🇰🇪 Kenya at a Glance
Kenya offers 20 distinct visa pathways for skilled workers and migrants in 2026. Located in Eastern Africa, processing times range from 1–6 months. The country scores a quality of life index of 5/10 and a safety score of 5/10. Monthly living costs for a single person range from €292–€750 depending on the city. The primary language is Swahili with English friendliness rated 8/10. Permanent residency timelines range from 1 to 7 years depending on the visa stream. Top-scoring professions for immigration include Software Engineer (6.0/10), Data Analyst (6.0/10), Software Engineer (5.6/10). Overall migration friendliness is rated 5/10.
Visa Programs
| Program | Min Income | Min Savings | Language | Processing | Path to PR | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class G Permit (Investor) | — | €92,000 | — | 17–25 weeks | 1 years | 1 years |
| Class D — Formal Employment (Skilled Worker) | €4,615/yr salary | — | English (B2) | 2–4 weeks | 5 years | 10 years |
| Class G — Business / Self-Employment | €9,231/monthly | €1,923 | — | 2–4 weeks | 5 years | 10 years |
| Class C — Prescribed Professions (Specialist) | €6,462/yr salary | — | English (C1) | 2–4 weeks | 5 years | 10 years |
| Class F — Manufacturing | €4,615/yr salary | — | English (B2) | 2–4 weeks | 5 years | 10 years |
| Class K — Retiree | €9,231/monthly | €7,692 | — | 2–4 weeks | 5 years | 10 years |
| Class A/B — Mining/Agriculture (Investor) | €4,615/yr salary | €92,000 | — | 2–4 weeks | 5 years | 10 years |
| Digital Nomad (via Class D or G) | €9,231/monthly | — | — | 2–4 weeks | 5 years | 10 years |
| Seasonal / Short-Term Work Permit | €3,231/yr salary | — | English (B1) | 1–2 weeks | — | — |
Financial Requirements
€92,000 minimum savings/investment
Self-employment or business creation visa, with path to permanent residence in 1 years.
€4,615/year minimum salary
Standard skilled worker permit (Class D). KES 50,000/month minimum. 2 years, renewable. Spouse needs own Class D.
€9,231/monthly minimum income | €1,923 minimum savings/investment
Business/consultant permit. KES 100,000/month income + KES 250,000 savings. 2 years, renewable.
€6,462/year minimum salary
For prescribed professions (doctors, engineers, etc.). KES 70,000/month minimum. 2 years, renewable.
€4,615/year minimum salary
Manufacturing sector permit (Class F). KES 50,000/month minimum. 2 years, renewable.
€9,231/monthly minimum income | €7,692 minimum savings/investment
Retiree permit. KES 100,000/month income + KES 1M savings. 1-5 years, renewable.
€4,615/year minimum salary | €92,000 minimum savings/investment
Mining/agriculture investor permit (Class A/B). 2 years, renewable.
€9,231/monthly minimum income
DN route via Class D or G permit. KES 100,000/month (~EUR 769). Nairobi is East Africa's tech hub.
€3,231/year minimum salary
Short-term work permit. 3-6 months. KES 35,000/month minimum.
Cost of Living
Top Professions for Emigrating
| Profession | Score | Est. Net Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 6.0/10 | €590/mo |
| Data Analyst | 6.0/10 | €664/mo |
| Software Engineer | 5.6/10 | €640/mo |
| AI Engineer | 5.6/10 | €720/mo |
| Civil Engineer | 5.6/10 | €590/mo |
| Project Manager | 5.6/10 | €553/mo |
| Financial Analyst | 5.6/10 | €553/mo |
| Accountant (license req.) | 5.5/10 | €443/mo |
| Architect (license req.) | 5.5/10 | €443/mo |
| Marketing Manager | 5.5/10 | €516/mo |
Downloadable Data
Explore More: Kenya
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- Cost of Living in Nairobi, Kenya
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- Class Ab Mining Agriculture — Kenya
- Class C Prescribed Professions — Kenya
- Class D Formal Employment — Kenya
- Class F Manufacturing — Kenya
- Class G Business Self Employment — Kenya
- Class G Permit Investor — Kenya
- Class K Retiree — Kenya
- Digital Nomad Class Dg — Kenya
- Seasonal Short Term Work — Kenya
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