How to Get Paid by a US Company as a Remote Worker in Kenya
Have a remote offer from a US or UK company and live in Kenya? Here are the three ways you can get paid — contractor, EOR employee, or your own company — what each means for your KRA taxes and benefits, and what to ask the employer.
Updated July 8, 2026 • Verified current for 2026
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A US or UK company can pay you in Kenya in three ways: as an independent contractor (you invoice the company, register with the KRA, and handle your own Kenyan taxes), as an Employer of Record employee (a provider like Deel or Remote employs you in Kenya on the company’s behalf, running local payroll and statutory benefits), or through your own company. For a single hire, contractor or EOR are the usual routes. You’re generally taxed in Kenya, not the US; a US client will typically ask you to complete IRS Form W-8BEN. Confirm your tax and KRA registration with a local professional.
The Three Ways You Can Get Paid
1. Independent contractor
You invoice the company (usually in USD) and are self-employed in Kenya, registering with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) — including obtaining a PIN — and filing your own income tax. What it means for you: more take-home up front and freedom to keep multiple clients, but no employer benefits or paid leave, and all the admin is yours. Price your rate to cover taxes and the benefits an employer would otherwise provide. See invoicing a US company as an international contractor.
2. EOR employee
A provider such as Deel, Remote, or Multiplier employs you through its Kenyan entity on the company’s behalf. What it means for you: a local employment contract, payslips, statutory benefits, and tax handled at source — real employment without the US company needing a Kenyan entity. The employer pays the EOR fee and contributions, which can affect the gross salary offered. See what an EOR means for you.
3. Your own company
You can bill through your own registered Kenyan company. This mainly suits people already running a services business; for an employment-like role, a contractor arrangement or EOR is usually simpler.
The Kenya-Specific Things to Sort Out
Structural checklist to confirm with a Kenyan tax professional — thresholds and rules change, so don’t treat these as final:
- KRA registration and filing. As a contractor you register with the KRA (including a PIN) and file your own income tax; as an EOR employee, tax is handled through payroll.
- VAT. Depending on your turnover you may have VAT obligations — confirm the current threshold and whether it applies to you.
- Receiving foreign payments. Bank (SWIFT) transfers, Wise, and Payoneer are used where supported; foreign inflows typically arrive via bank or transfer service before moving to mobile money domestically. Compare total cost — fees plus the exchange-rate spread. See the best ways to receive international payments.
What to Ask the Employer
- Which rail — contractor or EOR employee?
- If contractor, what’s the rate, and does it cover your Kenyan taxes and lack of benefits?
- If EOR, which provider, and what benefits and paid leave come with it?
- Currency and who absorbs conversion on each payment?
If you’d prefer employment and they’ve offered contractor status, see how to ask your employer to hire you via an EOR — and point them to our explainer on hiring in Kenya.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does a US company pay a remote worker in Kenya?
Three common ways. As an independent contractor, you invoice the company and handle your own Kenyan taxes, registering with the KRA. As an Employer of Record (EOR) employee, a provider such as Deel or Remote employs you in Kenya on the company's behalf, running local payroll, tax, and statutory benefits while you work for the US company. Or you bill through your own company. Which one applies changes your taxes, benefits, and job security — confirm it before you sign.
Do I pay US taxes working for a US company from Kenya?
Generally you're taxed in Kenya, where you're a tax resident, on income for work performed there — not in the US. A US company will usually ask you, as a non-US contractor, to complete IRS Form W-8BEN certifying your foreign status, and generally won't withhold US income tax on work done entirely outside the US. Your Kenyan obligations still apply. Confirm your specific position with a local tax professional.
Do I need to register with the KRA to work for a foreign company in Kenya?
If you're paid as an independent contractor, you generally register with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) — including obtaining a PIN — and file your own income tax as a self-employed person; depending on your turnover you may also have VAT obligations. The thresholds and rules change over time, so confirm your registration type and any VAT obligation with a Kenyan tax professional. As an EOR employee, your tax is handled through payroll.
How do I receive money from a US company in Kenya?
Common routes are bank (SWIFT) transfers into your Kenyan account and transfer services such as Wise or Payoneer where supported for your route; mobile-money rails are widely used domestically but foreign inflows usually arrive via bank or transfer service first. Compare the total cost — fees plus the exchange-rate spread — and agree with the company who absorbs it before your first payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a US company pay a remote worker in Kenya?
Three common ways. As an independent contractor, you invoice the company and handle your own Kenyan taxes, registering with the KRA. As an Employer of Record (EOR) employee, a provider such as Deel or Remote employs you in Kenya on the company's behalf, running local payroll, tax, and statutory benefits while you work for the US company. Or you bill through your own company. Which one applies changes your taxes, benefits, and job security — confirm it before you sign.
Do I pay US taxes working for a US company from Kenya?
Generally you're taxed in Kenya, where you're a tax resident, on income for work performed there — not in the US. A US company will usually ask you, as a non-US contractor, to complete IRS Form W-8BEN certifying your foreign status, and generally won't withhold US income tax on work done entirely outside the US. Your Kenyan obligations still apply. Confirm your specific position with a local tax professional.
Do I need to register with the KRA to work for a foreign company in Kenya?
If you're paid as an independent contractor, you generally register with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) — including obtaining a PIN — and file your own income tax as a self-employed person; depending on your turnover you may also have VAT obligations. The thresholds and rules change over time, so confirm your registration type and any VAT obligation with a Kenyan tax professional. As an EOR employee, your tax is handled through payroll.
How do I receive money from a US company in Kenya?
Common routes are bank (SWIFT) transfers into your Kenyan account and transfer services such as Wise or Payoneer where supported for your route; mobile-money rails are widely used domestically but foreign inflows usually arrive via bank or transfer service first. Compare the total cost — fees plus the exchange-rate spread — and agree with the company who absorbs it before your first payment.
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