Important Updates
Important Updates
October 29, 2025 | Republic of Korea (South Korea)South Korea: K-Star Visa for Science and Tech Talent Implemented
October 29, 2025 | United Kingdom, United StatesGames Industry: US H-1B Visas: Alternatives to a $100,000 Fee
October 29, 2025 | United Kingdom, BelgiumPeople Management: How Will EU Travel Rule Changes Impact Employers?
October 29, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Increased Saudization Requirements for Certain Private-Sector Healthcare Roles
October 29, 2025Saudi Arabia: Mandatory Health Insurance Prior to Temporary Work Visa Issuance
October 29, 2025 | Republic of Korea (South Korea)South Korea: K-Star Visa for Science and Tech Talent Implemented
October 29, 2025 | United Kingdom, United StatesGames Industry: US H-1B Visas: Alternatives to a $100,000 Fee
October 29, 2025 | United Kingdom, BelgiumPeople Management: How Will EU Travel Rule Changes Impact Employers?
October 29, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Increased Saudization Requirements for Certain Private-Sector Healthcare Roles
October 29, 2025Saudi Arabia: Mandatory Health Insurance Prior to Temporary Work Visa Issuance
October 29, 2025 | Republic of Korea (South Korea)South Korea: K-Star Visa for Science and Tech Talent Implemented
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationFragomen Consulting EuropeImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

East Africa Economic Developments and Immigration Measures to Consider

September 26, 2022

Nairobi Kenya

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Related contacts

Willys Mac'Olale

Willys Mac'Olale

Director

Nairobi, Kenya

Email

[email protected]

T:+254 730 128 006

Related offices

  • Nairobi

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Willys Mac'Olale

Willys Mac'Olale

Director

Nairobi, Kenya

Email

[email protected]

T:+254 730 128 006

Related offices

  • Nairobi

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Willys Mac'Olale

Willys Mac'Olale

Director

Nairobi, Kenya

Email

[email protected]

T:+254 730 128 006

Related offices

  • Nairobi

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Willys Mac'Olale, Gladys Nyambura

The economies of many regions in Sub–Saharan Africa are slowly recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic, with the East African region GDP set to stabilize by the end of 2022. This is, in part, due to authorities across the region working on introducing measures that will attract foreign investment in an effort to ensure a resilient economy.

Economic Developments Across East Africa

In Tanzania, President Samia Suluhu Hassan is championing the introduction of the Tanzania Investment Centre. It is heralded as a one-stop investment centre and saw 235 investments projects recorded in 2021. Tanzania has also ratified the African Continent Free Trade Area Agreement and is expected to benefit from the removal of trade barriers.

In Kenya, the 2022/2023 financial budget has accelerated the implementation of the Third Economic Stimulus program and the “Big 4 Agenda” which address affordable housing, food security, manufacturing and universal healthcare. The Kenyan government is seeking to leverage the Public Private Partnerships Directorate to fund public projects, support the private sector and narrow the fiscal deficit. There are also efforts to ensure macroeconomic stability, such as ensuring inflation remains within the government target range while interest rates remain stable, to support growth in private sector credit. The country is also working to attract investment and talent to develop key ICT projects such as Konza Technology City, dubbed Africa’s “Silicon Savannah.”

Uganda is a leading country in terms of attracting the most Foreign Direct Investment in East Africa. The approval of the USD 3.5bn East African Crude Oil Pipeline project, which will lead to the construction of a 1,400km pipeline from Uganda to the seaport of Tanga in Tanzania, bodes well for investment in both countries.

Rwanda has made enormous strides to improve the socio-economic conditions of its people. It also continues to attract a multitude of investments ranging from information technology to power generation.

Considerations for Bringing Talent to East Africa

Across the region, authorities have made efforts to ensure that the immigration system is modernized. This is intended to ensure that investors save time in mobilizing their critical resources to implement projects in the region.

In Kenya, companies intending to apply for work permits for staff who are nationals from East Africa have been exempt from paying the work permit government fees. This is a testament to the efforts put in place by Kenya to attract talent and investment from the region.

Tanzania has slowly but steadily transformed the immigration sector by streamlining the work permit application process and making it more transparent with shorter turnaround times. This is intended to ensure companies can start their projects in a timely fashion with the talent they need.

In Rwanda, labour market tests have been scrapped as a requirement for long term work permit applications. This is applicable to jobs that were not listed among the critical skill set.

In Uganda, the authorities have made it mandatory for individuals applying for work permits in the oil and gas sector to first acquire approvals from the Petroleum Authority of Uganda. Companies must also conduct labour market testing and, where Ugandans need to make majority of the staff population, present the national content quota. These measures appear restrictive in nature, and it is possible they may be reviewed if the impact is negative on investors.

Conclusion

The efforts to achieve a resilient economy across the region have been met with several challenges. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine continues to impact the price of oil, gas and other essentials, leading to inflation. Additionally, poor climate conditions such as droughts, along with a shortage of COVID-19 vaccinations, may affect the speed of the economy’s recovery process. Despite these challenges, governments across the East African region are keen on engaging in effective partnerships and creating stable policy frameworks that will promote investment and spur growth.

Need to know more?

