Ireland visa costs rise for Kenyans as embassy shifts to VFS Global processing

The Irish Embassy in Nairobi has partnered with VFS Global, adding a service fee of €63.80 (US$74) to every Ireland visa application from Kenya

Kenyans looking to travel to Ireland will now pay significantly more for their visa after the Irish Embassy in Nairobi officially ended direct visa appointments and moved all application processing to VFS Global. The change introduces an extra VFS service fee of €63.80 (US$74), equivalent to roughly KSh 9,700 ($75), on top of existing Ireland visa charges.

The Irish Embassy in Kenya announced the partnership on its Facebook page, describing it as part of its mission to make the visa application process faster and more efficient. The arrangement came into effect on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

The embassy wrote: "This new arrangement is in line with the Embassy's mission to streamline the visa application process, increasing efficiencies and ensuring that quality visa applications can be lodged and decided in the shortest possible timeframe."

Kenyan citizens and residents must now submit their supporting documents at the VFS submission center in Nairobi rather than booking appointments at the embassy directly. As reported by Kenyans.co.ke, the shift means applicants will incur an additional VFS service fee on top of the standard visa charges.

What this means for your wallet

The additional VFS fee is notable because it actually exceeds the price of a single-entry Irish visa. A single-entry visa currently costs around KSh 8,991 or €60 ($70), while a multi-entry visa runs about KSh 15,000 or €100 ($116).

Once the VFS service charge is factored in, the total outlay for a single-entry Ireland visa from Kenya rises to approximately KSh 18,600 ($143). For those applying for a multi-entry visa, the combined cost climbs to around KSh 24,000 ($185).

What the embassy says about the benefits

Despite the higher costs, the embassy has framed the partnership as a clear improvement for applicants. In its Facebook announcement, the embassy stated that the new system is intended to help applicants "get appointments for lodging their documents more quickly, and avail of a more tailored service."

Who is not affected

The embassy clarified that the changes do not apply to visa applicants who are resident in Somalia, Sudan, or Eritrea. Applicants from those countries should consult the embassy's website for separate guidance on how to submit their applications.

Other important details for applicants

The embassy also reminded applicants that holding a valid visa does not automatically guarantee entry into Ireland. Immigration officers at the border retain full authority to deny admission at their discretion.

Processing timelines will vary depending on the visa category and how complete the submitted documentation is. Once an application has been finalized, passports will be returned to applicants through VFS.

For applicants whose visa is refused, the right to appeal remains in place. The embassy clarified that detailed instructions on how to lodge an appeal will be included in any refusal letter.