Kenya recruitment · 3 min read
HELB compliance certificate for a job: who gets which one
The two HELB compliance certificates, the clearance certificate after full repayment, where to apply and what it costs.
Employers who ask for HELB clearance want to know one thing: that you are not in default on a student loan. HELB issues different documents depending on whether you borrowed and whether you have finished paying. Here is which one you need and how to get it.
Three documents, three situations
- Loanee compliance certificate: for HELB beneficiaries who are up to date with repayment, or still within the repayment grace period.
- Non-loanee compliance certificate: for people who never benefited from a HELB loan.
- Certificate of clearance: issued once a beneficiary has repaid the loan in full.
For a job application, the compliance certificate that matches your situation is normally what the employer means by HELB clearance.
Where to apply and what it costs
HELB says you can apply for a compliance certificate from the HELB portal or the eCitizen portal, and that the service is not charged, for both loanees and non-loanees.
Since the Employment (Amendment) Act, 2022, section 9(8) of the Employment Act says a public body that issues a clearance or compliance certificate must not charge a fee for it, and must issue it or reject the application within seven days.
If you are behind on repayments
A loanee certificate is for people who are up to date. If your account is in arrears, contact HELB through its official portal or offices to bring the account up to date before you apply, and keep proof of every payment.
If you have just started work, ask HR to set up the deduction for HELB from your salary where your loan terms require it, so the account does not fall behind again.
Keep it safe and verifiable
- Download the certificate yourself from the official portal, never from a link someone sends you.
- Check that your name and ID number are correct.
- Save it as a PDF with the date in the file name.
- Never pay anyone on social media for a HELB certificate. It is free from HELB.
Sources and further reading
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Frequently asked questions
Is the HELB compliance certificate free?
Yes. HELB says the service is not charged, for both loanees and people who never took a HELB loan.
I never took a HELB loan. Do I still need HELB clearance?
If the employer asks for it, apply for the non-loanee compliance certificate from the HELB portal or eCitizen.
What is the difference between HELB compliance and clearance?
A compliance certificate shows you are up to date or never borrowed. A certificate of clearance is issued after the loan is fully repaid.