For further information, please contact Senior Manager Willys Mac’Olale at [email protected] and Immigration Consultant Gladys Nyambura at [email protected]. This blog was published on 23 September 2022, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 site, subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Related contacts

Willys Mac'Olale

Willys Mac'Olale

Director

Nairobi, Kenya

Email

[email protected]

T:+254 730 128 006

Related offices

  • Nairobi

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Willys Mac'Olale

Willys Mac'Olale

Director

Nairobi, Kenya

Email

[email protected]

T:+254 730 128 006

Related offices

  • Nairobi

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Willys Mac'Olale

Willys Mac'Olale

Director

Nairobi, Kenya

Email

[email protected]

T:+254 730 128 006

Related offices

  • Nairobi

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Games Industry: US H-1B Visas: Alternatives to a $100,000 Fee

Senior Manager William Diaz outlines the US visa options available to the games industry for bringing international talent to the United States, including O-1, L-1 and E-2.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: How Will EU Travel Rule Changes Impact Employers?

Partner Jo Antoons and Manager Andreia Ghimis explain how businesses can navigate Europe’s new ETIAS pre-travel authorisation and avoid disruptions.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: How Easy Is It for Overseas Creatives to Work in the UK?

Partner Louise Haycock and Associate Jennifer Gray analyse the barriers and opportunities for overseas creatives navigating the UK’s immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Claiming British Citizenship Through Ancestral Lineage: Who Is Eligible?

Associate Chloe Evans outlines eligibility criteria for individuals seeking British citizenship based on ancestral ties.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Semiconductors Presents: "Voice of the Industry" October 2025 Q&A with Shari Liss

Fragomen’s Semiconductor Industry Group publishes the next installment of its “Voice of the Industry” Q&A series, featuring Shari Liss, Vice President of Global Workforce Development and Initiatives at SEMI.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Legalny napływ cudzoziemców do pracy powstrzymany

Partner Karolina Schiffter highlights how Poland’s tightened visa system affects foreign hiring and the challenges companies face in navigating it.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: US Chamber Turns Trump Foe in Rare Split Over $100,000 H-1B Fee

Partner Carl Hampe provides insight on the impact of the $100,000 H-1B fee and the US Chamber of Commerce’s related lawsuit.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Wins 2025 FEM EMEA “Best Partnership” EMMA for Collaboration with TBB

Fragomen was honoured with the “Best Partnership Between a Corporate Organization and a Service Provider” EMMA at FEM's 2025 EMEA Summit.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: DOL Flags Immigration Crackdown as Risk to Food Supply

Partner Rachel Beardsley highlights how H-2A visa strategies can help sustain a skilled US agricultural workforce.

Learn more

Blog post

Intra-African Mobility: Unlocking the Continent’s Promise Through Free Movement

Director Willys Mac’Olale discusses how intra-African mobility can unlock the continent’s economic and social potential by promoting free movement, fostering integration and development.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Family Relocation: Understanding Residency for Dependents

Immigration Director Adriana Martínez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Scientists Charged Too Much to Come to Work in UK, Says Royal Society

Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Learn more

Media mentions

Games Industry: US H-1B Visas: Alternatives to a $100,000 Fee

Senior Manager William Diaz outlines the US visa options available to the games industry for bringing international talent to the United States, including O-1, L-1 and E-2.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: How Will EU Travel Rule Changes Impact Employers?

Partner Jo Antoons and Manager Andreia Ghimis explain how businesses can navigate Europe’s new ETIAS pre-travel authorisation and avoid disruptions.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: How Easy Is It for Overseas Creatives to Work in the UK?

Partner Louise Haycock and Associate Jennifer Gray analyse the barriers and opportunities for overseas creatives navigating the UK’s immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Claiming British Citizenship Through Ancestral Lineage: Who Is Eligible?

Associate Chloe Evans outlines eligibility criteria for individuals seeking British citizenship based on ancestral ties.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Semiconductors Presents: "Voice of the Industry" October 2025 Q&A with Shari Liss

Fragomen’s Semiconductor Industry Group publishes the next installment of its “Voice of the Industry” Q&A series, featuring Shari Liss, Vice President of Global Workforce Development and Initiatives at SEMI.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Legalny napływ cudzoziemców do pracy powstrzymany

Partner Karolina Schiffter highlights how Poland’s tightened visa system affects foreign hiring and the challenges companies face in navigating it.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: US Chamber Turns Trump Foe in Rare Split Over $100,000 H-1B Fee

Partner Carl Hampe provides insight on the impact of the $100,000 H-1B fee and the US Chamber of Commerce’s related lawsuit.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Wins 2025 FEM EMEA “Best Partnership” EMMA for Collaboration with TBB

Fragomen was honoured with the “Best Partnership Between a Corporate Organization and a Service Provider” EMMA at FEM's 2025 EMEA Summit.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: DOL Flags Immigration Crackdown as Risk to Food Supply

Partner Rachel Beardsley highlights how H-2A visa strategies can help sustain a skilled US agricultural workforce.

Learn more

Blog post

Intra-African Mobility: Unlocking the Continent’s Promise Through Free Movement

Director Willys Mac’Olale discusses how intra-African mobility can unlock the continent’s economic and social potential by promoting free movement, fostering integration and development.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Family Relocation: Understanding Residency for Dependents

Immigration Director Adriana Martínez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Scientists Charged Too Much to Come to Work in UK, Says Royal Society

Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.