You do not need to be in Kenya to register a company there. Remote company registration in Kenya is fully possible, and Kenyan diaspora investors from the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia do it every day. Here is exactly how it works, what documents you need from abroad, and how Ultimus Advisory makes the entire process seamless without you leaving your city.
Living abroad does not mean leaving your business ambitions in Kenya behind. Whether you are a Kenyan in the diaspora looking to invest back home, a foreign national eyeing Kenya’s fast-growing market, or a UK-based company wanting a presence in East Africa, the question is the same: can you register a company in Kenya without being physically there?
Fortunately, physical presence is no longer a requirement. Kenya’s company registration process is completed online through the eCitizen portal, making it possible to register a company from anywhere in the world. However, non-residents often face challenges with documentation requirements, KRA PIN registration, and navigating the process remotely.
Below is everything you need to know about registering a company in Kenya from abroad, including requirements, documents, the registration process, timelines, and key considerations for diaspora investors and foreign business owners.
Also Read: How to Register a Company in Kenya
Can a Foreigner or Diaspora Kenyan Register a Company in Kenya?
Yes, Kenya allows foreigners to register and fully own a company in most sectors. There is no requirement for a local partner or co-owner unless you are entering a sector with specific foreign ownership restrictions, such as insurance or certain agricultural activities.
For the vast majority of businesses, including retail, technology, consultancy, logistics, real estate, and professional services, 100% foreign ownership is permitted.
Kenyan citizens living abroad, whether in the UK, USA, Canada, or Australia, retain full rights to register and own a company in Kenya. Your Kenyan passport or national ID is sufficient to establish your identity in the registration process.
Two Routes for Registering a Company in Kenya from Abroad
Before starting the process, you need to decide which type of entity best fits your situation. Once you’re decided, you have two main routes to register your business in Kenya from abroad, and the right one depends on whether you are setting up a brand new Kenyan company or bringing an existing foreign company into the market.
Option 1: Incorporate a New Private Limited Company in Kenya
This is the most common route for Kenyan diaspora investors and individual foreign nationals. You incorporate a brand new Private Limited Company in Kenya, registered under the Companies Act, 2015. The company is a fully Kenyan legal entity, separate from any foreign company or individual, with its own registration number, KRA PIN, and bank account.
This option gives you the most flexibility. You can take on local clients and contracts, apply for government tenders, hire Kenyan staff, and open a corporate bank account, all in the company’s name.
Option 2: Register a Branch of a Foreign Company in Kenya
If you already have a registered company in the UK, USA, Canada, or Australia and want to extend its operations into Kenya, registering a branch office is the alternative route.
The registration of foreign corporations in Kenya through a branch requires submitting the parent company’s incorporation documents, its memorandum and articles of association, and the details of a local representative who will be responsible for the branch in Kenya.
Branch offices must also file the parent company’s audited financial statements with BRS every year, which adds to the compliance burden compared to a locally incorporated company.
For most diaspora investors starting fresh in Kenya, incorporating a new Private Limited Company is the simpler and more practical choice. Registering a branch of a foreign company in Kenya makes more sense when the business is a direct operational extension of an existing overseas entity.
Documents Required for Remote Company Registration in Kenya
The documentation requirements for registering a company in Kenya from abroad follow the same framework as a local registration, with a few additional steps for non-resident directors and shareholders. Here is what you need to prepare before Ultimus Advisory can begin the process.
For Diaspora Kenyan Directors or Shareholders
- Valid Kenyan passport or national ID card, with a clear color scan of the photo page
- KRA PIN certificate (see the section below on obtaining a KRA PIN from abroad)
- Proof of current residential address, such as a utility bill or bank statement no older than three months
- Passport-size photograph
If your Kenyan national ID is expired or you are travelling on a foreign passport, your valid Kenyan passport remains the preferred identity document for the BRS registration process.
