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This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Kenya. Read about how the British High Commission Nairobi can help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Kenyan authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.听

Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.

Read general guidance on聽moving or retiring abroad

To stay up to date:聽 follow the British High Commission Nairobi on and

Before you go

See our travel advice for Kenya for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.听

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Kenya in our travel advice.

British nationals need to (ETA), at least 72 hours before travelling to Kenya. However, local authorities recommend applying at least 2 weeks before your departure. It is not possible to get an ETA on arrival.

For information on residence requirements contact the Kenyan and the聽.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Kenya.

Check the Kenya travel advice聽 for passport validity requirements.

You should be aware that renewing your British passport from Kenya can be a lengthy process. You can check current processing times for聽听补苍诲听听辞苍濒颈苍别.

Healthcare in Kenya

See information on聽health in Kenya. Also see the FCDO鈥檚聽list of medical facilities in Kenya.

Most expats in Kenya prefer to use private healthcare facilities, which are generally considered to offer a higher standard of medical care. If you plan to use private healthcare facilities in Kenya, you should ensure that you have appropriate medical insurance. Accessing treatment in a private medical facility without adequate insurance can be prohibitively expensive. Private health insurance may be provided by your employer in Kenya. If not, you should arrange comprehensive health insurance before you arrive.

A number of聽聽provide private health insurance cover while the聽聽provides public health insurance.

Medicine

If you are on a prescription for any medication, you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Kenya. Certain medicines may not be available in Kenya (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Kenya to find out about any alternative medication.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read the 听听

Medical emergencies

If you need emergency medical assistance whilst in Kenya, dial 999 or 112 and ask for an ambulance. Ambulances can be very slow to arrive. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company as soon as possible to inform them of what has happened. Hospitals may seek immediate payment by cash or card before treatment is given.

A number of private ambulance options are available, including from:

Other health risks

Malaria is common in some parts of Kenya, if you鈥檙e travelling to malaria areas, . For the latest updates and advice, visit the .

Water-borne diseases occur in Kenya. Drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.

Working in Kenya

Employment opportunities are available for British nationals; however, all non-Kenyan citizens require a permit to work in Kenya, including voluntary work.

The British High Commission does not facilitate work permits. If you are planning to move to Kenya and work, read the Kenya government鈥檚 听补苍诲听.

Studying in Kenya

Kenya offers a wide range of educational opportunities. There are state run schools and a wide variety of private fee-paying private schools. The British Council has a large presence here. If you plan to study in Kenya, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.

Contact the relevant higher education provider in Kenya to check what fees you have to pay.

Other useful links include:

• the
• the
• the

Tax

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Kenya. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Kenya. or more information on the聽鈥檚 website.

Read guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• tax if you get a pension and live abroad
• paying National Insurance while abroad聽 to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances

Benefits

Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you鈥檙e abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Pensions

搁别补诲听迟丑别听State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Kenya, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre聽for further information.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a 鈥榣ife certificate鈥� from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Money and banking

There are many international banks and investment companies operating in Kenya, some of which are UK affiliated. Most banks offer local and foreign currency accounts.

Card transactions are mainly used in malls, hotels and larger outlets but mobile money transactions are very common.

Requirements for opening a bank account in Kenya may include:

• ID or passport
• Minimum opening balance (varies with different banks)
• Utility bill/ lease agreement (for purpose of verifying physical address)
• Colour passport photograph
• Recommendation letter from an employer or other customer

Requirements for opening a mobile money account at a retailer outlet desk:

• Passport/ Kenyan foreigner certificate
• Mobile phone with Kenyan SIM card

Money transfer

Transferring money into Kenya is possible through all banks and money transferring companies such as and .

Accommodation and buying property

Foreigners can own property in Kenya but this is subject to certain legal restrictions. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Kenya for legal advice.

See buying a property abroad.

Driving in Kenya

You can drive in Kenya with a valid UK driving licence or on a valid聽International Driving Permit for up to three months. If you鈥檙e staying longer or living in Kenya, you will need to get a Kenyan driving licence from the which also provides more information about what to do when buying a car (including transferring ownership, registering your vehicle and acquiring a log book).

Kenya鈥檚 driving rules are similar to those in the UK; driving is on the left hand side of the road.听听

The speed limit is indicated in kilometres per hour.

Also see information on driving abroad.

If you鈥檙e asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver鈥檚 licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (eg the DVLA).

Guidance for travelling by road in Kenya

If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see聽taking vehicles out of the UK.

Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Kenya, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Voting

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• register as an overseas voter

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership

Births

If your child is born in Kenya, you should . You can then register the birth with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.

If your child has British nationality,聽you do not need to register the birth with the UK聽authorities to apply for a British passport.

You should be aware that obtaining a first British passport for a child born in Kenya is a lengthy process. You can聽听辞苍濒颈苍别. You cannot usually get an Emergency Travel Document for a child if they have never had a British passport. Applications for British passports are processed by His Majesty鈥檚 Passport Office in the UK and not by the British High Commission in Kenya.

Deaths

If someone dies in Kenya read our guidance on:

What to do if someone dies abroad.

bereavement guidance for Kenya. 聽

English-speaking lawyers in Kenya.

Marriage and civil partnership

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

See information on .听

Local authorities do not accept supporting documents issued in a digital format.

Emergencies

Dial 999 / 112聽/ 911 for the police, ambulance or fire brigade, or to report a missing child in Kenya.

If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Kenya, read the guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault abroad.听 See also English-speaking lawyers in Kenya for legal advice.

If you鈥檙e the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis,聽contact the British High Commission Nairobi.

You can also report serious crime to the on toll-free number 0800 722 203.

Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.

Returning to the UK

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently 聽which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.