Working in Ireland from Kenya: Visa, Permit, Costs (2026)

The reality of working in Ireland from Kenya

Moving from Kenya to Ireland for work is a real goal for many tradespeople, drivers, and care workers, but you must know how the Irish system works before spending any money. Ireland is an English-speaking country with strong labor needs, but it strictly controls foreign recruitment through a government-managed permit system. Unlike some European nations that offer broad job-seeker visas, Ireland requires you to have an approved job offer from an Irish employer before you can enter the country.

It is important to be direct about your options. Ireland maintains an official Ineligible List of Occupations. If a job is on this list, the Irish government will not issue a work permit for it, no matter how skilled you are. Basic manual roles such as general warehouse labor, standard farm workers, and entry-level construction laborers are currently on this ineligible list. If you do not have formal trade qualifications or experience in a designated shortage area, getting a legal work permit for Ireland is very difficult. In that situation, exploring other European destinations like Poland, Croatia, or Germany may offer a more realistic pathway for general trade opportunities.

However, if you work in an eligible skilled trade, hold professional driving licenses, or have formal training in healthcare and caregiving, Ireland offers clear legal routes. This guide breaks down the official permits, the application steps in Nairobi, the true costs in Kenyan Shillings and Euros, and how to protect yourself from recruitment scams.

The Irish work permit and visa process explained

Moving legally from Kenya to Ireland for employment is a two-step process involving two separate Irish government departments. You cannot complete both steps at once, and the employer must act first.

• Step 1: The Employment Permit (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment). Your prospective Irish employer must apply for your work permit before you apply for your visa. For skilled trades and care roles, the most common route is the General Employment Permit (GEP), or in highly specialized cases, the Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP). In most cases, the employer must first advertise the job across Ireland and the European Union to prove no local worker is available. This process is called the Labour Market Needs Test. Once DETE approves the application, an official Employment Permit is issued in your name.
• Step 2: The Long Stay D Employment Visa (Department of Justice). Once you have your approved Employment Permit, you as the worker apply for your entry visa. As a Kenyan national, you must possess an approved Employment Visa before traveling to Ireland.

Kenyan applicants submit their physical documents, passport, and biometrics at the official VFS Global Ireland Visa Application Centre in Nairobi. The application is then reviewed by the Embassy of Ireland in Nairobi. You cannot travel to Ireland on a tourist visa or visitor status with the plan of looking for work or converting your status locally. Doing so will lead to visa refusal and immediate deportation.

Documents you need and local costs in Kenya

Gathering your documents early prevents delays once an Irish employer offers you a contract. Because Kenya is an English-speaking nation, official Kenyan government documents issued in English do not require translation, which saves you money compared to workers from non-English speaking countries.

To submit a complete visa application in Nairobi, you will need to prepare the following standard documents:

• Signed employment contract: A binding job offer specifying your job title, hours, and conditions, matching your approved Irish employment permit.
• Approved Irish Employment Permit: The official grant document issued by DETE in Ireland.
• Valid passport: Your Kenyan passport must have at least 12 months of validity remaining beyond your intended arrival date in Ireland and contain blank visa pages.
• Police Clearance Certificate: Issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kenya through the eCitizen portal. This certificate proves you have no criminal record.
• Qualifications and work history: Trade certificates, diplomas, driver licenses, or reference letters from previous Kenyan employers proving your experience.
• Medical insurance: Proof of comprehensive private medical coverage for your initial period in Ireland, often arranged in coordination with your employer.
• Biometric data: Fingerprints and a digital photograph taken during your appointment at the visa center in Nairobi.

For legal authentication, your DCI Police Clearance Certificate and official trade credentials may require attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Nairobi or official Apostille verification.

