Get an internship or research pass (foreign interns and researchers)
Directorate of Immigration Services · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Your host institution prepares Form 30 and a cover letter, then you apply on the eFNS portal (fns.immigration.go.ke) and print the pass for endorsement. It takes about 15 working days, and citizens of East African Community countries pay nothing.
- Fee
- FreeCitizens of East African Community member states
- How long
- About 15 working days
- Where
- Online on the eFNS portal (fns.immigration.go.ke), then an immigration office for endorsement
What you need
- Form 30, filled, signed and stamped by the head of the institution
- A cover letter from the institution to the Director General of Immigration Services, giving the course and how long it lasts
- Copy of your valid passport (bio-data page)
- Two recent colour passport photos
- Copy of the institution's registration certificate (or one from the Ministry of Education)
- Your CV
- Police clearance certificate (adults)
- For researchers: clearance from NACOSTI
- For refugees: a clearance letter from the Department of Refugee Affairs
Steps
- Get your host institution to fill, sign and stamp Form 30 and write a cover letter to the Director General of Immigration Services.
- Apply on the eFNS portal (fns.immigration.go.ke) and upload all the documents.
- Once the pass is issued, print it from eFNS and take it to an immigration office for endorsement.
Watch out
- You need an institution in Kenya to accept you first. You cannot apply on your own.
- Researchers need NACOSTI clearance before applying, so start that early.
Who can apply
- Foreigners coming to Kenya to do an internship or academic research, who have been accepted by an institution in Kenya.
Official sources (4)
- Internship/Research Pass immigration.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Work Permits and Passes immigration.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Directorate of Immigration Services Delivery Charter 2025 immigration.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) fns.immigration.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026