Tag: digital nomad

Does Kenya Have a Digital Nomad Visa?

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So many freelancers and remote workers in different parts of the world are opting to travel while working, as part of a global community known as digital nomads.  

But does Kenya have a digital nomad visa? How do you enter Kenya legally to work as a remote worker? Read on to find out everything you need to know about whether Kenya has a digital nomad visa in 2023.  

So, does Kenya have a digital nomad visa?

No, Kenya does not have a digital nomad visa. If you wish to enter Kenya for work, you are legally required to apply for the relevant work permit. For short-term stays of up to ninety days, you can apply for a tourist visa. Read on to learn more about how to legally enter Kenya if you’re planning to live and work in the country as a digital nomad. 

How can you legally enter Kenya for remote work?

As is the case with many countries around the world, if you want to legally work in Kenya, you must obtain the relevant work permit. Currently, Kenya offers Class A – Class K work permits, ranging from prospecting & mining to approved religious or charitable activities. You can find a detailed breakdown of all of the available work permits, as well as details of how to apply for them, here, via the Kenyan Directorate of Immigration Services. 

Basically, to legally work in Kenya, you need to be sponsored by a Kenyan-registered company, as one of the main requirements is to provide an invitation letter. As most digital nomads are freelancers or self-employed business owners, this rules out the work permit option for the vast majority of remote workers looking to settle in Kenya. 

What about a Kenyan tourist visa?

A Kenyan tourist visa is extremely easy to apply for and you can do so online, via the government’s electronic visa portal. When I visited Diani Beach for a family holiday last year, I obtained my e-visa in less than two days, and it was an extremely easy and effortless process.  

Now, can you enter Kenya as a digital nomad on a tourist visa? Legally, no, you can’t, as the tourist visa clearly stipulates that any type of work is prohibited during your stay in the country. I’m a member of several online communities and I know of people who enter various countries around the world as digital nomads on tourist visas. However, it’s not legally permitted in Kenya, and I wouldn’t advise you to do so. 

If you’re planning to visit multiple East African countries on an upcoming trip, starting in Kenya, check out my complete guide to obtaining the East African Tourist Visa. 

Alternatives to Kenya for digital nomads?

Unfortunately, Kenya doesn’t currently offer a visa for digital nomads. This is also the case with most East African countries, as I explained in my guide to Uganda for digital nomads.  

Right now, the best country in East Africa for digital nomads is undoubtedly Mauritius – a stunning island off the East coast of the continent that has one of the easiest digital nomad visas to apply for.  

You can apply for a Mauritius digital nomad visa if you earn more than $1,500 per month and meet some other pretty basic requirements. Find out more about becoming a digital nomad in Mauritius here, if you have your heart set on working remotely in Africa. 

The verdict: Does Kenya have a digital nomad visa?

Right now, Kenya does not have a specific visa for digital nomads. If you wish to legally enter Kenya for work, you must apply for the relevant work permit, depending on the industry that you’re employed in. As more and more countries open their doors to digital nomads, I will update this article if Kenya decides to launch a digital nomad visa in the near future. 

Does Uganda Have a Digital Nomad Visa?

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Africa, as a continent, is late to the digital nomad party. While there are some brilliant programs up-and-running on the continent – Mauritius, Cape Verde, and Namibia – for instance, there certainly isn’t as much choice here as there is in Asia and Europe for anyone looking to work remotely as a digital nomad.

I live in Uganda with my family and a reader recently asked me – does Uganda have a digital nomad visa?

So, in this article, I layout everything you need to know about whether you can currently be a digital nomad in the Pearl of Africa and what the immediate future looks like for remote workers in this part of East Africa.

So, does Uganda have a digital nomad visa?

No, Uganda does not have a digital nomad visa. At the time of writing, the government has not announced any plans to launch one, either.

How can you legally enter Uganda for remote work?

As is the case with many countries in Africa, Uganda does not currently have a dedicated remote work or digital nomad visa.

Rather, the country operates a conventional work permit system, where you’re required to apply for a work permit based on the work that you’re planning to do in the country.

Unfortunately for remote workers, there currently isn’t a category that covers digital nomads generically. Essentially, if you want to work in Uganda legally, you must be invited by a Ugandan company.

You can find out more about Ugandan work permits and how to apply here.

What about a Ugandan tourist visa?

Residents of most countries can apply for an online tourist visa to enter Uganda. The visa is valid for a maximum of three months.

However, it clearly states on the tourist visa that any form of work is prohibited while in Uganda on this visa, whether that’s remote work or work undertaken with a Ugandan company.

I’m part of several online communities where I know of digital nomads who enter countries on tourist visas to work remotely. But I certainly wouldn’t recommend this in Uganda.

Though it’s disappointing, the fact that Uganda doesn’t have a digital nomad visa means that the government hasn’t yet decided to open the country to remote workers. I will update this article if this changes in the near future.

Alternatives to Uganda for digital nomads?

I fully understand why digital nomads might be attracted to Uganda. There are so many stunning natural places to explore and Kampala is a vibrant city (if not a bit chaotic!).

If you have your heart set on continuing your digital nomad adventure in East Africa, I highly recommend Mauritius as the number one destination.

Mauritius has a dedicated digital nomad visa that is available to remote workers who earn over $1,500 per month. What’s more, it’s completely free to apply for and it has a relatively quick turnaround time.

You can find out more about how to apply for the Mauritius digital nomad visa via Citizens Remote.

The verdict: Does Uganda have a digital nomad visa?

Unfortunately for would-be remote workers, Uganda does not currently offer a digital nomad visa. Unless you’re invited to work in Uganda, it’s difficult to obtain a work permit. As such, most international visitors who come to Uganda do so with a tourist visa, which can be obtained online.