CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE HTML> <html lang="en-gb" dir="ltr" data-config='{"twitter":1,"plusone":1,"facebook":1,"style":"EAC"}'> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <base href="https://www.eac.int/working-in-east-africa" /> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> <meta name="description" content="The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of eight (8) Partner States, comprising the Republic of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda, Federal Republic of Somalia, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania." /> <title>Working in East Africa</title> <link href="/templates/yoo_master2/favicon.ico" rel="shortcut icon" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <script src="/media/template/gzip.php?jquery.min-f43b5bbc.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="/media/template/gzip.php?jquery-noconflict-8af2279d.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="/media/template/gzip.php?jquery-migrate.min-b388ceea.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="/media/template/gzip.php?bootstrap.min-f7d084c2.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="/media/widgetkit/uikit2-e4168ac4.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="/media/widgetkit/wk-scripts-4151396f.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="/templates/yoo_master2/apple_touch_icon.png"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/media/template/gzip.php?bootstrap-24a031d5.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/media/template/gzip.php?theme-b73546ec.css"> <script src="/media/template/gzip.php?theme-d47a5652.js"></script>  </head> <body class="tm-sidebar-a-right tm-sidebars-1 tm-isblog"> <div class="uk-container uk-container-center"> <div class="tm-toolbar uk-clearfix uk-hidden-small"> <div class="uk-float-left"><div class="uk-panel"> <p><a href="/25years"><img src="/images/25_Anniversary_web_Banner_2.PNG" alt="20th Anniversary Banner" width="340" height="158" /></a></p></div></div> <div class="uk-float-right"><div class="uk-panel"> <div style="text-align: center;" data-spotlight="effect:fade;"> <div class="overlay"> <div class="uk-height-1-1 uk-vertical-align"> <div class="uk-vertical-align-middle"><a href="https://twitter.com/jumuiya" target="_new" rel="noopener" class="uk-icon-button uk-icon-twitter"> </a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/proudlyeastafrican/" target="_new" rel="noopener" class="uk-icon-button uk-icon-facebook"> </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eac_secretariat1/" target="_new" class="uk-icon-button uk-icon-instagram"></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Nt3M0n4ftThoVVQMK_D3A" target="_new" class="uk-icon-button uk-icon-youtube"></a> <a href="mailto:eac@eachq.org?Subject=Inquiry%20from%20EAC%20Website" target="_top" class="uk-icon-button uk-icon-envelope"></a></div> <div> </div> <div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="uk-panel"> <form id="search-201-6748cdfe48659" class="uk-search" action="/working-in-east-africa" method="post" data-uk-search="{'source': '/component/search/?tmpl=raw&type=json&ordering=&searchphrase=all', 'param': 'searchword', 'msgResultsHeader': 'Search Results', 'msgMoreResults': 'More Results', 'msgNoResults': 'No results found', flipDropdown: 1}"> <input class="uk-search-field" type="text" name="searchword" placeholder="search..."