Ireland Visa Costs Jump for Kenyans as Embassy Shifts to VFS Global Processing

Kenyans seeking to travel to Ireland will pay significantly more for visas starting this month, after the Embassy of Ireland in Nairobi ended direct appointment bookings and handed processing over to VFS Global.

<cite index="45-3,45-5">The change took effect on 15 May 2026, making VFS Global the sole channel for visa applications in Kenya</cite>. <cite index="45-6,45-8">The arrangement introduces a mandatory service fee of €63.80 — equivalent to about Ksh9,700 — on top of standard visa charges, pushing the total cost for a single-entry visa to nearly Ksh18,600, while a multi-entry visa now costs about Ksh24,000</cite>.

The VFS service fee exceeds the visa itself

<cite index="45-7">A single-entry visa remains priced at €60, while a multi-entry visa costs €100</cite>, but the VFS service charge is now higher than the cost of a single-entry visa itself. <cite index="45-10">The increase in costs is likely to affect many travellers, particularly those seeking short-term visas</cite>.

<cite index="46-5,46-9">The Embassy said the partnership with VFS Global is intended to streamline the visa application process, increase efficiencies, and ensure quality applications can be lodged and decided in the shortest possible timeframe</cite>. <cite index="46-10">The embassy also stated that applicants will be able to obtain appointments to lodge documents more quickly and avail of a wider range of personalised services</cite>.

How the new system works

<cite index="45-4">Under the new system, applicants must submit their documents through the VFS Global submission centre in Nairobi</cite>. <cite index="46-21">Applicants can pay the visa fee with M-Pesa or by debit card directly to VFS at the time of the appointment</cite>. <cite index="46-2,46-3">An additional VFS services charge of €63.80 or KES 9,730 applies, and VFS offers additional services for an additional fee</cite>.

<cite index="46-14,46-15">Applicants may pay in Kenyan Shillings according to the current exchange rate, with the exact cost communicated during the appointment</cite>. <cite index="46-34,46-36,46-37">Passports will be returned via VFS; if an application is approved and the applicant has opted to retain their passport, the visa sticker will be affixed by the Embassy and transmitted back to VFS, which will then contact the applicant to collect the passport</cite>.

Entry not guaranteed despite higher fees

<cite index="45-11,45-12">The embassy noted that holding a visa does not guarantee entry into Ireland, as immigration officers at border control will continue to make final decisions on admission</cite>. <cite index="45-15,45-16">Applicants whose visas are refused will still be allowed to appeal, with instructions on the appeals process included in refusal letters</cite>.

The shift mirrors changes at other European embassies in Nairobi, where third-party visa processors have become standard. VFS Global already handles UK visa applications for Kenya, where service fees and optional priority processing can push total costs well above the base visa charge.

For diaspora families coordinating visits home or Kenyans planning short-term travel to Ireland for work, study, or family reasons, the new fee structure represents a significant financial hurdle — particularly when the service charge alone exceeds the cost of the visa it is meant to facilitate.

Reporting drawn from Mwakilishi, Embassy of Ireland, Kenya.