By Elainer Mogoa

Kenya has eliminated work permit fees for Tanzanian nationals to allow Tanzanians to work and invest in Kenya.

On 4th May 2021, in a meeting with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu, president Uhuru Kenyatta announced the scrapping of work permit fees for Tanzania Nationals working or investing in Kenya. The objective is to implement the East African Common Market Protocol, allowing workers from any partner state to accept employment within any other EAC country and strengthen both countries’ economies by promoting the easy movement of goods and people.  

Tanzanians wishing to work and invest in Kenya shall be required to still follow due process by submitting their work or investor permits and Alien ID applications and documentation to the immigration department. However, they will not be liable to pay the requisite processing or permit fees following the president’s directive. 

Previously, Tanzanian citizens were already granted East African gratis, which means they were exempted from the annual permit fees.

However, It is important to note that it is still obligatory for applicants to provide the security bond, which requires them to pay the security bond premium to an insurance provider. This is a requirement for foreigners in Kenya to obtain their work permit. A security bond is a guarantee of payment to the government (usually KSH 100,000 in Kenya) as security. 

According to the Immigration Regulations, the deposit may, if necessary, be used to defray any expenses incurred or likely to be incurred by the government in connection with the detention, maintenance, medical treatment or removal from Kenya of the person in respect of whom the entry permit or pass was issued and of his wife, children and other dependants, if any.