Your first 90 days in Kenya: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
The KRA PIN is the gatekeeper for far more than tax — you cannot open a bank account, register a vehicle, or often even sign a lease without it, and it depends on the immigration document arriving first. That chain is the sequencing you have to plan around.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Apply through eCitizen for the residence permit or pass, then register for the Alien ID card at Immigration
Foreign nationals resident for more than 90 days must register as aliens; permit applications are lodged before your entry authorisation expires
Kenya replaced the old visa with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) in 2024, and everything immigration-related now runs through the eCitizen portal — including the digital nomad Class N permit introduced in 2024, which is the realistic route for remote workers.
Get your KRA PIN (Kenya Revenue Authority personal identification number)
Bank accounts, property, vehicle registration, utility connections and employment all require it — it is one of the most widely demanded numbers in the country.
Registered on the KRA iTax portal using your Alien ID or permit; it is issued quickly online once you have the underlying immigration document.
Open a bank account
Equity Bank, KCB and Standard Chartered open accounts on the KRA PIN plus Alien ID or permit. Kenya's real advantage is M-Pesa: mobile money is the dominant payment rail and a local SIM registered to your ID matters more day to day than the bank account does.
Enrol in healthcare
The SHIF scheme replaced NHIF in 2024 and requires registration and contributions from residents; in practice foreign residents use private hospitals (Nairobi Hospital, Aga Khan, MP Shah) with private or international insurance. Quality in the top Nairobi private hospitals is genuinely high.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign licence is accepted for the first three months, and an International Driving Permit is expected alongside it; residents then convert through the NTSA, presenting the original licence, KRA PIN and permit. Driving is on the left.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Kenya: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Kenya?
Apply through eCitizen for the residence permit or pass, then register for the Alien ID card at Immigration — Foreign nationals resident for more than 90 days must register as aliens; permit applications are lodged before your entry authorisation expires. Kenya replaced the old visa with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) in 2024, and everything immigration-related now runs through the eCitizen portal — including the digital nomad Class N permit introduced in 2024, which is the realistic route for remote workers. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the KRA PIN and do I need one?
KRA PIN (Kenya Revenue Authority personal identification number) is Kenya's personal tax/ID number. Bank accounts, property, vehicle registration, utility connections and employment all require it — it is one of the most widely demanded numbers in the country. Registered on the KRA iTax portal using your Alien ID or permit; it is issued quickly online once you have the underlying immigration document.
Can I drive in Kenya on a US license?
A foreign licence is accepted for the first three months, and an International Driving Permit is expected alongside it; residents then convert through the NTSA, presenting the original licence, KRA PIN and permit. Driving is on the left. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Kenya?
The SHIF scheme replaced NHIF in 2024 and requires registration and contributions from residents; in practice foreign residents use private hospitals (Nairobi Hospital, Aga Khan, MP Shah) with private or international insurance. Quality in the top Nairobi private hospitals is genuinely high. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Kenya's system treats foreign residents.