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Can I travel to Ireland? The rules for travelling from the UK right now

By Sarah James

Ireland is part of the common travel area. This means that, even when there were Covid-related quarantine rules for international arrivals entering   England , Scotland , Wales or Northern Ireland in place, those travelling from Ireland to the UK didn’t have to quarantine on arrival. 

Since Sunday 6 March 2022, if you are travelling to Ireland, you do not need to show any proof of vaccination or proof of recovery. You do not need to show proof of negative test or Irish passenger locator form receipt regardless of your vaccination status and are not required to quarantine or test on arrival.

So what impact does this have on holidays to Ireland right now? Here’s everything you need to know about visiting at the moment.

Is it legal to travel to Ireland?

Yes. UK residents have been legally allowed to travel for leisure to certain places from Monday 17 May, and from Monday 19 July Ireland has allowed British and US travellers, as well as EU visitors, into the country. Any UK travellers may enter Ireland without proving their vaccination status or presenting a negative test.

What are the entry requirements for Ireland?

There are no entry requirements related to coronavirus in Ireland or Northern Ireland at the time of writing (Monday 14 March 2022).

What are the lockdown restrictions in Ireland?

Since Monday 19 July, international travel has been permitted for Irish citizens and residents. Theatres and cinemas are open, as are galleries, museums, bars, cafés, restaurants, hotels, B&Bs and self-catered rentals.

What if I’m travelling from Northern Ireland?

There are no restrictions on travel to or from Northern Ireland into Ireland.

Note: It's always a good idea to check official government entry guidelines before booking or travelling anywhere, as well as to purchase travel insurance with Covid cover that is appropriate for your destination.

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Can I travel to Ireland from the UK? All the rules you need to know

Ireland has tightened its entry requirements for all visitors, article bookmarked.

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With countries around the world adjusting entry rules and travel testing requirements in the face of the omicron variant, Ireland has announced its own rule changes for visitors.

Those from Great Britain may still enter the country, but the required paperwork is set to increase.

The Irish government announced on 2 December that it would be requiring a negative test result from all travellers from abroad, regardless of vaccination status - with the change coming in from 5 December 2021.

Here’s everything we know so far.

What are the new rules?

From 5 December onwards, anyone entering Ireland from abroad must show a negative Covid test result on arrival.

Vaccinated travellers who had their second jab more than 14 days prior to arrival, and have their proof of vaccination with them, may present a result from either a PCR test (taken within the 72 hours beforehand) or an antigen test (taken within the 48 hours beforehand).

Unvaccinated travellers must take a PCR test within the 72 hours prior to arrival.

One exception is travellers from Northern Ireland who have not been outside Northern Ireland or Ireland for the 14 days prior to entry - visitors who meet this criteria do not need a passenger locator form, proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or test results upon arrival.

Children under 12 are also exempt from the test result requirement.

Test results must be from a professional-administered Covid test with results sent to travellers electronically, the rules specify, and, as with all other international travel, UK residents may not use free NHS tests.

All passengers must complete Ireland’s passenger locator form online within the 72 hours before travel.

This means the full checklist for visitors from outside the island of Ireland is as follows:

Vaccinated people aged 12 or over

Negative result from an antigen or PCR test

Proof of vaccination

Valid ID (passport or driver’s license accepted)

Unvaccinated or partly vaccinated people aged 12 or over

Negative result from a PCR test

Anyone who has been in one of seven named “scheduled states” - Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe - within the 14 days before arrival will be subject to further restrictions and testing, details of which can be found here .

From which date do I need to present a test?

The new rules kicked in from 00.01 on Sunday 5 December.

Arrivals from this time onward into Ireland must have their negative test result ready for checking at the border.

The government had announced that testing would be compulsory from 3 December onwards, but later announced that there was a 48-hour delay.

An Aer Lingus spokesperson told the Irish Examiner : “The Irish government notified airlines last night that the new Regulations will now have an operational date of 5 December and not 3 December as previously advised.

“We will implement accordingly.”

How long will the rules be in place?

Although the Irish government has not stamped the new rules with an end date, a spokesperson for Tourism Ireland told The Independent that the testing requirement will be in place for “an initial two week period and will be reviewed again then”.

Many governments are in the process of tightening travel restrictions to contain the spread of the omicron variant until more is known about its potential impact, and the efficacy of vaccines on this type of Covid-19.

Assuming Ireland is taking a similar approach, it is likely that they will review testing rules within a month or so, once more is known about the variant.

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Visas and passports

Here's what you need to know about Ireland’s visa and passport requirements.

