Foreigners are being arrested for expired visas in Nairobi [Photo/African Spice Safaris]
Non-residents interested in studying in Kenya will now have to secure police clearance certificates along with their study visa application following new rules implemented by Immigration.
The respective institutions will also play their part by collecting the police clearance certificate and all other necessary documents and submit them to the Immigration Department for processing of student passes.
The new policy will start in January and will help law enforcement in their fight against criminal networks.
“All foreigners seeking admission to our local institutions must prove they have been cleared by the police in their country of origin,” the director of Immigration, Maj Gen (rtd) Gordon Kihalangwa said.
Many foreigners have been arrested across Nairobi for failing to adhere to the provisions of their visas or committing criminal acts such as assault, peddling narcotics, robberies and cybercrime.
“Police clearance should serve as an extra assurance that these individuals do not have criminal records. Some of them claim they are coming here to study but are simply using it as a front to engage in activities that may pose a security risk,” Kihalangwa said.