- Luxembourg, the EU’s wealthiest nation by GDP per capita, introduced a new D visa requirement for all third-country nationals on October 1, 2026
- Kenyans planning to work, study or join family in Luxembourg must now apply for the visa before travelling, at a Luxembourg or Belgian embassy
- The change means applicants could wait up to four months for a decision, not counting the time needed to secure an embassy appointment
Elijah Ntongai is an experienced editor at TUKO.co.ke, with more than four years in financial, business, labour and technology research and reporting. His work provides valuable insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.
Luxembourg made it mandatory for Kenyan citizens and other non-EU nationals to obtain a six-month D visa before travelling to the country for stays exceeding 90 days.
Source: Getty Images
This marked a significant shift in how the Grand Duchy manages long-term immigration.
The requirement came into force on October 1, 2026, replacing an older system that allowed foreigners to secure a temporary authorisation to stay after arriving in Luxembourg or from within the country through the Directorate General of Immigration.
What the D visa covers
The D visa is a long-stay national visa valid for six months. It permits the holder to enter Luxembourg and travel within the Schengen Area for up to three months in any six-month period while their residence permit application is being processed.
Unlike the short-stay C visa, which covers visits of up to 90 days, the D visa is designed as a gateway to formal residency.
Applications must be lodged in person at a Luxembourg embassy or, where Luxembourg has no diplomatic presence, at a Belgian consulate representing the country. Submissions from inside Luxembourg are not accepted under the new rules.
What Kenyan applicants need to prepare
For Kenyan nationals applying for a salaried worker visa, the process involves several steps before the embassy interview.
A Luxembourg employer must first advertise the vacancy through ADEM, the national employment agency.
If no suitable candidate is identified within three weeks, the employer receives a certificate permitting it to hire its preferred candidate, which must then be included in the visa application.
Required documents include a valid passport, a criminal record extract less than three months old, proof of professional qualifications, a signed employment contract offering at least the social minimum wage, Schengen-compliant health insurance, and the ADEM certificate for employment-based cases.
Any documents not in French, German or English require a sworn translation.
Processing times have not been officially confirmed, but salaried worker applications may take up to four months, while EU Blue Card cases may take up to three months.
These figures do not account for the time needed to secure an appointment, so applicants are advised to begin the process well in advance of any planned start date.
Why did Luxembourg change visa requirement
The Luxembourg government cited three reasons for the reform:
- The country was the last EU member state to operate a separate national procedure rather than using the standard Schengen D visa system
- The D visa better satisfies the security standards of the EU’s new smart border infrastructure
- It allows holders to travel across the Schengen Area from the moment they arrive
Luxembourg’s GDP per capita stood at approximately €98,000 in 2025, which is 239% of the EU average in purchasing power standards, according to Eurostat, making it the bloc’s wealthiest member state.
Its labour market draws workers from across the EU and beyond, particularly in finance, technology, logistics and professional services.
UK outlines over 30 visa routes for 10-year permanent residency
In other news, the United Kingdom has outlined more than 30 visa categories that may count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) through its 10-year-long residence route.
This allows eligible migrants to live and work in the country without temporary visa restrictions.
Qualifying routes include the Skilled Worker, UK Ancestry, Global Talent, International Sportsperson and Minister of Religion visas, as well as certain family and humanitarian-based permissions.
Applicants must meet lawful and continuous residence requirements, with eligibility depending on their immigration history, absences from the UK and applicable suitability and character rules.
Successful applicants may later qualify for British citizenship if they meet separate naturalisation requirements, while prospective applicants are advised to consult official UK government guidance before applying.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