Ireland’s visa and passport requirements vary for different nationalities so check with your local embassy or consulate before you travel

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Most people need a valid passport to enter the Republic or Northern Ireland but there are some exceptions:

• If you're a UK citizen, you can also use official photo identification.
• If you're an EU citizen, you can use your national identity card to travel throughout the island of Ireland (including Northern Ireland), as long as you are arriving and exiting the island via an airport or ferry port in the Republic of Ireland. If you’re travelling direct to Northern Ireland from the EU or travelling on to Great Britain from Northern Ireland, you’ll need a passport. 

Air and sea carriers require some form of photo identification (usually either a passport or driving licence), so ALWAYS check what form of ID is required with your individual airline, ferry company or travel agent before travelling.

While e-passports are commonly used now, you don't need one to enter Ireland.

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Whether you need a visa to enter Ireland depends on your citizenship.

Currently, if you’re a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA) member state (27 countries of the European Union, together with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and many other countries including Great Britain, the USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, you don’t need a visa to visit the Republic or Northern Ireland. South African visitors can visit the Republic of Ireland without a visa, but need a UK visa in order to enter Northern Ireland. Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs has a full list of countries whose citizens do NOT need a visa to visit Ireland .

If your country is not on this list, contact your local Irish embassy/consulate before you travel to find out your visa requirements. If you’re planning on travelling to Northern Ireland, contact your local British embassy/high commission or consular office.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme and travel to Northern Ireland

The UK is launching an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme – an ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK, including Northern Ireland, and also travel to Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland. However, British and Irish nationals, and eligible residents of Ireland, will NOT require an ETA to travel within the Common Travel Area. For further information, please visit the UK Government website.

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)

Getting to Ireland from Great Britain after the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is introduced will be as easy as ever. Thanks to the Common Travel Area, visitors from Great Britain will not need an ETIAS to travel to Ireland.

Short-Stay Visa Waiver Scheme

This scheme allows visitors from certain countries who have a valid UK visit visa to also visit Ireland without the need for an Irish visa. The scheme is valid until October 31st, 2026 and you can get a list of participating countries from the Irish Immigration Service.

Work and Student Visas

Wondering about a working holiday in the Republic of Ireland? You can talk to your local Irish embassy or consulate about a Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA). And if you’re interested in studying in Ireland, you can find out more from INIS. If you want to work or study in Northern Ireland, contact UK Visas and Immigrations.

Useful links

1. Department of Foreign Affairs

The Irish government website gives information on visas and passports, and contact details for embassies.

2. Citizens Information Board

Ireland's statutory body is a great source of information about what you need to travel to Ireland.

NI Direct: Visas

This is where you will find information and advice on visa requirements for Northern Ireland.

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Can I travel to Ireland from the UK? How restrictions are easing on 19 July – and entry requirements explained

Ireland opened its borders to international visitors on 19 july and is a great option for a summer holiday. here's all you need to know about travelling there.

A holiday to Ireland could be a great bet for a hassle-free summer trip this year, after the country opened to international visitors on Monday 19 July, including travellers from the UK.

Fully vaccinated travellers can now bypass the requirement to self-isolate for 14 days and will no longer be required to present results of a negative Covid test upon arrival.

Giving relief to families, many of whom will be travelling to reunite with friends and loved ones, the requirement for children over the age of six to be tested has been scrapped and replaced with a new rule for children aged 12 and over.

Children under the age of 18 will be able to enter the country freely, with no need to quarantine so long as they are arriving alongside a vaccinated parent or guardian.

And because Ireland is part of the Common Travel Area, it is exempt from the UK’s traffic-light system, meaning there is no risk of having to self-isolate or test for travellers returning home.

Here’s everything you need to know about travelling to Ireland this summer.

Which test must children take to enter Ireland?

Children between the ages of 12 and 17 are required to provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival, or valid proof of vaccination or recovery.

Children under the age of 12 do not need to take a test.

Can unvaccinated travellers present a negative test to avoid quarantine?

No. The only unvaccinated visitors who can avoid self-quarantining for 14 days on arrival are children under the age of 18 who are accompanied by a parent or guardian who has been vaccinated. If you are over 18, you must be double-jabbed to visit Ireland without the need to self-isolate. Unvaccinated visitors must also undergo mandatory post-arrival testing.

I’m not vaccinated and want to visit Ireland with my children. Will they also have to self-isolate?

Yes, only children accompanied by vaccinated adults are exempt from the requirement to self-isolate.

How do I prove my vaccination status?

Visitors from the UK must have had their second dose no less than 14 days before arrival.

Ireland will accept proof of vaccination displayed on the NHS app or an NHS letter for visitors from England and Wales, while for visitors from Northern Ireland and Scotland an NHS letter will suffice.

