.
Working in Kenya
EmploymentThe opportunitiesKenyan areSocial availableHealth forAuthority Britishprovides nationals;public however,health allinsurance. non-KenyanYou citizenscan requiretake apart permitin tothis, workor intake Kenya,out includingprivate voluntaryhealth work.insurance.
TheTo Britishfind Highout Commissionhow does not facilitate work permits. If you are planning to moveget tomedical Kenyatreatment:
- contact
andyourwork,insurance provider - read
theKenyagovernment’sguidance onworkhealthpermitsin Kenya - find
asmedicalafacilitiesforeignandnationaldoctorsandhowfortoBritishgetnationalsainvisaKenya.
StudyingWorking in Kenya
KenyaRead offersour aguidance wideon rangemoving, ofliving educationalor opportunities.retiring Thereabroad. areThis statecovers runworking schoolsabroad, andincluding adocuments wideyou varietymay ofneed privatefrom fee-payingthe privateUK schools.government.
To Thework Britishin CouncilKenya, hasyou need a largework presencepermit here.or Ifwork youvisa.
The planDirectorate toof studyImmigration inServices Kenya,explains youthe mustdifferent meetwork allpermits visaand requirementspasses beforeavailable youto travel.you.
Contact
Recognition theof relevantqualifications
If higheryou educationwant providerto work in KenyaKenya, toyou checkmay whatneed feesto youget haveyour toforeign pay.qualifications recognised.
Driving in Kenya
OtherRead usefulour linksguidance include:on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
thedriveMinistryabroadOfEducationlegallythetakeCommissionyourforUKUniversityvehicleEducation(CUE)abroadthegetKenyadrivingNationallicenceQualificationsAuthority(KNQA)letters
Tax
YouRead shouldabout getroad professionaltravel advicein onKenya, payingin taxsafety inand Kenya.security Findin anthe English-speakingtravel lawyeradvice infor Kenya. orThis moreincludes information on the Kenyadriving Revenuein Authority’sKenya, website.
Readincluding guidancedriving on:licence rules.
taxThe
ifKenyanyouNationalleaveTransporttheandUKSafetytoAuthorityliveprovidesabroadtaxinformation onyourdrivingUKinincomeKenya,ifincludingyouhowliveabroadto:
taxapplyifforyougetapensionprovisionalandKenyanlivedrivingabroadlicencepayinggetNationalaInsurancenewwhileKenyanabroaddrivingtolicence- book
protectayourKenyanStatedrivingPensiontest
Disabled anddrivers
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Benefits
CheckKenyan whichdisabled UKparking benefitspermit youby canregistering claimwith whilethe abroadKenyan andNational howCouncil tofor claimPersons them.with Disabilities.
ManyIf income-relatedyou benefitshave sucha asUK PensionBlue CreditBadge and Housinglive Benefitin cannotKenya, beyou paidmust ifreturn you’reit abroadto forthe moreoriginal thanUK 4issuing weeks.authority.
PensionsTax
Read the StateRead Pensionour guidance ifon youmoving, haveliving lived in Australia, Canada or Newretiring Zealandabroad. andThis youcovers aretax, claimingincluding orpaying waitingUK totax claimand yourNational UK State Pension.Insurance.
IfThe youUK retirehas ina Kenya,double youtaxation canagreement claimwith yourKenya UKso Statethat Pensionyou ordo newnot UKpay Statetax Pension.on Contact the Internationalsame Pensionincome Centre forin furtherboth information.countries.
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Contact certificatesthe forKenya UKRevenue StateAuthority Pensionsfor any questions.
IfConsider yougetting getprofessional aadvice ‘lifeon certificate’paying fromtax thein UK Pension ServiceKenya,. youTo mustdo respondthis, asfind soona aslawyer possible.in Your payments may be suspended if you do not.Kenya.
MoneyPensions
Claiming andyour bankingUK pension
ThereRead areour manyguidance internationalon banksmoving, andliving investmentor companiesretiring operatingabroad. inThis Kenya,covers:
- how
sometoofclaimwhichyourareUKaffiliated.StateMostPension - where
bankstheofferUKlocalgovernmentandpaysforeignancurrencyannualaccounts.CardincreasetransactionsinarethemainlyStateusedPension
Claiming ina malls,Kenyan hotelspension
Contact andthe largerNational outletsTreasury butof mobileKenya moneyto transactionsfind areout verywhether common.
Requirementsyou forcan openingclaim a bankpension account in Kenya may include:Kenya.
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orClaiming
passportMinimumUKopeningbenefitsRead
balanceour(variesguidancewithondifferentmoving,banks)Utilitylivingbill/orleaseretiringagreementabroad.(forThispurposecoversofhowverifyingtophysicalclaimaddress)ColourUKpassportbenefitsphotographRecommendationabroad,letterincludingfromChildanBenefit.Claiming
employerKenyanorothercustomer
RequirementsContact forthe openingNational aSocial mobileSecurity moneyFund accountto atfind aout retailerwhether outletyou desk:
Passport/canKenyanclaimforeignerbenefitscertificateMobileandphonegrantswithinKenyanSIMcard
MoneyBuying transfer
Transferringand moneyrenting intoproperty in Kenya
Read isour possibleguidance throughon allmoving, banksliving andor moneyretiring transferringabroad. companiesThis suchcovers asbuying Westernand Unionrenting andproperty Wise.abroad.
Accommodation
Generally, andforeign buyingnationals property
Foreignerscannot can own propertyfreehold land in KenyaKenya, but thiscan isbuy subjectleasehold toproperty. certainContact legala restrictions. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Kenya forif legalyou’re advice.
Seeconsidering buying a property abroad.or land.
