Moving to the UK from Kenya benefits
There are many benefits to moving from Kenya to the UK. We have a strong economy with many well-paid skilled jobs across a wide range of sectors. Then, there is the excellent transport network, which makes it easy and affordable to travel and explore the UK and wider afield. If you want to run a business here, there are minimal levels of business administration and bureaucracy. And, of course, there is our rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as our wonderful ‘chocolate box’ villages, mountains, hills, lakes, and countryside. Many people are attracted to the UK for the high quality of education available here. We have many world-renowned universities, such as Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, St Andrews, and University College London (UCL).
What are the legal requirements for Kenyan citizens moving to the UK?
As a Kenyan national, you will need to apply for a suitable visa in order to move to the UK. The exact legal eligibility requirements will depend on the type of visa you apply for. The UK offers a wide range of visas for different needs, including visitor, work, study, business, self-sponsorship and family visas. Here are some of the legal requirements that you will need to meet for the most popular visa types:
Skilled Worker visa
The Skilled Worker visa will allow you to move from Kenya to work in the UK. As a Skilled Worker visa holder, you will be able to bring your dependent family members with you to the UK and settle here after 5 years of continuous residence. To make a successful application for a Skilled Worker visa as a citizen of Kenya, you must have an offer of a job with a UK employer with a sponsor licence. The rules also require that you have a salary of at least £38,700 per year (or the ‘going rate’ for your occupation). Bear in mind, however, that you may qualify with a lower salary threshold if you have a PhD, a job on the UK government’s immigration salary list, or are a new entrant to the job market. You will also need to meet the English Language requirements by passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) or by completing a degree that was taught in English.
UK Student visa
To apply for a Student visa as a Kenyan national, you must be at least 16 years old and have an offer of a place on a course from an approved and licenced educational provider. In addition, you will need to meet the English language requirement by passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) and have sufficient savings to support yourself.
Once you have completed your studies, you can stay for 2 more years on a graduate visa. Once you find full-time skilled work, you can then switch to a Skilled Worker visa, which will allow you to stay for up to 5 more years and then gain permanent settlement.
UK Innovator Founder visa
The UK Innovator Founder visa is a fantastic option for Kenyan entrepreneurs who want to set up and run a business here. To apply for a UK Innovator Founder visa, you must have a new, unique, viable, and scalable business idea that has been approved by an endorsing body in the UK. Best of all, this route can lead to accelerated permanent settlement in the UK after just 3 years rather than 5 years and citizenship one year later.
Family visa
If you have a partner or spouse, parent, or child who is settled in the United Kingdom, you may be eligible for a UK family visa as a national of Kenya. The eligibility requirements will depend on the type of family visa you apply for (e.g. spouse, child, or parent). For example, if you would like to join your partner or spouse in the UK, the main legal requirement is that you must have a combined income of £29,000. In addition, you will need to prove that you meet the English language requirement. If your application is successful, you will be able to stay for up to 5 years, at which point you can seek permanent residence and citizenship one year later.
How to set up your finances in the UK?
To set up your finances in the UK, we recommend taking the following steps:
- Set up a UK bank account. We recommend waiting until you arrive here to open a UK bank account because you will be asked for a photo ID and proof of your permanent address.
- Transfer your money from your bank in Kenya to the UK using a bank-to-bank transfer service or a trusted third-party money transfer service such as OFX and Wise.
- Apply for a National Insurance (NI) number once you have arrived in the UK. Make sure you provide this number to your employer before you start to work here.
- Tax – if you are employed, your tax will be collected by your employer automatically through the ‘Pay As You Earn’ (PAYE) system. If you are self-employed, you will need to complete an annual self-assessment form and ensure this is submitted to HMRC by the deadline required.
What is the cost of living in the UK?
The cost of living in the UK is higher than in Kenya. According to Numbeo, the cost of living comparison website, the overall cost of living in Kenya is 52.7% lower than in the UK (without rent) and 59.2% lower when rent is included. This is because rental prices in Kenya are 73.2% lower than in the UK. In addition, eating out in Kenya is 65.5% lower than in the UK, and grocery prices in Kenya are 47.4% lower.
While the cost of living here is more than in Kenya, remember that costs differ considerably depending on where you live in the UK. Rental prices in central London are almost always much higher compared to places outside of the capital. It is important to research where you would like to live and the cost of living in each area before you move from Kenya to the UK.
Emigrating to the UK from Kenya – Checklist
Moving to a new country is always challenging, especially to one with different customs and cultures. Our UK immigration Solicitors have assisted many Kenyan citizens and their family members in emigrating to the UK and understand how to make the process as smooth as possible. To make your move as straightforward, we recommend taking the following steps:
- Engage a UK-based immigration Solicitor who can explain all of the immigration routes available to you and your family. There may be routes available to you which are easier, cheaper, and faster to apply for, offering more favourable terms. A UK immigration Solicitor at AY&J can explain each of the routes available and recommend the best one/s based on your goals.
