License a student recruitment agency (for foreign and local universities)
Commission for University Education · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Register on CUE's Licensing Portal, fill in the application with your offices, the universities you represent and your staff, then pay on eCitizen. An annual licence costs KSh 100,000 and takes about 50 working days, including an office inspection.
- Fee
- KSh 100,000Annual licence (new or renewal)KSh 35,200Short-term licence for recruitment fairs and exhibitions (max one month)KSh 8,800Short-term licence for recruitment fairs and exhibitions (max one week)
- How long
- About 50 working days for a new annual licence
- Where
- Online on CUE's Licensing Portal (imis.cue.or.ke/LicensingPortal), with payment through eCitizen
What you need
- Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Registration (business name)
- Valid business permit
- Valid fire safety certificate
- Agreement (MoA/MoU) with each university you represent, and a list of them
- Title deed (if you own the office) or lease agreement (if you rent)
- HR policy and staff profiles: ID copies (passports and work permits for foreigners), highest qualifications and certificates of good conduct
Steps
- Create an account on CUE's Licensing Portal (imis.cue.or.ke/LicensingPortal) and wait for CUE to verify it and send login details.
- Start a new application: list all your offices, the universities you represent, your services and staff, attach the documents and sign the declaration.
- Pay through eCitizen as the portal prompts, then attach proof of payment. CUE won't process the application until you do.
- CUE checks your papers and visits your office for inspection. Track progress under Status of Applications.
Watch out
- At least two of your employees must hold a bachelor's degree.
- The licence is yearly. Apply to renew at least a month before it expires (renewal takes about 20 working days).
- If your licence expires and you haven't applied to renew, you must stop operating.
Who can apply
- Any person or company that wants to run a student recruitment agency in Kenya.
- Also foreign universities that advertise, exhibit or recruit students in Kenya directly.
Official sources (5)
- Standards and Guidelines for Licensing Student Recruitment Agencies and the Activities of Foreign Universities/Institutions (with checklist) imis.cue.or.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Citizen Service Delivery Charter 2025 cue.or.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Licensing of Student Recruitment Agencies Web Portal User Manual imis.cue.or.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Licensing of Student Recruitment Agencies Portal imis.cue.or.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Licensing Portal - Payment Options imis.cue.or.ke · read 2 Oct 2026