Verification of Work Permits Exercise at Nyayo House (From 21 May 2018 to 21 July 2018)
On May 21 2018, the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Dr. Fred Matiangi announced a looming crackdown on foreigners who are in Kenya illegally, including those who are in Kenya legally but are working illegally.
He gave them a sixty (60) days’ ultimatum to present themselves to the Department of Immigration and Registration of Persons and get the requisite legal documentation or risk arrest and being jailed.
Following his announcement, the Department of Immigration and Registration of Persons has issued a notice that a verification exercise of all work permit holders will be undertaken at the Department of Immigration with effect from 21st May 2018 to 21st July 2018.
During the sixty (60) days’ period, all work permit holders will be required to attend in person at the Department of Immigration, at Nyayo House, Nairobi for the verification exercise which will include taking of fingerprints and (passport) photos of the work permit holders.
The work permit holders will be have to carry the following documents with them for the exercise purposes:
- their original work permits;
- their original and valid passport with the official endorsement of the work permit on it;
- a valid foreigners certificate card (also referred to as alien card) or foreigners waiting card;
- the official payment receipt of the work permit; and
- their KRA PIN certificate.
In as much as the directive is targeted towards work permit holders only, we believe that there is a possibility that a similar exercise will be conducted for dependant pass holders.
We advise work permit holders to comply within the specified period.
Purposing to attend to the verification exercise at Nyayo House sooner rather than at the last minute is advisable.
We note to continue keeping you updated on any further announcements from the Department of Immigration and Registration of Persons.
In case of any queries, do not hesitate to contact us.
Comments (20)
Thank you for this information – does this also apply to those holding permanent residency?
Hi Mary, the verification exercise is meant only for work permit holders. It does not target those who hold permanent resident status or holders of dependants pass (holders of dependant pass are usually spouses and other dependants of work permit holders). We shall let you know if and when a verification exercise for permanent residents is announced.
hi,
does this exercise that we can go for verification in nakuru immigration office
Hello Srinivas, we are only aware of the verification being undertaken at the Foreign Nationals Management Section of the Nyayo House, Nairobi and not at the regional offices of the Department of Immigration.
What of those that don’t have a PIN Certificate
Dear Nel, whereas the (original) PIN Certificate has been listed as one of the documents that will be verified during the verification exercise, we believe that its absence is not fatal unlike the other listed documents such as the original work permit, work permit processing and issuance payment receipts and the official endorsement of the work permit on a successful applicant’s passport. However, you will need give a satisfactory explanation on why you do not yet have a PIN Certificate, to the Immigration officials. Were you issued with an Alien Certificate (or Alien Card) by the Department of Immigration? This document is required by Kenya Revenue Authority for PIN Certificate issuance purposes. Feel free to get in touch with us at info@otadvocates.co.ke in case you need further clarification or assistance.
I have all the relevant documents required but am waiting for the issue of the ID card after having applied for the renewal recently.
Can I still enter the verification exercise with the actual card but with the Application acknowledgement receipt?
Dear James, Absolutely. The Application Acknowledgement Receipt is a valid document that proves that you have applied for and are currently waiting for the Alien ID Card to be issued. You can carry it together with the other requested documents to the verification centre at Nyayo House.
Does this apply to Holders of Class G(Investors) permits?
Dear Ben, Yes it does. The Work Permit Verification Exercise applies to all holders of Work Permits irrespective of the class of Work Permit they hold. This means that all Work Permits holders holding Work Permits ranging from – Class A: Prospecting and mining (KEP/A); Class B: Agriculture and animal husbandry (KEP/B); Class C: Prescribed profession (KEP/C); Class D: Employment (KEP/D); Class F: Specific manufacturing (KEP/F); Class G: Specific trade, business or consultancy – that is, Investors (KEP/G); Class I: Approved religious or charitable activities (KEP/I); Class K: Ordinary residents (KEP/K); Class M: Refugees (KEP/M); and Exemption Class.
I am the holder of a recently renewed WORK/RESIDENT PERMIT, class ‘K’, RETIRED. I reside at the coast. Am I also required to present myself at Nyayo House before 21st July? Thankyou.
Dear Peter, Indeed. Despite holding a recently renewed Work Permit of the class reserved for retirees and those who do not intend to work in Kenya, you must present yourself before the officers undertaking the Work Permit Verification Exercise at Nyayo House, in person. There are only 17 days remaining excluding weekends.
Good afternoon, my father has a retirement permit, from what I can gather from reading the above comments, he is also required to go for the verification process, is this correct?
Dear Siana, That is correct. What you refer as a “retirement permit” is a Class K Work Permit. He will have to appear in person before the Work Permit Verification officers at Nyayo House.
Our church pastors are scheduled to fly from America into Kenya the latter part of August 2018. They own the International Pastoral Training Center in Eldoret. We are unsure of exactly what is required of our pastors prior to entering Kenya. Pastor Ray Tucker, his wife and Pastor Linda Freeman will be conducting classes this September. Pastor Ray is the owner of the Center and has a work permit. I would appreciate your help in knowing exactly what should our pastor’s actions be and what documents should they have upon entry. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Dear David, We have sent a detailed email to you with our advice. Do let us know if you have not received it.
I got verification today but my fellow permit holders are still in their own country for some urgent issues. I think they may not make it back to kenya before 21st this month. What if they cannit make it before the duration thanks to their absence in kenya, what actions will be taken to them? Thank you for your advise in advance.
Dear Judy, There are many foreigners holding Kenyan Work Permits and who for one reason or another have not been in Kenya during the entire period when the Work Permit Verification Exercise has been going on. The Department of Immigration has not clarified on what will happen to them. However, we believe that the would be prejudiced or suffer any adverse consequences. It would be absurd for someone who has traveled back to their home country or to another country on business, work, leisure, medical reasons etc. to suffer the inconvenience of travelling back to Kenya, with its attendant costs, logistics, time constraints etc. just to attend the Work Permit Verification Exercise and go back. Furthermore, the Exercise targeted those who are in Kenya illegally or working illegally or who hold illegally obtained Work Permits. We shall keep you posted on any further developments or clarifications emanating from the Department of Immigration.
Hi, Im in kenya as a missionary. I was not aware of the verigication exercice but I have a genue work permit. please advice me on what to do.
Dear Benedicta, you may have to call on the Officers of the Work Permit Section of the Department of Immigration at Nyayo House, 5th Floor and explain to them about your situation and request them to verify your Work Permit. It will be quite helpful if you could carry with you the other documentation we listed on our Article; and while there, explain that (probably) due to the remoteness of your work station, you did not hear of the exercise and that you immediately took measures to comply by calling on them. We do not foresee any complications arising from your inadvertent lateness. There are many other genuine Work Permit holders who happened to be outside the country during the exercise or could not manage to attend the exercise because of one reason or another, such as incapacitation.