License a foreign fishing vessel to fish in Kenyan waters
Kenya Fisheries Service · sources read 3 Oct 2026
Apply to KeFS on eCitizen using the foreign craft form. KeFS checks the vessel's history for illegal fishing, inspects it and its KMA seaworthiness certificate, and a licensing committee decides. The licence costs USD 50,000 for a purse seiner or USD 30,000 for a longliner, usually within 30 working days.
- Fee
- KSh 10,000Fisherman's licence for each foreign crew member on a semi-industrial or industrial vessel
- How long
- Within 30 working days
- Where
- Online on eCitizen (Kenya Fisheries Service). KeFS head office: 13th Floor, SHA Building, Community Area, Nairobi. Email info@kefs.go.ke
What you need
- The KeFS application form for industrial (foreign) craft
- The vessel's seaworthiness certificate from the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA)
Steps
- Fill the KeFS form for industrial craft and apply to the KeFS Director General on eCitizen.
- KeFS runs a background check to make sure the vessel hasn't been involved in illegal, unreported or unregulated fishing.
- KeFS inspects the vessel for sanitary rules and monitoring and port state measures, and checks its KMA seaworthiness certificate.
- A KeFS licensing committee reviews the application. If it's approved, pay the fee and the vessel gets its licence.
Watch out
- The vessel licence is charged in US dollars: USD 50,000 for a purse seiner.
- A longliner licence costs USD 30,000.
- If you're turned down, KeFS writes to tell you why.
Who can apply
- Owners or operators of industrial foreign fishing vessels, such as purse seiners and longliners
Official sources (3)
- Licensing kefs.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- KeFS Service Charter kefs.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- eCitizen ecitizen.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026