Is anything else required for entry?

All travellers to Ireland must fill out a Passenger Locator Form online which will be checked by their air or sea carrier before departure.

What Covid restrictions are in place in Ireland?

Ireland is under a stricter lockdown than many other countries in Europe.

Tourists wanting to order a pint of Guinness in a cosy pub may be disappointed to discover that restaurants and bars are still closed for indoor service. Service outdoors is still limited to groups of six people.

The only exception is when staying in a hotel, B&B, self-catering or hostel, where overnight guests are permitted to eat and drink at an indoor restaurant and bar

All retail and shops are open, as are cinemas, theatres, galleries, museums, libraries and other cultural attractions.

Outdoor activities that are popular with holidaymakers such as golf courses, tennis courts, zoos, theme parks and heritage sites have reopened.

Is it better to wait for Ireland’s restrictions to end before visiting?

Some visitors might want to wait until restrictions on indoor service in bars and restaurants have loosened. This is due to happen at the end of July once new laws are approved to allow for the change.

Under the new rules, customers will need to show proof that they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from a Covid infection to eat or drink indoors.

The Irish government has said that EU vaccine passports will be accepted as proof of vaccination status but have not yet revealed how tourists from non-EU nations such as the UK could prove their vaccine status to enter pubs and restaurants.

Alternatively, visitors may wish to wait until a further easing of restrictions, due on 10 August and laid out as part of the Irish government’s roadmap to ease Covid restrictions.

The current plan states that restrictions will be loosened for “larger social gatherings” and that there will be a “further easing of restrictions on high risk retail services” on that date.

What is Ireland’s traffic-light status?

Ireland is not in the traffic-light system. Along with the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, it is part of the Common Travel Area. This means that there are no requirements to take a Covid test or quarantine on arrival in the UK.

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Brexit and Ireland

Introduction, the withdrawal agreement, transition period and the trade and cooperation agreement, the protocol on ireland and northern ireland, effects of brexit, further information.

On 23 June 2016, the United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave the European Union (EU) in a referendum.

The UK left the European Union at 11:00 pm on 31 January 2020. The UK was then in a transition period until 31 December 2020.

Despite the UK’s departure from the European Union, Ireland and the UK remain in a Common Travel Area, which gives residency and travel rights (among other things) to Irish citizens in the UK, and British citizens in Ireland. You can read more about ‘ Residence rights of UK citizens in Ireland .

The Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK was published in October 2019.

The Withdrawal Agreement is one of the main documents governing the relationship between the EU and the UK, but it does not resolve all of the issues between the EU and the UK.

The transition period was put in place to allow agreements to be reached between the EU and the UK without major disruption. It finished at the end of 2020.

A Trade and Cooperation Agreement was agreed between the EU and the UK and entered into force on 1 May 2021. This governs some of the matters which were previously dealt with under EU law such as trade in goods.

The UK’s only land border with the EU is the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. When the UK voted to leave the EU, it was not clear how this border would work.

As a result, a Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland was included in the Withdrawal Agreement. The purpose of the Protocol was to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, in a way that would protect the Good Friday Agreement and the EU single market.

Under the Protocol:

• The Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK continues to be recognised along with the rights it grants to Irish and British citizens
• Goods moving between Ireland and Northern Ireland do not have any customs, tariffs, or other restrictions placed on them
• Goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK need additional paperwork and checks
• Some EU laws continue to apply to Northern Ireland

The use of the Protocol is up to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Every 4 years after the end of the transition period, the Assembly can vote on whether it wants EU law to continue on things like customs, duties and regulations.

If they vote to end any part of the Protocol, the decision will come into effect 2 years later.

Windsor Framework

In February 2023, the UK Government and the EU agreed the Windsor Framework . The Windsor Framework changed some aspects of the Protocol. The Framework was formally adopted on 25 March 2023.

From September 2023, many goods travelling to Northern Ireland from Great Britain have reduced checks, and a simpler process for goods has been introduced. Goods going to Ireland and shipped through Northern Ireland still have to meet all EU customs and import rules.

Some EU law continues to apply to Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Assembly can trigger a Petition of Concern (also called the ‘Stormont Brake') to pause any new EU laws that would have a serious effect on the people of Northern Ireland.

Article 16 of the Protocol

Article 16 allows either the EU or the UK to take ‘safeguard measures’ if the Protocol leads to serious and persistent economic, social or environmental difficulties. If the EU or UK take safeguard measures (commonly called ‘invoking Article 16’), the other party could decide to implement ‘rebalancing measures’ to counteract the effect of the change.

