How to Move to Ireland from Kenya: Visas, Costs and Tips

Kenyan professionals are an increasingly visible part of Irish healthcare, technology, finance and care work, and Kenyan students come to Irish colleges every year. If you are Kenyan and thinking of making the move, the central question is which permission suits your profession and how to avoid scams along the way. This guide covers the routes, costs and the first weeks.

Visa Status and Entry Rules

Kenyan citizens need a visa to enter Ireland. For work, the employer applies for the employment permit and then you apply for the long-stay entry visa. For study, you apply once you have an offer and can show the required funds and tuition payment. Always use official Irish government channels for visa applications and check the current requirements.

Your Main Routes to Living in Ireland

For most non-EU nationals the strongest work route is the Critical Skills Employment Permit, which needs a job offer on the eligible occupations list at or above the salary threshold that applies at the time. Roles that do not qualify usually fall under the General Employment Permit, which has its own salary floor and, for many roles, a Labour Market Needs Test. Both need a job offer first, and the employer normally applies.

Kenyan nurses, engineers, software developers and finance professionals are the typical applicants. Care assistants and some hospitality roles have been affected by changes to permit rules, so check the occupations list and salary rules for your job before relying on the General Employment Permit.

The General Employment Permit covers a wider list of jobs but comes with a minimum salary and, in most cases, a requirement that the employer first advertises the role locally. Some occupations are ineligible, so check the current lists before you plan around it.

Studying in Ireland is the other common route. A student with a place on a recognised full-time course receives Stamp 2 permission, which allows limited part-time work during term and more in holiday periods, within limits that are updated from time to time. Graduates may be eligible for the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G), which gives a period to look for work, and can then move to an employment permit. Fees for non-EU students are far higher than for EU students, so price the whole course and your living costs before applying.

Family routes exist too. The spouse or partner of certain permit holders may be able to join them and work, and family members of Irish or EU citizens have separate rights. Immigration Stamp 4 is commonly associated with family reunification and long-term residence, but the rules depend on the sponsor's status, so apply only after checking current guidance.

Timeline and Costs

Allow around three to six months from job offer to arrival, longer for regulated professions. Costs include the permit fee, which has been in the range of a few hundred to around a thousand euro, visa fees, the Irish Residence Permit fee of about 300 euro, document certification, flights and the first month of rent and deposit. Students must budget tuition and funds proof, which are substantial.

All fees and processing times change, so treat every figure here as approximate and confirm the current position at irishimmigration.ie and enterprise.gov.ie before you commit money.

Recognition of Qualifications

Kenyan degrees from established universities are widely understood. For regulated professions, register with the Irish body, for example the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Non-regulated roles generally need only a clear CV and certified documents. QQI can compare your qualification to Irish levels, which helps when employers are unfamiliar with your institution.

Your First Steps After Landing

Whatever your route, the first fortnight in Ireland follows a similar order. Get a PPS number first, because employers, banks and the Revenue system all ask for it. Our guide to the PPS number in Ireland explains the application through MyWelfare.ie and what proof of address you need. Then work through opening a bank account in Ireland, which can be slow for new arrivals without Irish payslips or utility bills, so start with the banks and digital providers that accept passport and tenancy documents.

Housing is the hardest part for almost everyone. Read renting in Ireland before you pay any deposit, never transfer money for a property you have not seen or had verified, and budget for short-term accommodation while you search. On healthcare, Irish public care is not automatically free for new arrivals. You may be asked to pay for GP visits, and many people take out private health insurance early. Check your eligibility for a medical card or GP visit card on the HSE website.

Cost of Living, Community and Culture

Dublin has the largest Kenyan community, and there are groups in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. Churches, sports clubs and Kenyan associations help newcomers settle and share housing leads. Be cautious with online room offers and never pay before viewing and verifying.

Kenyans often comment on how quiet Irish social life can seem at first, followed by warm friendships once you join clubs or community groups. Weather will be the biggest physical adjustment. Layers and waterproofs are essential.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Paying individuals or agents for a job offer. Genuine employers do not charge candidates.
• Starting work before the permit is issued. That can jeopardise your status.
• Underestimating deposit and moving costs.
• Not checking that a college is recognised for immigration purposes.
• Ignoring PPS and bank setup after arrival. See our guides on PPS numbers and bank accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions