Kenya plans to issue “digital nomad” visas, giving foreign nationals, regardless of nationality, a chance to work in the sun and enjoy a lower cost of living in a country known as a popular safari destination with more than fifty of the world’s most breathtaking national parks and other wildlife preserves, rich history and cultural values.
“Digital nomads can experience the wonders of Magical Kenya every day while contributing to local economies,” President Ruto said while announcing its planned launch at the Magical Kenya Travel Expo 2024 at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi. The notion of a “digital nomad” has tended to suggest footloose freelancers, consultants, or other independent specialists and remote workers backpacking across countries while working online from their laptops.
As more countries continue to introduce a form of digital work permit in Africa, Kenya joins a few African countries like South Africa, Cape Verde, Mauritius, and Namibia in releasing a digital nomad visa that emphasizes longer-term stays over short-term breaks in a move to outbid each other in a global war for digital nomads and other tourists.
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The visas will be offered to people working remotely for corporations and other business enterprises outside Kenya and who derive no or very minimum income from Kenyan firms.
The law has yet to be passed – some details are still to be hammeŕed out – but the visa is expected to be issued to digital nomads upon presenting a contract of employment or, if freelance, showing that they have been regularly employed by a company outside Kenya and earn enough to be self-sufficient.
Further, it is said to be initially valid for six months to one year and renewable for up to five years, and digital nomads will be allowed to come in with their close family members.
It will also require applicants to have health insurance for the duration of their stay, suitable accommodations, and proof that they have not been convicted of a cŕime within the last five years.
Even though Kenya levies taxes on its citizens and residents based on their worldwide income, it is not yet clear how digital nomads will be taxed.
That is all we know about the Kenyan digital nomad visa.
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