Must I appoint a local Kenyan director in a foreign-owned company in Kenya?

No. A foreign-owned company is not required to appoint a local director. However, a local company secretary or representative is typically appointed to assist with statutory compliance and filings.

Company with Only Foreign Directors Can Get a KRA PIN in Kenya (Guide 2026)

Q: Can I register a company as a foreigner in Kenya?

Yes. Foreigners can legally register and fully own a company in Kenya, including holding 100% shareholding under the Companies Act, 2015.

Q: How do I register a company in Kenya as a foreigner?

You can register a company through the eCitizen platform under the Business Registration Service (BRS). The process involves submitting incorporation documents and ensuring compliance with tax registration and any applicable immigration requirements.

Q: Can a foreigner apply for a KRA PIN in Kenya?

Yes. Foreigners can apply for a KRA PIN using their passport details. The PIN is required for tax compliance, company registration processes, and general business operations in Kenya.

Q: How much does it cost to register a foreign company in Kenya?

The official government fee for registering a company in Kenya is approximately KES 10,650. Additional professional service fees may apply if you engage a consultant or agent to assist with the process.

Q: What types of companies can foreigners register in Kenya?

Foreign investors can register different types of business structures in Kenya, including a private limited company, a branch office, a subsidiary company, or a company limited by guarantee. Each structure has different compliance and operational requirements.

Q: Can I register a company alone in Kenya as a foreigner?

Yes. A foreigner can register a single-member company in Kenya as both the sole shareholder and sole director. However, they must still meet tax registration and statutory compliance requirements to operate the business.

May 6, 2026

Estimated Read time: 4 Mins

Key Takeaways

A Company with Only Foreign Directors can get a KRA PIN in Kenya, but only if all foreign directors first obtain individual personal KRA PINs.
The company KRA PIN is directly linked to directors’ personal KRA PINs, making individual registration a mandatory first step.
Without personal KRA PINs for ALL foreign directors, the company KRA PIN application will be rejected or delayed by KRA.
The KRA PIN itself is free to apply, but professional assistance may be required for compliance, document preparation, and smooth approval.

Table of Contents

Introduction
What is a KRA PIN in Kenya?
Difference Between Company KRA PIN and Personal KRA PIN
Can a Company with Only Foreign Directors get a KRA PIN in Kenya?
What are the requirements needed for a Company with Only Foreign Directors to get a KRA PIN in Kenya?
Step-by-Step Process of Company KRA PIN Application in Kenya
How Long Does It Take to Get a Company KRA PIN in Kenya?
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Company KRA PIN in Kenya?
FAQs – Company with Only Foreign Directors KRA PIN in Kenya
Conclusion
Need Help Getting Your Company KRA PIN in Kenya?
Disclaimer

Introduction

If you are setting up a Company with Only Foreign Directors in Kenya, one of the most important steps you must complete is obtaining a KRA PIN for your company.

A Company with Only Foreign Directors can get a KRA PIN in Kenya structure is fully allowed under Kenyan law, but it comes with strict tax registration rules from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

Many foreign investors struggle with this stage because they are unsure whether a company with only foreign directors can actually obtain a KRA PIN.

But here is the big question most foreign investors ask:

Can a company with only foreign directors actually get a KRA PIN in Kenya?

The answer is YES — but there are important requirements you must meet first.

In this guide by M&A Registrars, you will learn exactly how a Company with Only Foreign Directors can get a KRA PIN in Kenya, what documents are required, and the step-by-step process to complete your tax registration successfully.

Want to get a Company KRA PIN for a company with only foreign directors in Kenya?

M&A Registrars can help you prepare your documents and complete the KRA PIN application smoothly.

Book a Free Consultation with M&A Registrars Today WhatsApp

What is a KRA PIN in Kenya?

A KRA PIN (Kenya Revenue Authority Personal Identification Number) is a unique tax identification number issued to individuals and companies in Kenya.

You need it for:

Tax registration and filing
Opening a business bank account
Import/export activities
Full company compliance in Kenya

Without a KRA PIN, your company cannot operate fully in Kenya.

So,What’s the difference between a Company KRA PIN and a Personal KRA PIN?

It is very important to understand this before applying:

Personal KRA PIN	Company KRA PIN
Issued to individuals (directors/shareholders)	● Issued to the company (legal entity)
Based on passport or national ID	● Registered under the company’s incorporation details
Linked to an individual person	● Linked to the company and its directors/shareholders
Required for each foreign director	● Required for business operations, tax filing, and compliance

Important:

A company KRA PIN cannot be issued unless at least one director already has a personal KRA PIN — and for foreign-owned companies, all directors are typically required to have personal KRA PINs before company registration can be completed.

Not sure how foreign directors can get a Company KRA PIN in Kenya?

M&A Registrars can help you understand the requirements, prepare your documents, and complete the application without delays.

