From visa applications to school enrolment, neighbourhood guides to investment frameworks — everything you need to relocate to Kenya with confidence.
Kenya offers several pathways for long-term residence. The right option depends on your employment status, investment plans, and length of stay.
Single-entry visa valid for 90 days, covering Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Ideal for initial exploration before committing to a longer stay. Extendable once in-country.
For those employed by a Kenyan company. Requires sponsorship from your employer. Usually processed within 60–90 days. Renewable annually.
Designed for investors and business owners. Requires proof of investment capital in a Kenya-registered business. Minimum investment thresholds apply.
Kenya launched provisions for remote workers employed outside Kenya. Work from Nairobi's growing co-working ecosystem while based in Africa's tech hub.
Spouses and dependants of permit holders receive a Dependent Pass. Special Passes issued while primary permits are being processed.
After 7+ years of continuous legal residence in Kenya, you may apply for permanent residence. Grants indefinite right to live and work without annual renewals.
From Nairobi's leafy suburbs to coastal Mombasa, Kenya's cities offer very different lifestyles. Here's how the main areas compare for expats and families.
Nairobi's most cosmopolitan district. Dense with restaurants, gyms, co-working spaces, and the main expat social scene. Higher rents but maximum convenience.
Green, spacious, and favoured by families and long-term residents. Lower density, large compound houses, near the Karen Country Club and national park.
Central, well-served by schools and hospitals, popular with both expats and upper-middle-class Kenyans. A good balance of price and location.
Leafy, quiet suburbs popular with NGO workers and established families. Home to some of Nairobi's best international schools. Excellent security.
Nairobi's most exclusive addresses. Embassy row is here, along with Muthaiga Golf Club. Expansive homes on large plots. Reserved for those seeking prestige.
Rapidly developing stretch with new malls, schools, and residential estates. Strong value proposition for those who don't mind the commute into the city centre.
Kenya's coastal capital. Warm year-round, vibrant Swahili culture, and a growing remote-work community. Diani Beach is popular for beach-lifestyle relocations.
Clean, cool highland city in western Kenya. Growing university town, lower cost of living, and excellent access to natural landscapes. Strong agribusiness sector.
Gateway to Lake Victoria and East Africa's third-largest city. Emerging business hub with a relaxed pace of life and a young, educated population.
Kenya is home to one of Africa's strongest international school sectors. Nairobi has over 40 international schools offering British, American, IB, and French curricula.
Kenya is East Africa's commercial hub and the gateway to a 300-million-person regional market. The economy has averaged 5%+ growth for the past decade.
Residential & commercial property
Agriculture & food processing
Africa's Silicon Savannah
Safari, eco & wellness
Solar, wind & geothermal
Private medical & wellness
Kenya offers a strong quality of life at a fraction of Western costs. Nairobi is East Africa's most expensive city, but significantly cheaper than comparable capitals globally.
| Item | Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2-bed apartment, Kilimani | $800–$1,500 |
| 3-bed house, Karen | $1,500–$3,500 |
| Domestic help (full-time) | $150–$300 |
| Groceries (family of 4) | $300–$600 |
| Dining out (restaurant) | $8–$35/meal |
| Gym membership | $40–$120 |
| Private school fees | $800–$2,500/mo |
| Private health insurance | $150–$400 |
East Africa's commercial capital. Most expensive in Kenya but world-class amenities, international schools, hospitals, and the largest expat community.
Coastal city with tropical warmth and a slower pace. Growing remote-work community. Beach lifestyle and lower rents than Nairobi.
Cool highland city in western Kenya. University town, strong agri-business, and the most affordable cost of living of Kenya's major cities.
Lake Victoria gateway. Young and vibrant, with a growing professional class. Excellent for those in NGO, health, or lake-region business.
What you actually need to know about banking, healthcare, connectivity, and getting around once you arrive.
Kenya Shilling (KES) is stable. Equity Bank, KCB, and Absa are expat-friendly. M-Pesa mobile money is essential — used for everything from rent to taxis. Most major banks have English-language service.
Nairobi has world-class private hospitals including Aga Khan, Nairobi Hospital, and MP Shah. Comprehensive private health insurance is essential. Most international insurers cover Kenya.
Nairobi has fast, widely available 4G/5G. Safaricom is the dominant and most reliable provider. Home fibre (Zuku, Safaricom Home) widely available in expat areas. Co-working spaces excellent.
Most expats drive or use Uber/Bolt in Nairobi. Traffic is heavy; Karen and Westlands commutes can be slow. International driving licences valid for 90 days, then convert to Kenyan licence.
Nairobi has excellent supermarkets (Carrefour, Naivas, Quickmart) and multiple malls including The Hub, Village Market, and Garden City. Imported goods available but carry a premium.
Most expat neighbourhoods have 24-hour security, guards, and controlled access. Gated communities are common and affordable. Standard precautions apply as in any major city.
Kenya uses English common law, inherited from British rule. Contracts enforceable, property rights well-established. English is an official language and all legal proceedings are conducted in English.
JKIA (Nairobi) has direct flights to London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Doha, and major African hubs. Kenya Airways, British Airways, KLM, Emirates all serve Nairobi. New JKIA terminal expanding capacity.
A relocation tour lets you experience Kenya before you commit. We design bespoke itineraries covering neighbourhoods, schools, offices, and everything in between.
Your first time exploring Kenya with relocation in mind. We cover Nairobi's main expat neighbourhoods, shortlist schools, visit a property, and meet a local contact who can answer your questions.
Our most comprehensive offering. Covers Nairobi, a day-trip to an alternative city, school visits, meet-the-agent property sessions, immigration lawyer meeting, and a full briefing document.
Designed for those looking to invest or start a business in Kenya. Includes meetings with a local accountant, Kenya Investment Authority, and site visits to investment opportunities.
"We had no idea where to start. The discovery tour changed everything — we chose Kilimani, enrolled the kids at ISK, and were settled within three months of coming back."
"The investor tour was exactly what I needed. I met the right people, saw real opportunities, and felt confident making the move. Kenya is the best decision I've made."
"As a single parent, I was nervous. The school visit tour with guided neighbourhood walks made the whole thing feel manageable. We love Karen — it's become our home."