DrivingVoting in Kenya
You can drive in Kenya with a valid
UK drivingelections
Read licenceour orguidance on amoving, valid Internationalliving Drivingor Permitretiring abroad. forThis upcovers tohow threeto:
- vote
months.inIfUKyou’reelectionsstayingfromlongerabroad - register
oraslivinganinoverseasKenya,voter
Kenyan youelections
You willcannot needvote toin get a Kenyan drivingelections licenceunless fromyou thehold NationalKenyan Transportcitizenship.
Studying andin SafetyKenya
If Authorityyou whichplan alsoto providesstudy morein informationKenya, aboutyou whatmust toapply dofor whenan buyingelectronic aTravel carAuthorisation (including(eTA) transferringbefore ownership,you registeringtravel. yourYou vehiclewill andalso acquiringneed a logstudent book).pass.
Kenya’sFor drivingmore rulesinformation:
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areguidancesimilarontotravelthosegrantsinforthestudentsUK;studyingdrivingabroadisor ontheplacementsleft(England) - contact
handyoursidehigherofeducationtheproviderroad.TheinspeedthelimitUKisorindicatedKenya - contact
inthekilometresKenyanperMinistryhour.of Education
Children
AlsoRead seeour informationguidance on drivingmoving, living or retiring abroad.
If you’reThis askedcovers formoving aabroad letterwith authenticating,children, certifyingincluding:
- getting
orpermissionvalidatingto take your child abroad - claiming UK
driver’sChildlicence,Benefityouabroad - child
shouldmaintenancecontactpaymentsyourifUKaissuingparentofficelives(egabroad
Schools theand DVLA).education
GuidanceThe forKenyan travellingMinistry byof roadEducation provides information about the school system in KenyaKenya.
IfAll youchildren wishaged 6 to take13 yourmust vehicleattend withschool you,or see takinghome vehiclesschool outin ofKenya.
For more information, contact the UKKenyan Ministry of Education.
Disabled driversChildcare
IfThe youState haveDepartment afor UKChildren Blue BadgeServices andis liveresponsible for childcare services in Kenya, youwhich mustare returnregulated itby to the originalNational UKCouncil issuingfor authority.Children’s Services.
Voting
YouMost mayparents be able to vote in someKenya UKarrange elections.private Youchildcare can:
checkforiftheiryouchildren.areOptionsableincludetodaycarevoteregistercentresasandanhome-basedoverseasvoter
Births, deaths, marriagemarriages and civil partnershippartnerships
Births
If your child is born in Kenya, you should register the birth with the Kenyan authorities..
Read Youour canguidance thenon registermoving, theliving birthor withretiring the UK authoritiesabroad. andThis applycovers forhow a UK birth certificate.to:
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to
- register the birth with the
UK authoritiesUK authorities toapplygetforaBritishUKpassport.Youbirthshouldcertificate - apply
beforawareyourthatchild’sobtainingafirst British passport
Deaths
Read forour aguidance childon bornmoving, inliving Kenyaor isretiring a lengthy process. You can check current processing timesabroad online.. YouThis cannotcovers:
- what
usuallytogetdoanafterEmergencysomeoneTraveldiesDocumentabroad - how
fortoaregisterchildtheifdeaththeywithhaveneverhadaBritishpassport.ApplicationsforBritishpassportsareprocessedbyHisMajesty’sPassportOfficeinthe UKandnotbytheBritishHighCommissioninKenya.authorities
Deaths
If someone dies in KenyaKenya, read our guidance on:
What
MarriageMarriages and civil partnershippartnerships
FindRead outour howguidance youon canmoving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.abroad.
SeeYou informationcan also read the Kenyan Registrar of Marriage’s guidance on gettingmarriage marriedservices in Kenya. .
LocalSame authoritiessex domarriages notand acceptcivil supportingpartnerships documentsare issuednot inlegally arecognised digitalin format.
Emergencies
DialKenya. 999For /information 112 /about 911LGBT+ forrights thein police,Kenya, ambulanceread orguidance fireon brigade,safety orand tosecurity reportin athe missingtravel childadvice infor Kenya.Kenya.
If
Divorce youand haveseparation
Read beenour theguidance victimon ofmoving, aliving rape or sexualretiring assaultabroad. inThis Kenya,covers readhow theto guidanceget fora victimsdivorce ofor rapeend anda sexualcivil assaultpartnership.
Consider abroad. taking Seelegal alsoadvice English-speakingfrom lawyersa lawyer in Kenya.
Documents for legalBritish advice.people in Kenya
IfRead you’reour theguidance victimon ofdocuments afor crime,British havepeople beenabroad. arrested,This orcovers:
- legalising
areandaffectedcertifyingbyUKadocuments - marriage
crisis, contactandthecivilBritishpartnershipHighdocuments - affirmations
CommissionandNairobi.affidavits - witnessing signatures
You
Lawyers canand alsonotaries
To reportfind seriousan crimeEnglish-speaking tolawyer theor Directoratenotary ofin CriminalKenya, Investigationsread (DCI)guidance on toll-freeprofessional numberservices 0800if 722you’re 203.abroad.
Pets
ReadIf theyou want to bring your pet with you to Kenya, read guidance onon:
- importing
internationalaparentaldogchildorabductioncatifto Kenya - taking your
childpetmaydog,becatatorriskferretoftothis.a non-EU country
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently. whichThis includes information on bringing family members,members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Kenyan authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
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Update history
2026-01-28 11:11
Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK (‘Passports and travel’ section).
2024-10-08 13:49
Updated version
2023-08-02 07:27
Updated with extra details
2022-12-05 19:28
old content replaced with new and latest information