Kenyans seeking to travel to Ireland will now pay an extra Ksh9,700 after the Irish Embassy in Nairobi announced changes to the visa application.
In a notice issued on Friday, May 22, the Embassy of Ireland in Kenya announced a partnership with global outsourcing firm VFS Global, directing all Kenyans seeking to travel to the European country to start applying for a visa through the firm.
According to the embassy, the new arrangement took effect from May 15, 2026, ending the previous system where applicants booked appointments directly at the embassy.
“As of May 21 2026, the Embassy of Ireland in Kenya has transferred to a partnership with VFS Global. Kenyan and Kenyan Resident visa applicants will submit their supporting documents at the VFS submission centre in Nairobi. Visa appointments at the Embassy will no longer be offered,” the embassy stated.
Under the new directive, Kenyan citizens and residents applying for Irish visas will now submit supporting documents at the VFS submission centre in Nairobi, eliminating the traditional process where visa appointments were done at the embassy.
The shift means applicants will incur an additional VFS service fee of €63.80, approximately Ksh9,700, on top of existing visa charges.
A single-entry Irish visa currently costs around Ksh8,991 (€60), while a multi-entry visa costs about Ksh15,000 (€100).
The new VFS charge is higher than the actual cost of a single-entry visa. This means that for those seeking a single-entry visa to Ireland, you will be required to pay up to Ksh 18,600 in total, while those seeking a multi-entry visa will have to pay about Ksh24,000 altogether to cover VFS charges.
The embassy, however, argues that the partnership is aimed at streamlining visa services and improving efficiency in the processing of applications.
“With this new arrangement, it is intended that applicants will be able to obtain appointments to lodge documents more quickly and avail of a wider range of personalised services,” the embassy added in a statement.
The embassy further noted that receiving a visa does not automatically guarantee entry into Ireland, as immigration officers at border control retain the authority to deny admission.
Processing times will also depend on visa category and the completeness of the documentation submitted. Passports will be returned through VFS once applications are finalised.
Applicants whose visas are refused will also continue to have the right to appeal, with instructions provided in refusal letters, the embassy clarified.