Facilitating immigration by international filmmakers

The Kenya Kwanza Government promised to establish a green channel immigration scheme and protocol service for international film makers.

While the Kenya Kwanza Government introduced new classes of work permits in 2024, none of the existing or new work permit classes specifically cater to international filmmakers.
The Kenya Film Commission (KFC) now acts as a centralized bridge for international crews, coordinating directly with the Department of Immigration to facilitate Special Passes (Work Permits) for foreign talent.
While a dedicated filmmaker visa is not yet in place, the January 2024 transition to the eTA system has effectively created a faster “green channel” for entry, allowing international professionals to apply for travel authorization online through the eCitizen platform with a standard two-day processing window.
To simplify production logistics, the government has streamlined import guidelines for filming equipment. Foreign crews can now bring in equipment on a temporary basis without a cash deposit or security bond, provided they use an accredited film agent.
The KFCB Regulators’ Handbook released in February 2025, serves as the formal protocol guide, detailing all visa and work permit requirements to ensure international professionals adhere to Kenyan law while experiencing minimal delays.

ABOUT MZALENDO

Mzalendo is a Kenyan non-partisan Parliamentary monitoring organization whose mission is to “promote the realization of open, inclusive, and accountable Parliaments across Kenya and Africa”.

BUILT AND MAINTAINED
WITH SUPPORT FROM

Website built by Wit Design

Disclaimer
This Promise Tracker is an independent civic-accountability tool designed to monitor and document the progress of public commitments made by the Government of Kenya. Information presented on this platform is compiled from publicly available sources including government publications, parliamentary records, policy documents, and credible media reports. The classifications used in this tracker represent an evidence-based assessment by the platform’s researchers and should be understood as analytical judgments rather than official government determinations. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and regular updates, the status of promises may evolve as new information becomes available. This website is not affiliated with or operated by the Government of Kenya.

Last updated: May 14, 2026 3:50 pm