frequently-asked-questions

You are allowed, among other items, one motor vehicle (excluding buses and minibuses) into the country duty free subject to the following conditions: • You must have resided outside Kenya for at least twelve (12) months. • You must have personally owned and used the motor vehicle outside Kenya for at least twelve months. • The motor vehicle must not be older than 8 years. • You must have attained the age of eighteen years. You must not have been granted a similar exemption previously. Exemptions: Items that may be exempted when imported as baggage by a returning resident are: • Wearing apparel • Personal and household effects which were in your personal or household use in your former place of residence

Movements of seeds across the borders are highly regulated and may require permits because of the threat of plant diseases, pests, and toxic weeds. For details contact US department of agriculture. Animal and Plant Inspection Service:” plantproducts.permits@usda.gov and for other general information visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis

Kenya also regulates the importation of seeds from any borders/outside source. For plant export contact PPQExportServices@usda.gov or in Kenya contact kephisinfo@kephis.org or director@kephis.org. You can also obtain additional information by visiting https://kephis.org.

No, donations into the Kenya are taxable unless exempted by the National Treasury and provisions of the 5th Schedule of the East African Community Customs Management Act.

The Embassy paused the programmes of visiting large metropolitan cities with huge population of Kenyans to offer consular services after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. However, once the situation eases, the Embassy will restore the visits.

Please check the link for updated information: COVID-19 Requirements for travel to Kenya – Kenya Embassy Washington D.C. (kenyaembassydc.org)

So long as you have a PIN, you are obliged to file your tax returns and pay your taxes via iTax on or before the due date.

At the moment, the Embassy does not offer either scholarships or education grants to Kenyans in Diaspora.

Company registration processes are now online and must be done on the E-Citizen platform. Payment is made via electronic means such as mobile money, credit or debit cards for details go to https://brs.go.ke

Kenya has highly formalized structures that facilitate investment. Your first stop should be at the Embassy where you will be guided appropriately at no cost.

Pin Registration is an online process done via iTax system which is available on the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) website.

Currently, there several stations outside Kenya processing ePassports, this includes Washington DC, Los Angeles Consulate, London, Berlin, Paris, Dubai and Pretoria. The Washington office is serving USA, Mexico, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.

This Service is currently available in DC, NY and LA. Just like passport, this service is at the moment available strictly on appointments as it involves close contact. First time applicants and Kenyans who have lost their IDs are encouraged to apply for it now.

A Kenyan Resident returning from a country that operates Left Hand Drive (LHD) motor vehicles shall be allowed to import a replacement Right Hand Drive (RHD) vehicle from any other source subject to the following conditions: • The person must be bona fide changing residence (Permanently) from a place outside Kenya and not merely making temporary visits back home. • The person must fulfill all the requirements for importation of personal and household effects by a returning resident as outlined under paragraph 5 of part B of the 5th schedule to the east African Community Customs Management Act, 2004. • The returning resident must proof that he/she owned and personally used a LHD vehicle in the country of former residence for a period of at least one year, prior to his/her return. • The returning resident must provide proof of disposal (Transfer of ownership) of the previous owned LHD vehicle before changing residence from the former country of residence. • The current retail selling price (CRSP) of the RHD replacement vehicle shall not exceed that of previously owned LHD vehicle. • Both the previously owned LHD vehicle and the RHD replacement vehicle shall not be of any of the following categories: – • Bus or Minibuses of a seating capacity of more than 13 passengers • Load carrying vehicles of load carrying capacity exceeding two tones The replacement vehicle must comply with the Kenya Bureau of Standards requirements of Legal Notice No. 78 of 15th July 2005 (Verification of Conformity to Kenya Standards Imports Order, 2005) and KS1515:2000 Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles. These guidelines shall only apply to residents returning from countries that operate LHD motor vehicles who had previously owned and used a LHD vehicle in the country of former residence. Required Documents: Supporting documents should be attached including but not limited to: • Passport – original, (if issued within last 2 years, the old passport is also required) • Residence Visa/Work Permit – original • PIN Certificate obtained through the Kenya Revenue Authority • Bill of Lading/Air Waybill original • Comprehensive Valued Inventory 3 copies, detailed per box /boxes numbered, signed by owner • Comprehensive Packing List • Authority letter Nominating a licensed custom clearing agent to act on their behalf • Original logbook from country of importation in case of motor vehicle

Kenyans who were born before 27 August 1987 and had acquired other citizenship before 27 August 2010 (the date of promulgation of COK, 2010) are deemed to have lost their Kenyan citizenship and hence are required to apply to regain their Kenyan citizenship under the provision of Article 14(5) of COK, 2010. Elsewhere, all Kenyans who are Dual citizens and above the age of maturity are required to file an application for Dual citizenship disclosure. All duly signed applications can be mailed to DC, NY or LA for onward transmission to Nairobi for processing.

The Embassy opened its doors for in person services but strictly on appointment basis on 19th October 2020 after several months of lockdown. Though this arrangement was aimed at mitigating against the spread of covid-19 by ensuring social distancing in line with CDC protocols and the order of the Mayor of Washington D.C, the move has caused a backlog of work at the Embassy due to limited number of persons being served per day. The Embassy however, has a contingency plan for attending all urgent/emergency cases.

The collection of biometrics is a sensitive process that has security bearing. Consequently, the use of third party to collect biometric may not be feasible due to necessary security precautions.

The Government of Kenya has recently extended the validity of the dark blue machine-readable passport period to November 2022. Kenyans are therefore requested to take advantage of the extension and apply for e-passports as this might be the government’s final extension. It is important to note that Kenyans whose passports have expired can apply for the issuance of emergency travel documents in DC, NY or LA.

Our website gives a list of the areas that opportunities are available. Kenya’s investment promotion agency Keninvest (https://www.invest.go.ke) also provides specific projects opportunities. Enquiries can also be directed to the agency i.e. inquire@invest.go.ke

The following are requirements for registration of a Diaspora group/organization with the Embassy: 1. Address 2. Registration certificate ( for the registered organizations) 3. Copy of the articles of association/ constitution 4. Nature of the group; church, business focus or welfare etc 5. Leadership 6. Membership 7. Contacts ( telephone numbers, website, emails, etc) 8. Any other relevant information

You can get information on the following: • Investment opportunities • Investment promotion agencies • Information on tourism

The Embassy issues no objection letter for the transportation of the remains of Kenyans who passes on, including cases due to COVID-19 complications.

There are 3 offices in the USA offering consular services namely Kenya Embassy in Washington DC and the Consulates in New York and Los Angeles. All consular services are well explained in the Embassy website: www.kenyaembassydc.org. Washington DC and Kenya consulate in LA are currently the only centers in the USA where Kenyans can apply for the issuance of e-passport. The service is strictly by appointment as the Embassy is conforming to the CDC guidelines and the orders by the Mayor of Washington DC to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Appointment slots will be increased as the situation unfolds. The Embassy is however exploring ways in which the service can also be cascaded to the consulate in New York. Nevertheless, persons who are in urgent need of Kenya passports are encouraged to write to the Embassy through immigration@kenyaembassydc.org explaining why the urgency/emergency.