Book a Free Consultation with M&A Registrars Today WhatsApp

Can a Company with Only Foreign Directors get a KRA PIN in Kenya?

YES — a Company with Only Foreign Directors can get a KRA PIN in Kenya

However, there is a strict compliance rule you must follow::

All foreign directors MUST first obtain personal KRA PINs
The company KRA PIN is then linked to those directors
Without this step, your application will be rejected or delayed

This is the most important compliance requirement you must meet.

Don’t know how to get your personal KRA PIN?

If you are unsure how to begin:

You can WhatsApp M&A Registrars for assistance
Or book a free consultation with our team.

What are the requirements needed for a Company with Only Foreign Directors to get a KRA PIN in Kenya?

To successfully apply for a Company with Only Foreign Directors to get a KRA PIN in Kenya, you will need the following:

Company Requirements	Details
Certificate of Incorporation	● Proof that the company is legally registered in Kenya
Nature / details of business activities	● Description of what the company does or intends to do
CR12 (recent)	● Shows current ownership structure and directors
Registered office address in Kenya	● Official physical address for the company in Kenya
Company email address	● Official email used for KRA communication and registration

Director Requirements	Details
Passport copies of ALL foreign directors	● Valid bio-data page of each director’s passport
Tax compliance details (where applicable)	● Additional supporting tax documentation if requested

Important:

All foreign directors must have personal KRA PINs — not just one director. Without this, the company KRA PIN application will be rejected or delayed.

What is the process of Company KRA PIN application for a Company with Only Foreign Directors in Kenya?

Here is the simple step-by-step process:

Step 1: Get Personal KRA PINs

All foreign directors must first register for individual KRA PINs.

Step 2: Log into iTax

Go to the KRA iTax portal and select: “New PIN Application”

Step 3: Select Entity Type

Choose: Non-Resident Legal Person

Step 4: Upload Documents

Upload:

Certificate of Incorporation
CR12
Directors’ KRA PINs
Passport copies

Step 5: Submit Application

KRA reviews your submission.

Step 6: Verification (If Required)

You may be required to visit: Times Tower, Nairobi (KRA offices)

Step 7: Receive Company KRA PIN

Once approved, your company PIN is issued.

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How Long Does It Take to Get a Company KRA PIN in Kenya?

A Company KRA PIN in Kenya is issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) after successful review and verification of your application.

In most cases, the process takes 24 hours to a few working days, depending on the completeness of your documents and whether KRA requires additional verification or a physical visit to KRA offices.

Delays usually occur when:

Foreign directors have not obtained personal KRA PINs
Required documents are incomplete or inconsistent
Additional verification is requested by KRA

To avoid delays, ensure all requirements are correctly submitted during the initial application.

With proper preparation and compliance, many applications are approved within 1–3 working days.

How much does it cost to get a Company KRA PIN in Kenya?

A Company KRA PIN in Kenya is issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and the application itself is completely free.

However, if you choose to use professional services (such as M&A Registrars), the cost will depend on the level of support you need, such as document preparation, filing the application on iTax, and ensuring all foreign directors meet KRA requirements.

For exact pricing, you can request for a free quote or WhatsApp M&A Registrars.

FAQs - Can a Company with Only Foreign Directors get a KRA PIN in Kenya?

1. Can I register a company as a foreigner in Kenya?

Foreigners can legally register and fully own a company in Kenya, including holding 100% shareholding under the Companies Act, 2015.

2. How do I register a company in Kenya as a foreigner?

You register your company through the eCitizen platform via the Business Registration Service (BRS), submit the required incorporation documents, and ensure compliance with KRA tax registration and immigration requirements where applicable.

3. Must I appoint a local Kenyan director in my foreign-owned company in Kenya?

However, you must appoint a local company secretary or representative to support compliance, statutory filings, and regulatory communication.

4. Can a foreigner apply for a KRA PIN in Kenya?

Foreigners can apply for a KRA PIN in Kenya using their passport details. This PIN is commonly required for company registration, tax compliance, and business operations.

5. How much does it cost to register a foreign company in Kenya?

The official government fee for company registration is approximately KES 10,650.
This does not include optional professional service fees if you engage an agent or consultancy for end-to-end support.

6. What types of companies can foreigners register in Kenya?

Foreign investors can register several business structures in Kenya, including:

Private Limited Company
Branch Office
Subsidiary Company
Company Limited by Guarantee

Each structure has different compliance, tax, and operational requirements.

To learn more about the different types of companies a foreigner can register in Kenya, check out our simple guide on the Types of Companies in Kenya.

7. Can I register a company alone in Kenya as a foreigner?

A foreigner can register a single-member company in Kenya as both the sole shareholder and sole director.
However, you must still comply with KRA PIN registration and other statutory compliance requirements to operate fully.

To learn more about how to get started, check out our simple guide on Registering a Sole-director-shareholder company in Kenya