New work passes available for researchers, interns

IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? Pursuant to the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations, the Department of Immigration Services, or DIS, is now issuing passes for foreign national researchers and interns who are performing academic research or participating in an academic internship.

What does the change mean? Foreign researchers and interns may now apply for the new passes.

• Implementation timeframe: Immediate.
• Visas/permits affected: Researcher’s Pass and Internship Pass.
• Who is affected: Research institutions, foreign nationals performing academic research, students on internships.
• Impact on processing times: None.

Background: The DIS announced two new types of work passes for researchers and interns.

• Researcher Passes are now available to foreign academic researchers. Applicants must be registered at a research institution and produce a letter confirming financial support from the research institution. A Researcher’s Pass takes six to eight weeks to process and is valid for 12 months. A researcher’s permit from the local sponsoring institution is also required.
• Internship Passes are now available to foreigners undertaking an academic internship. Applicants must have a local sponsor and produce a letter confirming financial support from the sponsoring institution. An Internship Pass takes six to eight weeks to process and is valid for 12 months.

BAL Analysis: The new passes will give companies more flexibility in hiring and assigning foreign researchers and interns to Kenya.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Kenya. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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