Filming in Kenya – All Kenya

Special Passes

Foreign nationals and international filming crew are required to apply online for special passes and visas.

Special Passes are issued by the Department of Immigration. The special passes or work permits are available for Kshs 15,000.00
Application requirements need to be forwarded to the Department by the film agent who is facilitating the international film production.

Find all the requisite information necessary for your alien card, pass and permit application at https://fns.immigration.go.ke/

For more information please contact the Department through:

Department of Immigration Services
Nyayo House 9th floor, Kenyatta Avenue/Uhuru Highway
P.O. Box 30191,00100 Nairobi.
Tel:+254-20-2222022, +254-20-2217544, +254-20-2218833
Email: dis@immigration.go.ke

FILM LICENSES

Film Licenses are issued by the Department of Film Services (DFS). Fill out an application form and pay the application fee.

Documentaries, Dramas, Short Features Ads and Stills licenses cost: Ksh. 5,000. Licenses are issued immediately.

Full Length Feature Films and Reality TV shows: Ksh. 15, 000. License issued immediately.

There is also an extra Ksh. 1,000 per day for filming. To download the License application Form, click the link below

APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE TO MAKE A FILM OR TAKE COMMERCIAL STILL PHOTOGRAPHS

For more information log on to www.filmservices.go.ke

Removal of Current Import Duty 25% and VAT 16% on television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders

This was amended in the National Budget June 2009, effective date being 12^th June 2009.

The amendments done were:-

Removal of the current Import Duty of 25% and VAT of 16% on Television Cameras, Digital Cameras and Video Camera Recorders.
Zero-rating for VAT and taxable goods and services offered to film producers.
Granting a one hundred percent (100%) Investment deduction on Capital Expenditure incurred by a film producer or purchase of any filming equipment.

New regulation by Kenya Bureau of Standards on all importers of goods coming to kenya click here for more information

Kenya Wildlife Services 2016 tarriffs http://www.kws.go.ke/licensing

Email customerservice@kws.go.ke for further information

General Kenya Drone Laws

Drone use is allowed in Kenya, but there are several Kenya drone laws that need to be followed when flying in the country.

Latest news:

You must first receive approval to operate your drone from the ministry of Defence. Contact information at the bottom of this page.
Once you have received approval from the ministry of Defence you must apply to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and receive approval to fly your drone. Contact information is listed at the bottom of this page.

kenya drone laws

Kenyan production or service companies will arrange budgets, shooting schedules, breakdowns, recruitment of cast and crew, location surveys and reconnaissance trips, hire of equipment, facilities and service, accreditation for work permits, location permits, post production staff services, and payrolls, cost reports and budget reconciliations.

Work/Entry Permit in Kenya

Any Work or Residence Permits are issued to any Non-Kenyan wishing to engage in employment in Kenya whether in gainful employment or voluntary service. And this issued by the Immigration Department in Kenya, which is classified under Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011 of Laws of Kenya. The following are the various classes of Permits and their respective requirements.-

Note: All Non-Kenyan citizens must be in possession of an entry/work permit or exemption, issued by the Office of the Director of Immigration Services, before they can take up employment in Kenya, whether paid or unpaid.

Non-Kenyans wanting to carry out short term business assignments like assembling machinery, maintenance or performance whether paid or unpaid must obtain a Kenya Special Pass from The Director of Immigration Services.

Non-Kenyan students intending to pursue studies in Kenya at any level including internships, must obtain a Kenya Pupils Pass from the Director of Immigration Services before embarking on their studies.

Any inquiries should be addressed to:

Director of Immigration Services
Department of Immigration
Nyayo House 9th Floor
P.O. Box 30191-00100
Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel: +245-20-222022
Fax: +254-20-220731
Email: adis1@immigration.go.ke

Kenya Revue Authority

The KRA is mandated by the government of Kenya to Assess, Collect, Administer and Enforce laws relating to revenue.

The Authority is a Government agency that runs its operations in the same way as a private enterprise. In order to offer better single-window services to taxpayers, KRA is divided into five Regions as follows: Rift Valley Region, Western Region, Southern Region, Northern Region and Central Region.

In terms of revenue collection and other support functions, the Authority is divided into the following Departments:

Customs Services Department
Domestic Taxes Department
i) Domestic Revenue
ii) Large Taxpayers Office
Road Transport Department
Support Services Department
Investigations & Enforcement Department

The department that is highly tasked with film industry is mainly Domestic Taxes department and there are two main officers designated in assisting with film industry matters:

Deputy Commissioner – Airports Operations
Deputy Commissioner- Ports Operations

Equipment that comes into the country can be cleared in different categories,

The first scenario being (accompanied equipment) shipped in for a temporary stay into the country. The required upfront payment is always Kshs. 30,000 that serves as the security bond. But when the production company finishes their work they are refunded the money upon departure of personnel and equipment.

The second scenario is when it is unaccompanied equipment (sea or air), then a Temporary import of equipment form shall be filled in and the (particulars and value of equipment) are filled in specific details. That is when the security bond is calculated in relation to value of equipment being shipped into the county.

Thereafter they are forwarded together with the security bond to cover for any taxes or resale value in case the filming crew wishes to leave the equipment behind. The execution of the bond is usually done by the licensed clearing agents for example DHL, Kuehne & Nagel, Ballore Africa and Urgent cargo. It is important to note that there no taxes charged on the filming equipment imported into the country either by sea, road or air instead the security bond stands up as a security measure in case of any eventuality during the production and post-production process.

The clearing agents needs the following documents in order to clear the equipment: supporting documents, invoice to indicate payment and list of equipment that has been parked.