Visa Requirements For Ireland Travel

Whether or not you need a visa to enter Ireland depends on your nationality and the type of travel document you hold. Ireland is a member state of the EU and EEA, so foreign nationals who are citizens of countries included in those agreements are exempt from holding a visa. Nationals of several other countries are also exempt from Irish visas. However, if your country is not on the exempt list, you will need to apply for a visa before travelling to Ireland.

Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland?

Exemptions for EU/EEA citizens and nationals of certain countries

If you are a citizen of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA)—which includes the 27 countries of the European Union, as well as Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein—you do not need a visa to travel to Ireland. This means that if you are an EU citizen, you can use your national identity card to enter the Republic of Ireland, as long as you are arriving and exiting the island via an airport or ferry port in the country. If you are travelling directly to Northern Ireland from the EU, or travelling onwards to Great Britain from Northern Ireland, you will need a passport.

If you are a citizen of one of the following countries, you are also exempt from holding a visa for Ireland:

• Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region)
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Swaziland (Eswatini)

Nationals of these countries can enter Ireland without a visa for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days.

Short-term visa requirements

Whether or not you need a visa to enter Ireland depends on your nationality and the type of travel document you hold. Ireland is a member state of the EU and EEA, so foreign nationals who are nationals of countries included in those agreements are exempt from holding a visa for Ireland. However, if you are not a citizen of the UK, Switzerland, or a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) (which includes the EU, Norway, Iceland, and Lichtenstein), you may need to apply for a visa.

If you are travelling to Ireland for less than 3 months, you should apply for a short-stay 'C' visa. This type of visa is suitable for tourists, those visiting friends or family, those attending business meetings, or those attending a short course. The 'C' visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days and costs €60. You must leave Ireland when your 'C' visa expires and apply for another visa if you wish to return.

If you are a citizen of the EU, EEA, or one of the following countries, you do not need to apply for a visa to enter Ireland:

• Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region)
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• United Arab Emirates

Additionally, if you are a citizen of the UK, you do not need a passport or visa to travel to Ireland. You can use official photo identification. If you are an EU national, you can use your national identity card or a valid passport to enter the Republic of Ireland. However, if you are travelling directly to Northern Ireland from the EU or travelling onwards to Great Britain from Northern Ireland, you will need a passport.

If you are a citizen of the following countries, you will need to apply for a visa before travelling to Ireland:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Central African Republic
• Republic of the Congo
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Sao Tome and Principe

It is important to note that visa requirements can change, so it is recommended to check with your local Irish embassy or consulate before travelling to determine if you need a visa and to confirm the specific requirements for your nationality.

Long-term visa requirements

If you plan to stay in Ireland for longer than three months, you will need to apply for a Long Stay 'D' Visa. This visa is for individuals who wish to stay in Ireland for longer than 90 days for purposes such as work, study, or joining family members.

The requirements for a Long Stay Visa are as follows:

• Completed visa application form
• Passport-sized photographs
• Proof of accommodation in Ireland
• Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay
• Health insurance coverage
• Evidence of the purpose of your stay (e.g. employment contract, letter of acceptance from an educational institution, family reunification documents)
• Police clearance certificate
• Any additional documents specific to your visa category

The application process involves:

• Determining your eligibility
• Selecting your visa type
• Gathering the required documents
• Completing your visa application form
• Paying the required visa fee
• Submitting your application, along with supporting documents and the visa fee, to the nearest Irish embassy, consulate, or visa application centre in your country of residence
• Providing your biometric enrolment (if applicable)
• Attending an interview (if required)
• Waiting for your visa application to be processed
• Receiving your decision and collecting your passport
• Making travel arrangements and ensuring you have all required documents for entry into Ireland

The processing time for a Long Stay Visa is typically around eight weeks, but can vary depending on factors such as the volume of applications and holiday periods. It is recommended that applicants allow as much time as possible and apply at least 12 weeks before their proposed date of travel.

Types of Long Stay Visas

There are several types of Long Stay Visas, each with its own unique requirements:

• Family Member Visa: For spouses/civil partners, children, or de facto partners of Irish citizens or residents.
• Employment Visa: For foreign nationals who wish to work in Ireland. A work permit from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is required in addition to the visa.
• Minister of Religion Visa: For qualified religious persons who wish to join a faith community or religious body in Ireland.
• Long-Stay Volunteer Visa: For those who wish to volunteer in Ireland for at least three months and up to two years with an eligible organisation.
• Study Visa: For those who wish to study in Ireland on a course that lasts longer than three months. Additional requirements include proof of English/Irish language ability and private medical insurance.

Visa requirements for refugees

If you are a refugee and have been granted permission to live in Ireland, you are entitled to a 1951 Convention Travel Document. This allows you to travel outside of Ireland. With this document, you can travel to most countries in the EU without a visa and stay for up to 90 days. However, it is always worth checking with the embassy of the country you plan to travel to.

If you have a refugee travel document issued by a country outside of Ireland, you must apply for a visa to enter Ireland. This applies to holders of 1951 travel documents, who are required to be in possession of an Irish entry visa before travelling to the country. This is due to Ireland's temporary suspension of the European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees for a period of 12 months.

If you are a refugee travelling to Ireland, the type of visa you need depends on the purpose and length of your stay. If you are visiting Ireland as a tourist, you will need to apply for a Short Stay 'C' Tourist Visa. This is valid for less than 90 days. If you want to stay in Ireland for more than 3 months, you will need to apply for a long stay 'D' visa and, once in the country, register and get an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).

Visa requirements for UK citizens

British citizens do not need a visa or a passport to enter Ireland. However, some carriers and airlines may require proof of identification, and Irish immigration officers check the ID of all passengers arriving by air from the UK. Therefore, it is recommended that you carry your British passport or other proof of nationality when travelling to Ireland.

If you are travelling to Ireland with family members who are not UK or EEA citizens, they may need a visa to enter the country. A residency scheme is in place for family members of UK citizens who move to Ireland after 1 January 2021.

If you are a UK citizen, you have the right to live, work, and study in Ireland. You can also access the public healthcare system and vote in general elections (but not in Irish European elections, as UK citizens are no longer EU citizens).

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is an arrangement between the UK and Ireland that allows citizens of both countries to travel freely between the two countries. The CTA has been in place since 1922 and is recognised in the Treaty of Amsterdam. It is important to note that the CTA does not apply to goods or customs issues.

If you are planning to stay in Ireland for less than 3 months, you do not need to apply for a visa. However, if you wish to stay for more than 3 months, you will need to apply for a long-stay 'D' visa and register for an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).

Visa Waiver Programmes

There are a few visa waiver programmes that may be relevant for UK citizens travelling to Ireland:

• Short-Stay Visa Waiver Programme (SSVWP): Allows nationals of certain countries who have a short-term UK visa to travel to Ireland without a separate Irish visa. This includes citizens of India and China, who can use a single short-stay visa issued by either country under the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS).
• British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS): Allows visitors from China and India to travel freely within the CTA (excluding the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) using either an Irish or UK visa. BIVS visas are endorsed with 'BIVS'.

Frequently asked questions