Kenya Revives the Idea of a “Golden Visa”: Investors Could Get Residency

Kenya’s investment promotion agency is considering launching a residency-by-investment program, which could potentially give foreign investors the right to permanent residence. The initiative was first discussed in 2019, but it never took shape in legislation.

The project is being coordinated by Invest Kenya. At the same time, the agency has not yet specified a concrete investment threshold, nor which sectors would be eligible. It also stresses that it does not have authority to directly influence the immigration rules needed to implement such a scheme.

John Mwendwa, CEO of Invest Kenya who took office in January 2025, described the plan as preliminary. In an interview with Business Daily, he said: “We are exploring the possibility of residency through investment,” adding that, in his view, this approach aligns more closely with investors’ expectations.

Mwendwa also emphasized that launching the program would require a legal instrument, since immigration policy falls outside Invest Kenya’s mandate. He cautioned against announcing figures too early, noting that the investment thresholds and selection criteria have not been agreed and would likely be set by other institutions.

Back in 2019, the idea was broader in scope and came from the agency’s leadership at the time: it focused on incentives for high-impact investors, including not only tax benefits but also more “tangible” advantages. That earlier version was closer to offering citizenship. Today, the discussion is limited to residency only. Talks with the Ministry of the Interior did not move the initiative forward, though officials pointed to the need for safeguards against potential misuse.

A Current Pathway for Investors

Today, foreign investors in Kenya can rely on the Investor Permit under Category G. To obtain the permit, applicants must invest at least USD 100,000 in an active business in the country. Holders of this permit must maintain it for seven years, after which they can apply for citizenship by registration. Business Daily also notes that applicants must additionally meet a three-year period of continuous residence before filing.

The logic of the current model is partly driven by the fact that investors need to renew their documents regularly and pay annual fees tied to work permits. Invest Kenya believes a separate route to permanent residency could reduce administrative costs and make it easier to run a business in Kenya over the long term.

Where the Program Would Fit and What’s Known So Far

Renewed discussions are happening amid a broader global trend: many governments are pairing residency rights with tax incentives to retain and attract mobile capital. In 2025, Kenya attracted about USD 3.2 billion in foreign direct investment, according to UNCTAD data—an all-time high—with inflows up 37.7% year on year (as cited by Business Daily).

Nairobi could join African countries that already use “golden visas” or residency programs for investors. In particular, Ethiopia previously announced a 10-year scheme, while residency pathways are also in place in South Africa and Mauritius. Overall, looking at existing programs across the continent helps clarify where a potential Kenyan version might be positioned among similar offerings.

For now, however, this is still only a direction rather than a finalized proposal: Invest Kenya has not published an official draft, and a bill has not been submitted or reached parliament. Investment thresholds and timelines remain “to be defined.”

Kenya is revisiting the idea of a golden visa: an investment-based residence permit may become available once the required legislation is adopted. If you’re exploring an investment residence pathway and want to understand likely scenarios, thresholds, and eligibility criteria in advance, Digital Nomad can help you map out your next steps. Visit https://digital-nomad.gr/en/goldenvisa to learn how we support clients seeking residency through investment.

Our Telegram channel about various types of Greek residence permits, digital nomad programs, and the Greek Golden Visa: @digitalnomadgr