RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK? - APPLY FROM KENYA
Are you a Kenyan citizen and you plan to move to the United Kingdom or settle there permanently, it’s important to know whether you have the right of abode. This status allows you to live in the UK without the need for a visa and is available to individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements. Below, we explain what the right of abode is and how to find out if you qualify.
APPLY FOR A UK CERTIFICATE OF ENTITLEMENT IN KENYA
WHAT IS A UK CERTIFICATE OF ENTITLEMENT?
Prove you have right of abode in the UK:
A Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode is a vignette placed in your foreign passport confirming your unrestricted right to enter, live and work in the UK. If you have the right of abode, you do not need a visa or electronic travel authorization (ETA) to come to the UK.
Having right of abode means you are allowed to live or work in the UK without any immigration restrictions.
Who has the right of abode?
- You are a British citizen by birth, registration or naturalisation.
- Certain Commonwealth citizens with qualifying connection to the UK before 1 January 1983.
WHO CAN APPLY FROM KENYA?
You can apply if:
You are in Kenya and meet the Right of Abode requirements.
You have proof of British nationality or qualifying Commonwealth connection.
Your current passport does not already have a valid Certificate of Entitlement.
HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE CERTIFICATE OF ENTITLEMENT?
1. Through Your Parents
You could qualify if:
One of your parents was born in the UK and was a UK and Colonies citizen when you were born or adopted.
You were a Commonwealth citizen on 31 December 1982.
You’ve kept your Commonwealth citizenship ever since (never lost it, even temporarily).
Example: If your mother was born in Scotland and you were a citizen of Canada in 1982, and have remained a Commonwealth citizen since, you may have the right of abode.
2. Through Marriage (For Women Only)
This route is only for female Commonwealth citizens. You may qualify if:
You married someone with the right of abode before 1 January 1983.
- You have remained a Commonwealth citizen since 31 December 1982.
Special Marriage Rules
Normally, you won’t qualify if your husband had another wife with right of abode or certain UK residency rights. However, you might still qualify if:
- You entered the UK before 1 August 1988 while married (even if your husband had other wives here).
- You’ve lived in the UK since your marriage and were the only legally admitted wife at that time.
DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS IN KENYA
When applying from Kenya for a UK Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode, you must submit a complete set of original documents to prove your eligibility.
Where originals are not available, you may provide certified copies from an authorised body (such as a notary public, solicitor, or issuing authority).
All applicants will need to provide the following documents:
Valid passport or travel document. This must be current and in good condition. If you are submitting a passport issued outside the UK for an application made within the UK, it must include immigration stamps proving residency there (not applicable to applications made in Kenya).
Evidence proving your Right of Abode. You will need to supply official documents that confirm your eligibility. Where possible, birth and marriage certificates should be original versions issued at the time of the event. If replacements are used, you should provide an explanation.
Proof of name change (if applicable). If your current name is different from that shown on your original documents, include official evidence such as a marriage certificate, adoption certificate, or legal name change deed.
HOW MUCH IS A CERTIFICATE OF ENTITLEMENT APPLICATION IN KENYA
If you’re applying for a UK Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode from Kenya here’s the latest fee information:
- A certificate of entitlement costs Ksh 104,000 in Kenya
……………
*The Above fees must be paid online using credit or debit card – Mpesa or bank transfer payments are not accepted.
*For updated visa fees please visit the official UKVI website
Additional costs to consider:
– Biometric Appointment Fee (MUP) – Mombasa Centre attracts an additional fee of GBP 76.50 to use it.
– Additional Services: Document Upload, Keep My Passport, Premium Lounge, passport delivery
– Priority Processing Fees:
GBP 500 – Priority Service
GBP 1,000 – Super Priority Service
PROCESSING TIMES IN KENYA
Knowing processing times is crucial for applicants in Kenya:
- Standard application: Within 3 weeks of attending an appointment at a visa application centre.
Priority application: Within 5 days of attending an appointment
- Super Priority: Within 24 Hrs of attending appointment
UK RIGHT OF ABODE APPLICATION ASSISTANCE IN KENYA
Greentod Visa Solutions offers professional, paid assistance for the UK Certificate of Entitlement application process, including expert guidance on required documents and application requirements.
- Online form filling assistance
- Risk assesment to discover chances of being accepted for the UK Visa
- We will book an appointmnet at the UK Visa Application Centre.
- We will share samples all documents needed
- We will organize and upload all your supporting documents to The Embassy
Let us handle your UK Visa application whether its a fresh submission or reapplication after a refusal , we can help you every step of the way.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - UK RIGHT OF ABODE APPLICATION IN KENYA
UK TRAVEL FAQS
What is a UK Certificate of Entitlement?
It’s a vignette placed in your passport confirming that you have the Right of Abode in the UK, meaning you can live and work there without immigration restrictions.
Do I need an interview for my UK visa?