> <input type="hidden" name="task" value="search"> <input type="hidden" name="option" value="com_search"> <input type="hidden" name="Itemid" value="618"> </form> </div></div> </div> <nav class="tm-navbar uk-navbar"> <ul class="uk-navbar-nav uk-hidden-small"> <li><a href="/">HOME</a></li><li class="uk-parent" data-uk-dropdown="{'preventflip':'y'}" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"><a href="/integration-pillars">INTEGRATION PILLARS</a><div class="uk-dropdown uk-dropdown-navbar uk-dropdown-width-1"><div class="uk-grid uk-dropdown-grid"><div class="uk-width-1-1"><ul class="uk-nav uk-nav-navbar"><li><a href="/customs-union">Customs Union</a></li><li><a href="/common-market">Common Market</a></li><li><a href="/monetary-union">Monetary Union</a></li><li><a href="/political-federation">Political Federaton</a></li></ul></div></div></div></li><li class="uk-parent" data-uk-dropdown="{'preventflip':'y'}" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"><a href="#">NEWS AND MEDIA</a> <div class="uk-dropdown uk-dropdown-navbar uk-dropdown-width-1"><div class="uk-grid uk-dropdown-grid"><div class="uk-width-1-1"><ul class="uk-nav uk-nav-navbar"><li><a href="/press-releases">Press Releases </a></li><li><a href="/communique">Communiqué</a></li><li><a href="/statements">Statements</a></li><li><a href="/news-and-media/calendar-of-events">Calendar of Events</a></li><li><a href="/visiting-the-eac">Visiting the EAC</a></li><li><a href="/media-contacts">Media Contacts</a></li></ul></div></div></div></li><li class="uk-parent" data-uk-dropdown="{'preventflip':'y'}" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"><a href="/about-eac">ABOUT EAC</a><div class="uk-dropdown uk-dropdown-navbar uk-dropdown-width-1"><div class="uk-grid uk-dropdown-grid"><div class="uk-width-1-1"><ul class="uk-nav uk-nav-navbar"><li><a href="/overview-of-eac">Overview of EAC</a></li><li><a href="/eac-quick-facts">EAC Quick Facts</a></li><li><a href="/eac-partner-states">EAC Partner States</a></li><li><a href="/eac-organs">EAC Organs</a></li><li><a href="/the-secretariat">The Secretariat</a></li><li><a href="/eac-institutions">EAC Institutions </a></li><li><a href="/about-eac/leadership">EAC Leadership</a></li><li><a href="/eac-history">EAC History</a></li><li><a href="/documents/category/key-documents">Key Documents</a></li><li><a href="/eac-emblems">EAC Emblems</a></li><li><a href="/opportunities">Opportunities at EAC</a></li></ul></div></div></div></li><li><a href="/eac-sectors">SECTORS</a></li><li><a href="/resources">E-RESOURCES</a></li><li><a href="https://eac.opendataforafrica.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">REGIONAL STATISTICS</a></li><li><a href="/25years" class="covid-menu">EAC@25</a></li></ul> <a href="#offcanvas" class="uk-navbar-toggle uk-visible-small" data-uk-offcanvas></a> <div class="uk-navbar-content uk-navbar-center uk-visible-small"><a class="tm-logo-small" href="https://www.eac.int"> <p><img src="/images/EAC_25_Anniversary_logo_banner_mobile.png" alt="EAC Logo" width="78" height="38" /></p> <p> </p> <p> </p></a></div> </nav> <div id="tm-middle" class="tm-middle uk-grid" data-uk-grid-match data-uk-grid-margin> <div class="tm-main uk-width-medium-7-10"> <main id="tm-content" class="tm-content"> <div id="system-message-container"> </div> <article class="uk-article" > <h1 class="uk-article-title"> Working in East Africa </h1> <p class="uk-article-meta"> Posted in <a href="/working-in-east-africa/17-basic-page">Basic page</a> </p> <p>The EAC Common Market Protocol allows workers from any Partner State to accept employment within any other EAC country. They cannot be discriminated against on the basis of their nationality.</p> <p>Furthermore, a worker will have the right to social security benefits and can be accompanied by a spouse and children.</p> <p>It is however worth noting that, Employment in the public service is excluded unless permitted by the particular Partner State.