Is it possible to stay in Kenya for the whole year, or even just one day more than the three months provided by the tourist visa with the possibility of extension for another six, without working or investing a capital sum?
The answer to this question, one of the most popular among our readers, is YES.
But of course, under certain conditions.
The so-called "K" permit is generally referred to as a permit for pensioners or otherwise for people who can secure their livelihood through a monthly income, documented and transferred to a bank account in Kenya.
The primary condition is that the applicant must be not less than 35 years of age.
Secondly, he/she must secure and guarantee an annual income of not less than US$24,000, or the equivalent in any currency at the time of applying for the residence permit.
At the same time, the applicant must undertake not to engage in any employment or conduct any business or activity for profit while in Kenya.
Penalty for non-compliance is withdrawal of the permit and expulsion from the country.
In the case of a state or private pension, it will be enough to produce the necessary documents proving the monthly income of the amount, in the case of the possibility of supporting oneself with an annuity, it will be enough to produce a surety of 24 thousand dollars through a foreign bank and a Kenyan bank.
Application forms and information on other required documents can be found on the Kenyan immigration website (fns.immigration.co.ke).
Of course, there are other ways to live in Kenya for at least 360 days a year without residency.
Leaving aside the unorthodox ones, which we strongly advise against (both because in addition to being illegal, they could activate vicious circles and bring you big trouble and moreover feed the corruption that in this country has many other unpleasant implications for foreigners), the most widely used method is that once the six-month tourist visa has expired, to go abroad for at least five days (to Italy or, for example, to Ethiopia or Dubai, just to mention two of the cheapest destinations in terms of flights and overnight stays; Tanzania and Uganda are not valid) and return by paying for a new visa (currently 50 dollars) and start again from scratch.