Here is a breakdown of the typical costs you will encounter on the Kenya side. All amounts are estimates and vary based on service providers:

• DCI Police Clearance Certificate: Approximately KES 1,050 (approximately 7 EUR) via eCitizen.
• Medical examination and reports: Approximately KES 6,000 to KES 15,000 (approximately 40 to 100 EUR) depending on the approved clinic in Nairobi.
• Document attestation / legalisation: Approximately KES 2,000 to KES 5,000 (approximately 15 to 35 EUR) per document.
• Irish Long Stay D Visa fee: Set by Ireland at approximately 60 EUR for a single-entry visa (approximately KES 8,500) or 100 EUR for a multiple-entry visa (approximately KES 14,000).
• VFS Global service fee: Approximately KES 5,500 to KES 8,500 (approximately 40 to 60 EUR) paid at the submission center in Nairobi.
• One-way flight from Nairobi to Dublin: Approximately KES 75,000 to KES 130,000 (approximately 500 to 900 EUR) depending on the airline and season.

Processing times require patience. The employer permit approval from DETE in Ireland usually takes approximately 6 to 12 weeks. Once you submit your visa application at the VFS center in Nairobi, visa processing by the Irish Embassy typically takes approximately 4 to 8 weeks. Plan for a total timeline of 3 to 5 months from job offer to arrival.

Demand trades for Kenyan workers in Ireland

While Ireland restricts entry-level manual labor, specific sectors face severe labor shortages and actively recruit non-European workers through authorized permit quotas:

• Caregivers and Healthcare Assistants: Ireland recruits qualified care workers for nursing homes and home-care providers, provided candidates meet training standards and language clarity.
• Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Drivers: Experienced commercial drivers holding valid category C or CE licenses can obtain permits under specific transport quota allocations.
• Skilled Construction Trades: Certified welders, industrial pipefitters, and structural steel erectors are hired for commercial projects across Ireland.

Myths vs facts about Irish work visas in Kenya

Misinformation about working in Europe is widespread in Kenya. Here are the facts you must know:

• Myth: You can travel to Ireland as a visitor and convert to a work permit after finding a job in Dublin.
  Fact: Irish immigration law strictly forbids switching from a visitor status to a work permit inside the country. You must apply for your visa from Kenya after receiving permit approval.
• Myth: Recruitment agencies in Nairobi can sell you an Irish work visa or guarantee a permit for a fee.
  Fact: Legitimate work permits are granted only by the Irish government, and charging jobseekers money for a job offer or placement is illegal under Irish law.
• Myth: Ireland uses the standard European Union Blue Card for all skilled workers.
  Fact: Ireland opted out of the EU Blue Card system and operates its own independent national framework of General and Critical Skills Employment Permits.
• Myth: You can bring your entire family to Ireland immediately on a general trade permit.
  Fact: General Employment Permit holders must complete 12 months of legal employment in Ireland and meet minimum income requirements before applying to bring family members.

Before you sign: Your protection checklist

Before agreeing to any offer or paying for personal document preparation, complete this safety checklist:

• Verify job eligibility: Confirm that your specific job title is not listed on Ireland's Ineligible List of Occupations.
• Check the employer permit status: Ensure your employer has filed an official permit application with DETE and provided you with a copy of the official grant letter or application reference number.
• Confirm no placement fees: Never pay an agent, recruiter, or employer for a job contract or interview. Under Irish and international labor regulations, the employer covers recruitment costs.
• Match details exactly: Verify that the company name, job title, and salary stated on your Irish permit match your signed employment contract.
• Keep your original documents: Never hand over your original passport, DCI clearance, or trade certificates to an agent or recruiter. Only submit them directly to official VFS staff.

Build your Workuro profile today

If you are a Kenyan welder, driver, caregiver, or skilled trade worker ready to find legal employment in Ireland, start by presenting your skills clearly. Register your free profile on Workuro. List your trade qualifications, your years of practical experience, your current passport status, and your English language proficiency.

Having a complete, professional profile allows verified employers looking for international talent to find you directly. Workuro is free for workers - employers pay to search the register, and nobody may charge you for a job.