Applying for a Dependant's Pass in Kenya

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Introduction

Under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011, it is a requirement that for any person to be allowed entry and to stay in Kenya, they have to hold a valid pass or permit. One of the Passes provided under the Act is a Dependant’s pass.

What is a Dependant’s pass?

A dependant’s pass is a pass issued to a person who is dependant on  a Kenyan citizen, a permit holder, a permanent resident or exempted persons from obligations of a work permit in Kenya.

Section 26 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations, 2012 provides that a person who is lawfully in or entitled to enter Kenya by virtue of being a citizen of Kenya; having been issued with a permit; being an exempted person; or being a permanent resident may apply on behalf of his or her dependant to an Immigration officer.

Who qualifies to be issued with a Dependant pass?

Under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011, the following persons are eligible to be issued with a Dependant’s pass in Kenya.

  1. Children of Kenyan Citizens;
  2. Spouses of Kenyan Citizens;
  3. Children of permit holders, permanent residents or exempted persons from obtaining a work permit;
  4. Spouses of permit holders, permanent residents or exempted persons from obtaining a work permit;
  5. Elderly parents who are unable to take care of themselves; and
  6. Other persons as shall be approved by the Director of Immigration Services.

What is the Criteria applied when issuing a Dependant’s pass in Kenya?

The Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations,2012 provide that for dependant pass to be issued by an Immigration officer, he or she has to be satisfied that:

  1. the person, on whose behalf the application is made, depends on the person making the application for his or her maintenance;
  2. the Dependant is a spouse or child of the applicant or is by reason of age, disability or any incapacity unable to maintain himself adequately or for some other reason relies upon the applicant for for his or her maintenance; and
  3. the applicant has an income sufficient to enable him or her to maintain and continue to maintain the Dependant for the duration of the Dependant’s stay in the country.

Application Requirements for a Dependant’s Pass in Kenya

For one to be able to obtain a Dependant pass in Kenya, below are the requirements: 

  1. Duly filled and signed Form 28;
  2. Detailed and Signed Cover letter from the applicant addressed to the Director of Immigration Services;
  3. Two (2) recent colored passport size photographs of the Applicant and Dependant;
  4. Copy of a valid national passport / National ID for both the Applicant and the Dependant;
  5. Evidence of the relationship between the applicant and the dependant, being a Copy of Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate among others;
  6. Documentary evidence of any other condition leading to dependency i.e. disability etc.;
  7. Proof of sufficient and assured income to sustain self and the Dependant;
  8. Processing fee of Kshs. 20, 000.00.

Once the Dependant pass has been issued, the Dependant shall then be entitled to enter Kenya within the period specified in the pass and to remain in Kenya during the validity of the pass.

It is however important to note that the holders of Dependant passes are not allowed to engage in any form of paid work or income generating activities without a requisite pass or permit.

Another important issue to note is that while the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act No.12 of 2011 and its subsidiary legislation provide for issuance of Dependant passes in respect of male Dependants, the Immigration department is however usually hesitant to issue the same to male  Dependants this is due to cultural reasons as they in some instances state that a man should not rely on a woman, there are however exceptions to this which lie on the discretion of the Director of Immigration Services.

How can we assist you?

We have assisted numerous Clients in obtaining Dependant passes in Kenya and have the necessary expertise to assist you with the application.

In the even that you would like to engage KELA Immigration Agency in the application for a Dependant pass, kindly do not hesitate to contact us on info@kelaimmigrationagency.co.ke or +254701639390, whether you are based in Kenya or abroad.