Not always. Some applications require interviews, while others are decided based on submitted documents. If an interview is required, it will take place over the phone or through Microsoft Teams and often last about an hour
Can I apply for a certificate of entitlement if I already have a UK passport?
No. If you already hold a valid UK passport, you don’t need a Certificate of Entitlement.
Do I need a TB test for this application in Kenya?
No. Tuberculosis testing is not required for a Certificate of Entitlement application
What documents do I need for my a UK visa appointment?
You will need:
A valid passport or travel document
Your Document Checklist and appointment confirmation
Proof of payment for the visa fee and other services
Supporting documents relevant to your visa type (e.g., bank statements, invitation letters, work contracts, or CAS for students)
Can Greentod Visa Solutions help with my application?
Yes. Our team will help with eligibility checks, fill the online application form, ensure all sections are completed accurately, and help you gather the correct supporting documents to avoid delays or refusals. Get help with my visa application.
Where do I go for my UK visa biometric appointment?
In Kenya, UK visa biometric appointments are handled at Visa and Citizenship Application Services (VCAS) centres operated by VFSglobal. There are two locations available:
Nairobi
Mombasa
You can choose your preferred centre when booking your appointment, and the full address will be provided in your confirmation.
How long is the UK Certificate to the Right of Abode valid for?
It’s valid for the same length of time as the passport it is in.
So, if your passport is valid for 10 years, your certificate will also be valid for 10 years. When you renew or replace your passport, you must apply for a new certificate if you still need one. It doesn’t automatically transfer to your new passport.
Will my visa fee be refunded if my application is refused?
No, UK visa fees are generally non-refundable, even if your application is refused.
HOW TO TRACK YOUR APPLICATION
- Step-by-step process:
Complete your application through the UK Government visa portal and pay the applicable fees.
Submit your biometrics and required documents at the designated VFS Global Visa Application Centre.
Visit the official VFS Global tracking page tracking page.
Enter your GWF reference number and the email address used for your application.
Once logged in, select “Track Application/Passport”.
The current progress of your application will be displayed on the screen.
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Application submitted to UKVI | Sent to UKVI for processing. |
| Decision received from UKVI | UKVI has made a decision. |
| Passport ready for collection/courier | Passport is back at VAC or with courier. |
| Passport delivered | Passport has been handed to you. |
Insider Insight:
VFS Global cannot make visa decisions – they are only middlemen between you and UKVI. So, if your status is “In Processing” for a while, it means the decision is still with UKVI, not the VAC. Contact UK Visas and Immigration to check the status
WHERE TO SUBMIT YOUR UK VISA APPLICATION IN KENYA
All UK visa applications in Kenya are handled by VFS Global (effective November 2024), the official UK Visa Application Centre partner, where applicants must submit their biometrics and supporting documents.
Visa Application Centre – Nairobi
Address: 1st Floor, Principle place, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya.
Take me to the address
Business Hours:
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) – 08:00 to 17:00
SPV Application Submission:
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) – 08:00 to 11:00
Passport Collection:
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) – 14:00 to 17:00
Passport Collection Outside Hours (service fee applies):
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) – 09:00 to 13:30
Visa Application Centre – Mombasa
Address: 8th Floor, Imaara- The new address, Dedan Kimathi Avenue, Kizingo, Mombasa, Kenya. Take me to the address
Business Hours:
Tuesday (excluding public holidays) – 08:00 to 17:00
Passport Collection:
Tuesday (excluding public holidays) – 12:00 to 15:00
Passport Collection Outside Hours (service fee applies):
Tuesday (excluding public holidays) – 09:00 to 12:00
WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR UK VISA APPOINTMENT
When attending your biometrics appointment at the UK Visa Application Centre, make sure you have the following:
Appointment Confirmation Letter – Printed copy received from VFS Global.
Valid Passport or travel document – With at least 1 page that is blank. (If you are applying for a visa category where you will receive an eVisa only, your passport does not have to contain a blank page.)
A printout of your document checklist – As part of your completed online application.
Visa Payment Receipt – Printed from the UK Government visa portal.
Supporting Documents – As listed in your document checklist (e.g., bank statements, employment letters, invitation letters).
Priority Service Receipt – If you paid for priority or super-priority processing.
Greentod Visa Solutions are genuine visa and immigration agents, helping clients in Mombasa, Nairobi, and across Kenya. We assist with document preparation, application submission, and appointment booking at respective Embassies or Visa Application Centres ensuring a smooth and fast process.
| Disclaimer
Greentod Visa Solutions is a Kenyan-based visas and travel consultancy agency dedicated to supporting clients through every step of their visa application journey. While we work independently and are not affiliated with any embassy, our role is to provide guidance, document support, and application assistance. Visa issuance is solely at the discretion of the relevant embassy or immigration authority, and we do not guarantee approval or denial of any application.