Ireland Visa RequirementsFor Kenya passport holders
Kenyan citizens need an Irish visa to visit Ireland, costing approximately €60 for single-entry ($75 USD). Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area and issues its own national visa. Applications are submitted online through the Irish Immigration Service portal.
Kenya passport holders require a visa to enter Ireland.
Apply online at irishimmigration.ie. After submitting the form and paying the fee online, upload supporting documents: a cover letter explaining your visit, valid passport, passport photos, confirmed return flight bookings, proof of accommodation (hotel or invitation from an Irish host), 6 months of bank statements, employment letter and payslips, and travel insurance. Processing typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. Once approved, bring the approval notification and your passport to the Irish Embassy in Nairobi to have the visa stamp inserted in your passport.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Kenya to Ireland: What You Need to Know
Ireland operates a visa system entirely separate from the Schengen Area: a Schengen visa does not grant entry to Ireland, and an Irish visa is not valid for Schengen travel. A short-stay visitor visa (Category C) is required for Kenyan passport holders. Single-entry costs €60 and multiple-entry costs €100. Ireland is popular for Kenyans visiting family members working or studying there, as well as for tourism. The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) processes applications, which are submitted online.
How to Get There
No direct flights connect Nairobi (NBO) to Dublin (DUB). The most common routing is via London Heathrow (LHR) with Kenya Airways or British Airways, then a 1.5-hour connecting flight to Dublin with Aer Lingus or British Airways. Alternatively fly via Amsterdam (AMS) or Paris (CDG) and connect. Note that Ireland and the UK have a Common Travel Area, but Kenyan citizens need separate visas for each country. Total journey time Nairobi to Dublin is typically 14 to 18 hours.
Money & Banking
Ireland uses the euro (EUR). Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted. Ireland is one of the more expensive European destinations: budget accommodation starts around €50 to €70 per night, pub meals from €15 to €20. Dublin is particularly expensive. Tipping 10 to 12 percent is customary in restaurants. Guinness at a Dublin pub costs around €6 to €7. ATMs are widely available throughout the country.
Practical Tips
Dublin highlights include Trinity College and the Book of Kells, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Guinness Storehouse, and the vibrant Temple Bar area. The Cliffs of Moher on the west coast offer dramatic Atlantic scenery. The Ring of Kerry in County Kerry covers stunning coastal and mountain landscapes. Galway is a lively university city known for traditional Irish music sessions in pubs. The Aran Islands preserve the Irish (Gaelic) language and traditional culture. Northern Ireland (UK) is easily reachable by bus from Dublin and includes the Giant's Causeway.