- Class A: For anyone entering the prospecting and mining industries.
- Class B: For individuals interested in agriculture or animal husbandry.
- Class C: For anyone who is a member of a prescribed profession who will practice it alone or in a partnership in Kenya.
- Class D: This permit is meant for people offered specific employment with an employer, the Kenyan government, any authority under the Kenyan government, the United Nations (U.N.), or another approved agency. Anyone applying for a class D Kenya work permit must have skills and qualifications not available in the country.
- Class F: For people who want to engage in specific manufacturing activities.
- Class G: For anyone who wants to enter a certain trade, business, consultancy role, or profession.
- Class I: For individuals undertaking religious or charitable activities.
- Class K: For ordinary residents at least 35 years old with an annual income of a certain amount from sources other than employment.
- Class M: This permit is for anyone granted refugee status in the country.
- Duly filled and signed application Form 3
- Covering letter from employer/self/organisation depending on the class (as applicable)
- Copies of the foreign national's passport
- Two coloured Passport size photographs
- Application form fee
- The amount of investment and its impact on Kenya's economy, which is determined by the auditors' report or bank statement
- The number of jobs that will be created for Kenyans, which is determined by the application letter submitted by the applicant's agent
- The nationality of the applicant. An applicant has a higher chance of approval of his application if his or her country of origin has a stronger economy than that of Kenya and low criminal statistics and security threats.