How to get a Ireland visa from Kenya

• Kenyans who are visiting Ireland on the tourist visa intend to do so for sightseeing, recreation, relaxation, and leisure purposes.
• Applicants of this visa may also be willing to visit their friends and relatives residing in the country.
• Foreigners who are visiting a host in the country should provide a letter of invitation from their host. The letter should have the home address and telephone number of the host.
• A signed application letter explaining why you want to travel to Ireland should be provided. Your full name and your postal address should be included in the letter.
• This visa does not allow you to work in Ireland or use any publicly funded services such as a public hospital.
• Holders of the tourist visa are not allowed to take up a course of study during their time in the country.
• Holders of this visa may attend festivals and events.
• A letter from your employer stating the awareness and allowance of your leave is required if you are employed. The letter should contain the duration of your visit and how long you have been employed.
• Kenyans are expected to provide a copy of their stay permit in the country.
• Minors should ensure they have the original copy of their birth certificate during the visa application process. A notarized letter of consent signed by applicants’ parent should be provided if they are under the age of 18 years.
• You are required to have a document which shows that you have the incentive of returning to your home country.
• Receipt of paid visa application fee should be provided.
• You are not permitted to seek public funds.
• An extension to your visa will only be granted in rare and exceptional circumstances.
• All documents must be written in English Language.

• The business visa is for Kenyans who intend visiting Ireland to engage in business activities.
• Business travelers are allowed to sign and negotiate business contracts with partner companies whilst they are in the country.
• With this visa, foreigners may attend conferences, business summits, and trade fairs.
• You are required to present a letter from your current employer in Kenya. The letter should be written on the company’s official letterhead and must include the duration of your visit to Ireland.
• An official letter of invitation from your partner company should be provided. The letter should state the duration and purpose of your visit.
• If your finances will be covered by your employer or the company you are to meet with in Ireland, it should be stated in the letter provided.
• Certificate of business registration of your partner company in Ireland should be provided.
• Proof that the visa application fee has been paid is required.
• If you have had prior business dealings with the company in Ireland, proof of this is likely to aid your visa application.
• Kenyans who have been invited by more than one host in the country must obtain a separate letter of invitation from each host.
• If you have a family at home, you must prove that you will return to them. A description of your family and children should be attached to the document submitted during the visa application process.
• The initial visa issued to you will be valid for a single-entry. If you have a valid reason for leaving the country, for a short period of time, you must apply in advance.

• Eligible applicants of this visa are students who intend to study either part-time or full-time in one of the schools in Ireland.
• Before initiating the visa application process, applicants should ensure they have been admitted into the school of their choice to study.
• You are granted this visa on the basis that you will attend school to partake in a course which involves at least 15 hours of organized daytime tuition every week.
• If you have been refused a visa for any country, you must submit the original letter of refusal that was issued to you by the authorities of that country.
• An official letter of acceptance from the school you have been accepted to should be provided. Information on the letter should include the course you are to study and the duration of your stay in the country.
• All applicants regardless of nationality or educational background must undertake the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test and provide the original certificate during the visa application.
• Other acceptable certificates will be those from an internationally recognized test such as TOEFL or Cambridge.
• You are required to pay at least €6,000 of your tuition where the course fee is above this amount. Where the course fee is below €6,000, you are required to pay this fee in full.
• Evidence of the amount paid should be included in your Letter of Acceptance from the college.
• The initial visa issued to you will be valid for a single entry to the country. If you have a valid reason for leaving Ireland for a short period of time you must apply in advance of making any arrangements for a re-entry visa.
• Before a re-entry visa can be issued, you must be registered with the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
• Applicants who are under the age of 18 years are required to have the original copy of their birth certificates. A notarized letter of consent signed by both their parents should be provided.
• Only students attending a full-time course of education of at least one year’s duration leading to qualifications recognized by the Minister for Education and Science will be permitted to take up casual employment.

No, the Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland.

The processing time for a student visa is between four to eight weeks from the date your application is lodged at the Visa Office/Embassy/Consulate.

Ireland is expensive because of the taxes and levies, the cost of transportation and the abundance of multinational companies.