🇰🇪 → 🇮🇪

Ireland Visa for Kenyans

⚠ Visa Required — You must apply before travel
40% Rejection Rate
3/5 Difficulty
60–112d Processing

Quick Facts

Requirement Visa Required
Visa Fee
Processing Time 60–112 working days
Appointment Wait ~ weeks
Stay Duration Up to 90 days

Ireland is a popular destination for Kenyan visitors — tourism, diaspora visits, and business. The visa process changed in May 2026 with submissions now going through VFS Global in Westlands, Nairobi. Key preparation: bank-stamped statements and a specific cover letter are your two most important documents.

Key Warnings

  • From 1 June 2026, Ireland removed the right of appeal for Short Stay C visa refusals. If refused, you cannot appeal — you must submit a new application from scratch. This makes thorough preparation even more critical.
  • A new mandatory VFS service fee of EUR 63.80 (~KES 9,700) applies from May 2026. This is separate from the EUR 60 visa application fee. Total single-entry cost is now approximately KES 18,700.
  • Ireland is NOT in the Schengen Area. An Irish visa gives NO access to Germany, France, Spain, or other EU countries. If combining Ireland with Europe, you need a separate Schengen visa.
  • There is no expedited processing. Ireland does not rush applications. Apply at least 3 months before travel.

Insider Tips

  • Bank-stamped statements are non-negotiable. Online printouts without a physical branch stamp are rejected. Visit your bank, ask for stamped originals, and collect them within 7 days of your VFS appointment.
  • The VFS move to Parkfield Building in May 2026 has made appointment slots more readily available compared to the previous embassy-based system — book early but don't panic about long waits.
  • Your cover letter must be typed and specific. Name your employer, your exact leave dates, your family members in Kenya, what you plan to see in Ireland each day. Specific is always better.
  • If you have prior UK, UAE, or Schengen visit stamps in your passport, highlight them in your cover letter. Irish officers value prior visa compliance highly.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Complete AVATS online application at visas.inis.ie

    Go to visas.inis.ie and create an AVATS account. Complete the Short Stay 'C' application — select 'Visit' or 'Tourism'. Print and sign the application summary at the end. Note your VFS transaction reference number.

  2. Write a strong typed cover letter

    Explain your specific itinerary, accommodation, purpose of travel, and — critically — why you are returning to Kenya (your job, family, property). Be specific with names, dates, and details.

  3. Get bank-stamped statements from your bank

    Visit your bank branch and request 6 months of statements physically stamped by the bank. Do this within a week of your VFS appointment. Online printouts alone are rejected.

  4. Buy travel insurance (EUR 30,000 minimum)

    Purchase travel insurance covering your full stay in Ireland with at least EUR 30,000 medical coverage. Include the certificate in your document pack.

  5. Book VFS Global appointment in Nairobi

    Go to visa.vfsglobal.com/ken/en/irl and book an appointment at VFS Global, 5th Floor, Parkfield Building, Muthangari Drive, Westlands. The mandatory VFS service fee (EUR 63.80 / ~KES 9,700) is payable at VFS.

  6. Attend VFS appointment — biometrics + document submission

    Bring your complete document pack plus originals and photocopies of all passport pages. VFS collects your biometrics (10 fingerprints + photo) and the mandatory VFS service fee (~KES 9,700). Pay the EUR 60 visa fee (~KES 9,000) and submit all documents. VFS forwards your file to the Irish Visa Office.

  7. Wait for decision (approximately 8–10 weeks)

    The processing clock starts when the Irish Visa Office receives your file from VFS. You will receive an email notification. Do not purchase non-refundable travel until you have a decision. From 1 June 2026, if refused, there is no appeal — you must reapply from scratch addressing the specific refusal reason.

  8. Collect your passport from VFS

    Return to VFS Nairobi to collect your passport once notified, or opt for courier delivery. If refused, read the refusal letter carefully and address the exact reason in any new application.

