How to Acquire a KRA PIN for Your Foreign-Owned Company in Kenya (2025)

Step-by-step guide to corporate KRA PIN registration in Kenya for foreign investors. WKA Advocates handles incorporation, nominee director, iTax, banking, permits, and immigration.

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Step-by-Step: WKA’s Fast-Track Path to Your Corporate KRA PIN

1) Incorporate the Company (BRS/eCitizen)

Handled end-to-end by WKA Advocates:

• Name reservation & availability checks (BRS).

• CR1, CR2, CR8 + BOF1 (Beneficial Ownership ≥10%).

• Memorandum & Articles of Association (customized for fintech, agribusiness, logistics, construction, gold trading).

• Registered office (WKA can provide).

• Output: Certificate of Incorporation, CR12 (directors/shareholders).

  • Portals: BRS • eCitizen

Keywords: company incorporation Kenya, company formation Kenya, business registration Kenya, register a company in Kenya, beneficial ownership Kenya.

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2) Meet the Director/Local Presence Requirement

Kenyan workflows require a resident director or local contact for filings and PIN linkage (Companies Act, 2015).

• Nominee Director (non-shareholding) provided by WKA; zero voting/ownership, temporary, removed post-registration.

• Foreign director KRA PINs (non-resident) obtained via licensed tax agents, where permanent directorships are intended.

Keywords: nominee director Kenya, resident director Kenya, foreign investor guide Kenya, investor protection Kenya.

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3) Apply for the Corporate KRA PIN (iTax)

WKA executes and monitors the full iTax flow:

1. Create company profile (Non-Individual).

2. Verify with BRS data (name, registration no., address).

3. Activate tax obligations: Income Tax, VAT (when eligible), PAYE.

4. Link director PINs (nominee/permanent).

5. Respond to KRA queries and obtain the Corporate KRA PIN Certificate.

Typical timeline: 5–10 business days (document readiness dependent).
Keywords: Kenya Revenue Authority PIN, iTax Kenya, KRA PIN registration, tax compliance Kenya.

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What You Can Do Immediately After the PIN Is Issued

• Open a corporate bank account: KCB, Equity, NCBA, Absa, Standard Chartered, Stanbic (multi-currency, M-Pesa Business, FX).

• Register for payroll & social schemes: PAYE, NSSF, NHIF / SHA.

• Apply for permits: County Business Permit, NEMA EIA (if applicable), AFA/KEPHIS/KEBS licenses.

• Immigration: Investor (Class G) or Employment (Class D) permits via eFNS.

• Access SEZ/EPZ incentives: SEZA • EPZA.

Keywords: business permits Kenya, opening a bank account in Kenya, immigration and work permits Kenya, investor visa Kenya, EPZ incentives Kenya, SEZ incentives Kenya.

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Documentation Checklist (Foreign-Owned Companies)

• Certificate of Incorporation, CR12, CR8.

• MemArts (Articles of Association) + (optionally) Shareholder’s Agreement.

• Director/Shareholder KYC: notarized passports, emails, phone, address.

• Registered office (Kenyan address).

• Director KRA PINs (or WKA-facilitated non-resident PINs).

• Board resolution (for banking).

• Proof of address (utility/lease).

Keywords: Articles of Association Kenya, shareholder agreement Kenya, company documents Kenya, CR12 Kenya, BOF1 Kenya.

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Compliance Calendar (Post-Registration)

• Corporate Income Tax returns (annual), installments if applicable.

• VAT (monthly) once registered; maintain export zero-rating evidence.

• PAYE (monthly), NSSF/NHIF (statutory).

• Annual returns with BRS, BOF1 updates on ownership changes.

• Permits & licenses renewals (County/AFA/NEMA/KEBS/KEPHIS).

Keywords: corporate compliance Kenya, VAT returns Kenya, PAYE returns Kenya, annual returns Kenya, beneficial ownership register Kenya.

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WKA Advocates: Complete Foreign-Investor Setup

• PLC incorporation via BRS/eCitizen.

• Nominee/Resident Director services (strictly non-shareholding, documented limits).

• KRA PINs (company & non-resident directors).

• Bank account onboarding (pre-approvals, video-KYC/POA if bank supports).

• Licensing: NEMA, AFA/KEPHIS/KEBS, SEZ/EPZ, County.

• Immigration: Class G/D permits, dependants (eFNS).

• Ongoing corporate secretarial & tax (BRS filings, KRA filings, renewals).

CTA: Start now with WKA Advocates — one partner for foreign company registration in Kenya, KRA PIN, banking, permits, and immigration.

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Avoid These Common Mistakes

• Applying for a corporate KRA PIN before incorporation (won’t work).

• Lacking a resident/nominee director for iTax linkage.

• Using generic Articles that don’t limit nominee authority or set bank mandates (dual signatories).

• Premature VAT registration without hitting KES 5M threshold (unless strategically needed).

• Incomplete BOF1 transparency filings.

Keywords: nominee director agreement Kenya, bank mandate Kenya, VAT threshold Kenya, beneficial ownership Kenya.

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FAQ — Corporate KRA PIN for Foreign-Owned Companies

1) Can I get a corporate KRA PIN remotely?
Yes. With WKA Advocates, the process is fully remote using apostilled/notarized documents and Power of Attorney.

2) How long does it take?
Typically 5–10 business days after incorporation documents are in order.

3) Do I need a Kenyan director?
You need a resident/nominee director (for iTax linkage & KYC). WKA provides a non-shareholding nominee removed post-setup.

4) What docs are required?
Certificate of Incorporation, CR12, director passports, director KRA PINs, registered office details, and (for banking) board resolution.

5) When must I register for VAT?
When turnover exceeds KES 5,000,000 (or earlier by choice). WKA advises on timing and compliance.

6) What happens after I get the PIN?
Open bank accounts, register for PAYE/NSSF/NHIF, apply for licenses, and begin operations.

7) Does WKA handle ongoing compliance?
Yes — annual returns, tax filings, BO updates, permit renewals, and company secretarial.