Special Pass Fees / Charges, Kenya

A Special Pass is a short-term immigration document issued to foreign nationals who need to remain in Kenya temporarily for a specific purpose that does not fall within any work permit class — such as pending processing of a work permit, attending to urgent business, completing a short-term assignment, or during an appeal period. It is issued by the Director General of Immigration Services and is typically granted for periods of one month at a time. Under the 2024 fee revision, Special Pass charges switched from a KES-denominated monthly rate to a USD-denominated monthly rate.

Special Pass Fee Summary Table

Fee Type	Amount	Notes
Application processing fee	Free (no processing fee)	Special Pass applications are not charged a processing fee
Monthly issuance fee	USD 200 per month	Revised from KES 15,000 per month under 2024 gazette notice

The issuance fee moved from KES 15,000/month to USD 200/month effective from the 2024 immigration revisions.

Key Requirements

Applications for a Special Pass are accompanied by a letter explaining the specific circumstances requiring the pass, evidence of the underlying purpose (e.g., a work permit application acknowledgement, contract, or assignment letter), and a valid passport. Special Passes are not automatically renewable and are intended as a short-term measure; holders should not rely on repeated renewals in lieu of obtaining the appropriate work permit class.

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