Required Documents

  • Signed AVATS application summary Complete the online application at visas.inis.ie. Print, sign, and date the summary sheet. Write your VFS transaction number on the back.
  • Typed cover letter Must be typed (not handwritten). Explain your purpose of visit, full itinerary, accommodation arrangements, and your ties to Kenya — employer, property, family. Clearly state why you will return. A vague letter is a leading cause of refusal.
  • Valid Kenyan passport (6+ months validity) Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. Minimum 2 blank pages. Bring all previous passports showing travel history. Submit photocopies of every page.
  • Two recent passport photos (35×45mm) White background. Sign on the reverse and write your VFS transaction number.
  • 6 months bank statements — must be bank-stamped CRITICAL: statements must be physically stamped by your bank branch. Online printouts without a stamp are rejected. Collect stamped statements within a week of your VFS appointment. Show consistent income — EUR 50–100/day is a reasonable guide.
  • Employment letter on company letterhead Confirms your position, monthly salary, employment start date, approved leave dates, and that your job continues on your return. Must be consistent with bank statement deposits.
  • 3 months payslips Must match the salary stated in your employment letter.
  • Return flight booking or itinerary Confirmed booking showing departure from and return to Kenya. Do not buy non-refundable tickets before the visa is granted.
  • Accommodation proof for entire stay Hotel bookings for all nights, or a signed invitation letter from your Irish host with proof of their identity and legal residence status.
  • Travel insurance (minimum EUR 30,000 medical cover) Must cover the full duration of your stay in Ireland. EUR 30,000 medical minimum.

Recommended (Optional)

  • Property ownership documents in Kenya Title deed or land certificate — demonstrates strong ties to Kenya.
  • Evidence of family ties in Kenya Marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, school enrolment records.
  • Previous UK, US, or Schengen visa history Prior compliant visits to comparable destinations significantly strengthen your application.

Latest Updates

2026-06-01

Ireland removed the right of appeal for Short Stay C visa refusals from 1 June 2026 (Minister Colm Brophy). Refused applicants must now submit a new application rather than appeal the decision.

2026-05-15

The Embassy of Ireland transferred all Short Stay C visa submissions to VFS Global, 5th Floor, Parkfield Building, Muthangari Drive, Westlands, Nairobi. A mandatory VFS service fee of EUR 63.80 (~KES 9,700) now applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Kenyans need a visa to visit Ireland?
Yes — Kenyan passport holders require a Short Stay 'C' Visit Visa for Ireland. Apply online at visas.inis.ie (AVATS), then submit documents and biometrics at VFS Global, 5th Floor, Parkfield Building, Westlands, Nairobi. Since May 2026, VFS handles all submissions (the Embassy no longer accepts walk-ins). The fee is EUR 60 (~KES 9,000) plus a mandatory VFS service fee of ~KES 9,700.
Has the Ireland visa process changed for Kenyans in 2026?
Yes — from 15 May 2026, the Irish Embassy Nairobi transferred all Short Stay C visa submissions to VFS Global at Parkfield Building, Muthangari Drive, Westlands. A mandatory VFS service fee of EUR 63.80 (~KES 9,700) now applies on top of the EUR 60 visa fee. The online AVATS application at visas.inis.ie remains unchanged.
Can Kenyans appeal an Irish visa refusal?
No — from 1 June 2026, Ireland removed the right of appeal for Short Stay C visa refusals. If your application is refused, you cannot appeal. You must submit a completely new application, addressing the specific reason for refusal stated in the refusal letter. This makes thorough preparation before your first application more important than ever.
Does an Irish visa allow travel to Schengen countries?
No. Ireland is NOT part of the Schengen Area. An Irish visa only permits entry to Ireland — it gives no access to Germany, France, Spain, Italy, or any other Schengen country. If you plan to combine Ireland with mainland Europe, you need two separate visas.
Do bank statements for an Irish visa need a physical stamp?
Yes — the Irish Visa Office requires bank statements to be physically stamped by your bank branch. Internet banking printouts without a branch stamp are routinely flagged as insufficient and can lead to refusal. Visit your bank, request stamped statements covering the last 6 months, and collect them within the week before your VFS appointment.

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Where to Apply

VFS Global Ireland Visa Application Centre

Nairobi

5th Floor, Parkfield Building, Muthangari Drive (off Waiyaki Way), Westlands, Nairobi

Mon–Fri 08:30–15:00 (submissions); 12:00–17:00 (passport collection)

Open since 15 May 2026 — the Irish Embassy Nairobi transferred all Short Stay C visa submissions to this VFS centre. Biometrics (10 fingerprints + photo) collected at the appointment. Mandatory VFS service fee EUR 63.80 (~KES 9,700) applies. Book via the VFS portal.

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