For Foreign National Directors or Shareholders
- Valid foreign passport with a clear color scan of the photo page
- Proof of residential address no older than three months
- KRA PIN for non-citizens, obtained through the KRA iTax portal using your passport
- Passport-size photograph
All documents can be submitted digitally. Ultimus Advisory accepts scanned copies by email and manages the upload process to the BRS portal on your behalf, so there is no need to courier physical documents to Kenya.
Getting a KRA PIN from Outside Kenya
Every director and shareholder in a Kenyan company must have a Kenya Revenue Authority PIN before the company can be registered.
The good news is that KRA allows non-resident individuals to register for a PIN through the iTax portal using a foreign passport as the identity document. The process is done entirely online and doesn’t require you to be physically present in Kenya.
Ultimus Advisory guides clients through the KRA PIN registration process as part of the remote company registration service, ensuring every director and shareholder has a valid PIN before the BRS application is submitted.
How the Remote Company Registration Process Works
Registering a company in Kenya from abroad is straightforward when handled by experienced professionals. Once you provide the required documents and company details, Ultimus Advisory manages the entire registration process on your behalf.
- Submit your documents and company details to the Ultimus Advisory team.
- Document verification and review is carried out to ensure everything meets the requirements of the Business Registration Service (BRS).
- Company name search and reservation is conducted through the eCitizen portal.
- Preparation and submission of incorporation documents is completed on your behalf.
- Application monitoring and follow-up is handled by our team, including responding
- to any queries raised during the review process.
- Company registration approval is obtained from the Business Registration Service.
- Certificate of Incorporation and company documents are delivered to you electronically.
In most cases, the registration process takes between 3 and 5 business days once all required documents have been submitted and verified. Upon completion, you receive your Certificate of Incorporation and other relevant company registration documents without the need to travel to Kenya.
Key Facts for Diaspora and Foreign Investors
| Detail | Information |
| Can foreigners own 100% of a Kenyan company? | Yes, in most sectors |
| Do you need to be in Kenya to register? | No, the process is fully remote |
| Government registration fee | Approximately KES 10,650 |
| Processing time with Ultimus Advisory | 3 to 5 business days |
| KRA PIN required for each director? | Yes, obtainable online from abroad |
| Physical address required in Kenya? | Yes, a registered office address |
| Company secretary required? | Yes, must be Kenya-based and qualified |
Do You Need a Physical Address in Kenya?
Yes. The Companies Act requires every registered company in Kenya to have a physical registered office address in Kenya. A P.O. Box is not accepted.
For diaspora and foreign investors who don’t yet have a physical presence in Kenya, this is one of the practical hurdles that a local registration service helps resolve. Ultimus Advisory can advise on registered office address solutions as part of the remote registration service.
Register Your Kenyan Company Without Leaving Home
Distance should never stand between you and a business opportunity. With Kenya’s digital registration system and the right professional support, you can legally establish and operate a Kenyan company from anywhere in the world.
Ultimus Advisory helps diaspora investors and foreign entrepreneurs navigate the entire process, from registration and KRA PIN applications to obtaining the Certificate of Incorporation. We take care of the details so you can focus on launching and growing your venture.
Get started today and register your Kenyan company with confidence through Ultimus Advisory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be the sole director of a Kenyan company while living abroad?
Yes. There is no requirement for a Kenyan-resident director in a Private Limited Company. You can be the sole director and sole shareholder of a Kenyan company while living in the UK, USA, Canada, or Australia. You will however need a Kenya-based company secretary who meets the professional qualification requirements under the Companies Act.
Can I open a Kenyan bank account remotely?
Corporate bank account opening in Kenya requires the physical presence of at least one signatory in most banks. Some banks with diaspora-focused services have begun to accommodate remote account opening with notarised documents, but this varies by institution. Ultimus Advisory can advise on the best approach for your specific situation after the company is registered.
What sectors are restricted for foreign investors in Kenya?
Most sectors are open to 100% foreign ownership. Restrictions apply in areas including insurance brokerage, certain banking activities, and some categories of agricultural land ownership. If you are unsure whether your intended business activity has foreign ownership restrictions, Ultimus Advisory can confirm this before you begin the registration process.
