Apply for a Foreign National Registration Certificate (alien card)
Directorate of Immigration Services · sources read 30 Sep 2026
If you're a foreigner living in Kenya for more than 90 days, apply for the alien card on the eFNS portal (fns.immigration.go.ke), pay online, then book an appointment to hand in your documents and give your fingerprints and photo.
- Fee
- KSh 5,000Foreign national registration, per year
- How long
- About 6 weeks
- Where
- Online on the eFNS portal (Directorate of Immigration Services), then in person for biometrics
What you need
- Printed Form 50 and payment acknowledgement from the eFNS portal
- Copy of your valid passport's bio data page
- Proof you live here legally: work permit, permanent residence, or dependant/student pass
- Two recent colour passport photos (white background)
- For renewal: a copy of your previous alien card
Steps
- Log in to the eFNS portal (fns.immigration.go.ke) with your eCitizen account, fill in the alien card application and print Form 50 and the payment acknowledgement.
- Book an appointment to hand in your application.
- On the appointment day, bring your documents for checking, then have your photo and fingerprints taken. You get a waiting slip.
- Wait for a notice on the account you applied with, then go collect your card.
Watch out
- Pay online by card or mobile money. Cash is not accepted at the immigration counter.
- The card is made centrally by the National Registration Bureau after checking your biometrics, so it takes several weeks. Keep your waiting slip.
- Refugees registered under the Refugee Act, and embassy staff and their families, don't register this way.
Who can apply
- All foreigners living in Kenya for more than 90 days must register.
- Not needed if you stay 3 months or less on a visitor's pass or special pass.
Official sources (3)
- Issuance of Foreigner Certificate (Alien Card) immigration.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Directorate of Immigration Services Delivery Charter 2025 immigration.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Kenya Foreign Nationals Service Portal (eFNS) fns.immigration.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026