</p> <p>Using the ILO classification, Partner States have committed to open up for the following categories of workers:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Burundi</strong> - Professionals; By 1st July 2010</li> <li><strong>Kenya</strong> - Managers, Professionals, Technicians and Associate Professionals, and Craft and Related Trades Workers; By 1st July 2010</li> <li><strong>Rwanda</strong> - Professionals and Technicians and Associate Professionals; By 1st July 2010</li> <li><strong>Tanzania</strong> - Professionals and Technicians and Associate Professionals; Ranging from 1st July 2010 to 2015</li> <li><strong>Uganda</strong> - Managers, Professionals and Craft and Related Trades Workers; By 1st July 2010</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Entry, Stay and Exit</strong></h3> <p>A citizen of a Partner State, who seeks to enter or exit the territory of another Partner State as a worker, shall do so at entry or exit points designated in accordance with the national laws of the Partner State and shall comply with the established immigration procedures.</p> <h3><strong>Work Permits</strong></h3> <p>A worker who has a contract of employment of a period of more than 90 days in the territory of another Partner State shall apply to the competent authority for a work permit within 15 working days from the date of entry into the territory of the host Partner State.</p> <p>Where a worker secures employment for a period of not more than 90 days, the worker shall apply for, and be issued with a special pass.</p> <p>Where the competent authority rejects an application for a work permit, the competent authority shall in writing, notify the applicant, stating the reasons for the rejection.</p> <p><strong><em>*Important to note</em></strong></p> <p><em>The Republics of Kenya and Rwanda have abolished work permit fees for East African nationals working in the two countries</em>.</p> <h3><strong>Access to Employment Opportunities</strong></h3> <p>The Partner States shall endeavour to collect and disseminate information on job vacancies and put in place labour market information systems to facilitate access to employment opportunities by the citizens of the Community.</p> <h3><strong>Equal Treatment in Employment</strong></h3> <p>The Partner States provide for regular labour inspections and any other appropriate measures to ensure that the same treatment is accorded to the workers from other Partner States as is accorded to the nationals of the Partner State with regard to:</p> <ol> <li>terms and conditions of employment;</li> <li>equal opportunities for both men and women and in particular, access to employment;</li> <li>occupational health and safety;</li> <li>contribution to a social security scheme;</li> <li>access to vocational training;</li> <li>the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining;</li> <li>access to dispute resolution mechanism; and</li> <li>any other right accruing to a worker under the provisions of the national laws of the Partner State.</li> </ol> <h3><strong>Self-Employment</strong></h3> <p>EAC citizens have the right to establish their business in any Partner State and pursue economic activities in accordance with the national laws of the Partner State.</p> <p>Self-employed persons are able to carry out their work across the region, and be entitled to social security schemes in the host country.</p> <p>The Protocol requires Partner States to remove all restrictions on the right of establishment based on the nationality of the companies, firms and self-employed persons.</p> <p>For more information on Self-employment regulations, refer to the Common Market Annex on Right of Establishment.</p> </article> </main> </div> <aside class="tm-sidebar-a uk-width-medium-3-10"><div class="uk-panel uk-panel-box"> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EACat25?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EACat25</a><br /><br />💫Regional trade is a key driver of economic growth<br /><br />Intra-EAC trade has grown from $65B in 2017 to $109B in 2023.