What foreign nationals need to know about Kenya's $39 mandatory Alien ID card

Foreign nationals planning to stay in Kenya for more than three months are required by law to obtain an Alien ID card, a mandatory identification document that serves as proof of legal residency in the country.

• Foreign nationals staying in Kenya for over 90 days are required by law to obtain an Alien ID card, officially called the Foreign Nationals Certificate.
• Applicants must be at least 18, possess a valid passport, have legal immigration status in Kenya, and intend to stay longer than 90 days.
• The Alien ID card enables holders to access various regulated services and serves as an official proof of legal residency.
• The annual application and renewal fee is KSh5,000 (about $38.61), with a KSh10,000 (about $77.22) penalty for non-compliance.

Officially known as the Foreign Nationals Certificate, the Alien ID card is issued to foreign citizens who intend to remain in Kenya for a continuous period exceeding 90 days.

The document is designed to help the government maintain an updated record of foreign residents while enabling holders to access a range of regulated services.

To qualify for the card, applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid passport from their home country, and hold a legal immigration status in Kenya, such as a work permit, student pass, dependent pass, or another valid residency authorization.

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Applicants must also demonstrate an intention to remain in the country beyond the 90-day threshold.

According to Kenya's Directorate of Immigration Services, the application and renewal fee for the Alien ID card is KSh5,000 (about $38.61) per year.

Foreign nationals who remain in Kenya for more than 90 days without registering risk a penalty of KSh10,000 (about $77.22), making compliance an important requirement for long-term residents.

Who needs the card and what it is used for

The Alien ID card plays a crucial role in the daily lives of foreign residents, often serving as a recognized form of identification when accessing various services.

Authorities say the card helps streamline interactions with government agencies and private institutions while ensuring foreign nationals remain compliant with immigration regulations.

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Kenyan officials have also clarified the distinction between the Alien ID card and identification documents issued to refugees and other protected groups.

According to Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services Julius Bitok, refugees and foreign nationals residing in the country may be issued separate identification documents that allow access to essential services such as SIM card registration and other regulated services.

However, these documents do not confer Kenyan citizenship or any citizenship-related rights.

The clarification comes as Kenya continues efforts to modernize its immigration and population registration systems while strengthening oversight of foreign residents living and working in the country.

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For expatriates, international students, foreign workers, investors, and dependents residing in Kenya, obtaining an Alien ID card remains one of the key legal requirements for staying in the country beyond the initial 90-day period.

Failure to comply can result not only in financial penalties but also complications when seeking access to services that require proof of legal residency.