- To help you find a job in the UK, use UK job websites such as Indeed, Linkedin, and Totaljobs. Also, look at the websites of companies on the list of UK employers with a sponsor licencefor any vacancies.
- Cast your net wide when deciding where to live in the UK. Don’t just look at London and England but also consider Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
- Visit the UK before you move here. This will enable you to get a better feel for the area, facilities, schools, and transport in the areas you are considering.
- Check if there is space for your children at an independent or state school in your chosen area.
- Work out if you can afford to live comfortably in the UK by creating a detailed and realistic budget spreadsheet. Include your income after tax, the cost of groceries, and any other household bills such as insurance, council tax, transport, electricity, and heating. To make this more realistic, speak to someone you know in the UK about the real cost of living here.
- Estimate the cost of moving from Kenya to the UK, including transport, removal costs, housing rent deposit, visa application fees, immigration healthcare surcharge and immigration legal fees.
Self-Sponsorship enables Kenyan nationals and other overseas citizens to emigrate to the UK without the need to apply for and secure a job with a UK employer. This route works by setting up and running your own business in the UK and sponsoring yourself. As one of the leaders in the area of UK self-sponsorship, we can guide you through the process of making a successful self-sponsorship application from start to finish as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Emigrating to the UK as a non-Kenyan national
If you are not a Kenyan national but you would like to live, work, study, or join family members in the UK, you will need to apply for a visa first. Fortunately, the UK provides various visa options to accommodate a wide range of needs and circumstances. To determine the best visa for you and your family, we recommend consulting with one of our friendly and knowledgeable UK Immigration Solicitors. They are well-versed in all major immigration routes, including newer and innovative options like self-sponsorship.
Joining UK Family Members as a Non-Kenyan National
If you have a partner, spouse, parent, or child who resides in the UK and you want to join them, you can apply for a UK family visa. To be eligible for a UK family visa, your family member must be a UK citizen, a person with ILR, an EU/EEA national who started living in the UK before 1st January 2021 or have refugee status in the UK. Having made a successful family visa application, you can settle permanently after 5 years of continuous residence. Additionally, you can apply for British citizenship one year after obtaining permanent residency.
The documents required to move to the UK from Kenya will depend on the type of visa you are applying for. For example, if you are relocating on a work visa, you will typically need the following documents (this list is not exhaustive):
- A valid Kenyan passport
- Proof of a job offer for an eligible occupation
- A Certificate of Sponsorship
- A bank statement showing sufficient funds to support yourself and your immediate family members
These are just a few examples of the documents you may need. Your immigration advisor will provide a complete list based on your specific visa type. Additionally, you may need to have your documents translated into English.
Yes, to work for an employer in the UK as a Kenyan national, you must first be sponsored by a UK employer. If being sponsored by an employer does not appeal to you, you may be able to consider the self-sponsorship route, as explained above.
What should I consider before moving back to the UK from Kenya?
If you are a UK ex-pat returning from Kenya, we would always recommend considering your employment requirements, banking arrangements, and credit rating. Your credit rating may have diminished if you have been outside the UK for many years, which could make borrowing money or obtaining a mortgage more difficult. It’s also advisable to consult an accountant about your tax arrangements. If you have lived in Kenya for over five years, different income and capital gains tax rules may apply. Lastly, check if you need to ‘top up’ your national insurance contributions to qualify for a UK state pension.
Moving from Kenya to the UK requirements
Please see the legal requirements for moving from Kenya to the UK above.
Can you move to the UK from Kenya?
Yes, however, Kenyan citizens and their family members normally require a visa to live in the UK. Please see the visa options explained above.
Are Kenyan citizens allowed to work in the UK?
Yes, as a Kenyan national, you are allowed to work in the UK. However, you will need a job offer from an employer who can sponsor you, a Certificate of Sponsorship, and a work visa issued by the UK Home Office. Alternatively, you can come on a family visa, which also grants you the right to work.
Applying for a UK visa from Kenya
As a citizen of Kenya, you can apply for a visa online through the UK’s Home Office website. You will need to fully complete the application form, pay any required fees, and submit any documents required to support your case. You will also need to meet the requirements for the type of visa you are applying for. An immigration law specialist based in the UK can handle all of this on your behalf.
How long can a Kenyan citizen stay in the UK?
The duration of your stay in the UK depends on the type of visa you hold:
- Work visas are valid for up to 5 years.
- Student visas generally last for the duration of your course, but you can apply for a Graduate visa to remain in the UK for an additional 2 years to seek employment.
- Family visas can be issued for up to 5 years.
Most UK visas provide a pathway to permanent settlement after 5 years.
What is the cost of living in the UK?
Please see the cost of living section above.
A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with all types of visa applications. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or at contact us today. We’re here to help!