<br /><br />🎥 Watch a message from the EAC DSG - Customs,Trade & Monetary Affairs, <a href="https://twitter.com/SMannette1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SMannette1</a> as she invites you to join us in celebrating the EAC’s Silver Jubilee <a href="https://t.co/KhuXzfwmqt">pic.twitter.com/KhuXzfwmqt</a></p> — East African Community (@jumuiya) <a href="https://twitter.com/jumuiya/status/1862129606154703145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" async="async"></script></div></aside> </div> <section id="tm-bottom-a" class="tm-bottom-a uk-grid" data-uk-grid-match="{target:'> div > .uk-panel'}" data-uk-grid-margin><div class="uk-width-1-1"> <div class="uk-panel uk-panel-box"> <hr style='background-color:#48a6db;border-width:0;color:#48a6db;height:5px;line-height:0;text-align:left;width:90%;'/></div></div> </section> <section id="tm-bottom-b" class="tm-bottom-b uk-grid uk-grid-divider" data-uk-grid-match="{target:'> div > .uk-panel'}" data-uk-grid-margin> <div class="uk-width-1-1 uk-width-medium-1-5"><div class="uk-panel"> <h5><strong>East African Community</strong><br /> EAC Close <br />Afrika Mashariki Road<br /> P.O. Box 1096<br />Arusha<br /> United Republic of Tanzania<br /><br /> <strong>Tel:</strong> +255 (0)27 216 2100<br /> <strong>Fax:</strong> +255 (0)27 216 2190<br /> <strong>Email:</strong> <a href="mailto:eac@eachq.org">eac@eachq.org</a> </h5></div></div> <div class="uk-width-1-1 uk-width-medium-1-5"><div class="uk-panel"> <h4><strong>Quick Guide:</strong></h4> <ul class="uk-list uk-list-space"> <li><a href="/travelling-within-the-eac"> Travelling within the EAC</a></li> <li><a href="/education">Studying in the EA region</a></li> <li><a href="/working-in-east-africa">Working in the EA region</a></li> <li><a href="/investment">Investing in the EA region</a></li> <li><a href="/visiting-the-eac">Visiting the EAC HQ</a></li> </ul></div></div> <div class="uk-width-1-1 uk-width-medium-1-5"><div class="uk-panel"> <h4><strong>Opportunities:</strong></h4> <ul class="uk-list uk-list-space"> <li><a href="/opportunities/employment">Employment at EAC</a></li> <li><a href="/opportunities/consultancies">Consultancies</a></li> <li><a href="/opportunities/procurement-procedures">Procurement</a></li> <li><a href="http://eacprocurement.eac.int/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EAC e-Procurement Portal</a></li> <li><a href="/education/scholarships">Training, Scholarships & Grants</a></li> <li><a href="/component/documentmananger/?task=download.document&file=bWFpbl9kb2N1bWVudHNfcGRmX2hvQ1dhSWhvZGhtSmVPbUpzc3ZuVkRNTW9iaWxpdHkgUHJvZ3JhbW1lIE5hcnJhdGl2ZQ==&counter=420">Kiswahili Mobility Programme</a></li> </ul></div></div> <div class="uk-width-1-1 uk-width-medium-1-5"><div class="uk-panel"> <h4><strong>Tools & Services:</strong></h4> <ul class="uk-list uk-list-space"> <li><a href="http://tradehelpdesk.eac.int" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EAC Trade Helpdesk</a></li> <li><a href="http://reports.eac.int" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EAC Reports Database</a></li> <li><a href="http://repository.eac.int/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EAC Information Repository</a></li> <li><a href="http://eac.opendataforafrica.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EAC Data Portal</a></li> <li><a href="http://elibrary.eac.int/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EAC e-Library</a></li> <li><a href="https://eachqea.sharepoint.com/sites/eachqhome">Staff Login</a></li> <li><a href="http://trim.eac.int" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EAC TRIM</a></li> <li><a href="/component/documentmananger/?task=download.document&file=bWFpbl9kb2N1bWVudHNfcGRmX0hKVllPZVd0UVBXa25McWhGaWd2VkRNRUFDIENBTExFTkRFUiBPRiBBQ1RJVklUSUVTIEpVTFkgREVDRU1CRVIgMjAyNCB3ZWItMS0zMw==&counter=1492">Calendar of Activities Jul - Dec 2024 Part A </a>|  <a href="/component/documentmananger/?task=download.document&file=bWFpbl9kb2N1bWVudHNfcGRmX3hFbGpsc2lLR0NRaEdSc0Jtd0VuVkRNRUFDIENBTExFTkRFUiBPRiBBQ1RJVklUSUVTIEpVTFkgREVDRU1CRVIgMjAyNCB3ZWItMzQtNjY=&counter=1493">Part B</a></li> </ul></div></div> <div class="uk-width-1-1 uk-width-medium-1-5"><div class="uk-panel"> <h4><strong>Help & Support:</strong></h4> <ul class="uk-list uk-list-space"> <li><a href="/eac-customer-service-charter">EAC Customer Service Charter</a></li> <li><a href="/component/documentmananger/?task=download.document&file=bWFpbl9kb2N1bWVudHNfcGRmX0pndmRHYVR4QnZxa1ZnR3JpbkZWVkRNRUFDIFN0YXRlbWVudCBvbiBaZXJvIFRvbGVyYW5jZSBmb3IgRnJhdWQgRmluYW5jaWFsIE1pc21hbmFnZW1lbnQgYW5kIG90aGVyIGZvcm1zIG9mIE1hbHByYWN0aWNlLTJuZCBKdW5lIDIwMTc=&counter=151">Malpractice Statement</a></li> <li><a href="/component/documentmananger/?task=download.document&file=bWFpbl9kb2N1bWVudHNfcGRmX0VmZmRCVkliWHBiSUhQdXBDaHNVVkRNRUFDIFN0YXRlbWVudCBvbiBFbnZpcm9ubWVudGFsIFNvY2lhbCBhbmQgR2VuZGVyIFBvbGljaWVzLTJuZCBKdW5lIDIwMTc=&counter=152">Commitment to AF Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/component/documentmananger/?task=download.document&file=bWFpbl9kb2N1bWVudHNfcGRmX2FiWUZ6d05KWWV0aHpqQkxIZU5LVkRNRUFDIFNFQ1JFVEFSSUFUIFFVQUxJVFkgUE9MSUNZIFNUQVRFTUVOVA==&counter=971">Quality Policy Statement</a></li> <li><a href="/frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.eac.int/form-request">Request Information</a></li> </ul></div></div> </section> <footer id="tm-footer" class="tm-footer"> <div class="uk-panel"><ul class="uk-subnav uk-subnav-line uk-flex-center"> <li><a href="/contacts">Contacts</a></li><li><a href="/fraud-alert">Fraud Alert</a></li><li><a href="/terms">Terms of Use</a></li><li><a href="/privacy">Privacy Policy</a></li><li><a href="/cookies">Cookie Policy</a></li><li><a href="mailto:eac@eachq.org">Send us feedback</a></li></ul></div> <div class="uk-panel"> <p>© 1999 - 2024  East African Community. All Rights Reserved</p></div> </footer> </div> <div id="offcanvas" class="uk-offcanvas"> <div class="uk-offcanvas-bar"><ul class="uk-nav uk-nav-offcanvas"> <li><a href="/">HOME</a></li><li class="uk-parent"><a href="/integration-pillars">INTEGRATION PILLARS</a><ul class="uk-nav-sub"><li><a href="/customs-union">Customs Union</a></li><li><a href="/common-market">Common Market</a></li><li><a href="/monetary-union">Monetary Union</a></li><li><a href="/political-federation">Political Federaton</a></li></ul></li><li class="uk-parent"><a href="#">NEWS AND MEDIA</a> <ul class="uk-nav-sub"><li><a href="/press-releases">Press Releases </a></li><li><a href="/communique">Communiqué</a></li><li><a href="/statements">Statements</a></li><li><a href="/news-and-media/calendar-of-events">Calendar of Events</a></li><li><a href="/visiting-the-eac">Visiting the EAC</a></li><li><a href="/media-contacts">Media Contacts</a></li></ul></li><li class="uk-parent"><a href="/about-eac">ABOUT EAC</a><ul class="uk-nav-sub"><li><a href="/overview-of-eac">Overview of EAC</a></li><li><a href="/eac-quick-facts">EAC Quick Facts</a></li><li><a href="/eac-partner-states">EAC Partner States</a></li><li><a href="/eac-organs">EAC Organs</a></li><li><a href="/the-secretariat">The Secretariat</a></li><li><a href="/eac-institutions">EAC Institutions </a></li><li><a href="/about-eac/leadership">EAC Leadership</a></li><li><a href="/eac-history">EAC History</a></li><li><a href="/documents/category/key-documents">Key Documents</a></li><li><a href="/eac-emblems">EAC Emblems</a></li><li><a href="/opportunities">Opportunities at EAC</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/eac-sectors">SECTORS</a></li><li><a href="/resources">E-RESOURCES</a></li><li><a href="https://eac.opendataforafrica.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">REGIONAL STATISTICS</a></li><li><a href="/25years" class="covid-menu">EAC@25</a></li></ul></div> </div> </body> </html>