British citizens living in Ireland

British citizens continue to have the right to live and work in Ireland as part of the Common Travel Area . Family members of British citizens who are not themselves either British, EEA or Swiss citizens, must apply for residency. You can read about residence rights of UK citizens .

Irish citizens living in the UK

If you are an Irish citizen and you want to continue living in the UK, you do not need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme . Your rights to live, work and access public services in the UK are still in place under the Common Travel Area arrangement. However, even though you do not need to apply to the scheme, your family members from outside of the UK and Ireland will need to apply .

Non-Irish EU citizens living in the UK

The UK set up an EU Settlement Scheme, under which EU citizens and their family members living in the UK could apply to continue living there after 30 June 2021.

EU citizens (except for Irish citizens) and their family members living in the UK had to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme for settled status if they wish to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021. If you did not have 5 years’ continuous residence in the UK, you got pre-settled status instead.

• Settled status means that you can live in the UK for as long as you want. You will have access to public funds and services (if you are eligible) and you can apply for British citizenship. Any children born in the UK after you get settled status will automatically be British citizens.
• Pre-settled status means that you can live in the UK for a further 5 years. When you have had 5 years’ continuous residence, you can then apply to change to settled status. You must do this before your pre-settled status expires.

The deadline for most people applying was 30 June 2021. Some people can apply after this date .

You can get more information on applying for settled status in the UK, and the details of the EU Settlement Scheme on gov.uk.

Frontier workers

A frontier worker (also called a cross border worker) is a person who lives in one country, but works in another country. For instance, if you live in the Republic of Ireland and work in Northern Ireland, you are a frontier worker .

Irish citizens do not have to apply for a UK Frontier Work Permit but can still apply. The entitlements of Irish citizens to live, work and to access other benefits in the UK are protected by the Common Travel Area .

Other EEA and Swiss citizens who live in Ireland but worked in Northern Ireland (or another part of the UK) needed to apply for the UK’s Frontier Workers Permit Scheme to continue working there after 1 July 2021. If you started working in Northern Ireland for the first time after the end of 2020, you must apply through the UK Points Based Immigration System .

If you are a British citizen living in Northern Ireland and working in the Republic, you do not need documentation. The Irish Department of Justice can give you documentation if you request it. You can make a request by emailing [email protected] , stating ‘frontier worker’ in the subject line.

Social security

The current arrangements for social security between Ireland and the UK have not changed. All social welfare payments made by the Department of Social Protection, including pensions and Child Benefit, continue to be paid as normal. Social security arrangements between the UK and the EU27 are also unchanged at present.

Cross border healthcare

You can no longer use the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive to access healthcare in the UK.

The Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme allows you to get healthcare in Northern Ireland in a similar way to the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive. The healthcare must be publicly available in Ireland. You must pay for the healthcare and then claim the cost from the HSE.

The Scheme is available until a permanent statutory scheme is approved. Residents of Northern Ireland could access healthcare in Ireland under the Republic of Ireland Reimbursement Scheme .

If you started your healthcare in the UK and began to receive that healthcare before 2021, you may still be able to apply for reimbursement under the Cross- Border Healthcare Directive until this scheme closed in September 2022.

Data protection

Before the end of the transition period, any personal information received by a company or organisation in the UK from companies and administrations in other member states was covered by the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

Personal information can still be transferred from the EU to the UK based on a formal decision (called an adequacy decision) made by the European Commission on 28 June 2021. That adequacy decision will remain in place for 4 years unless the UK makes changes to its data protection legislation.

Consumer Rights

From 1 January 2021, you should be aware of the following changes:

• Additional import charges and Value Added Tax (VAT) apply when you buy from websites in the UK (depending on the value of the items and where the product is manufactured)
• EU consumer protection legislation may no longer apply, instead your consumer rights will be set down in UK law
• It may be more difficult to resolve a dispute with a UK business

You can read about Buying online from the UK after Brexit .

Recognition of UK divorces

The Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2020 (pdf) provides for the continued recognition in Ireland of most divorces, legal separations and marriage annulments granted in the UK.

Status of driver licences

You can continue to drive on a UK driving licence in Ireland if you live in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and are visiting Ireland. If you live in Ireland, you cannot drive on a UK driving licence. You should exchange your licence for an Irish licence.

Extradition to and from the UK

The prior European Arrest Warrant regime no longer applies to the UK in its current form.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement includes similar extradition rules and procedures to the European Arrest Warrant regime and these rules continue to allow extradition to Ireland from the UK and vice versa. These rules apply to extradition requests made after 11pm on 31 December 2020 and any requests before this date where the person sought had not been arrested at that time.

You can find further information on dfa.ie about Brexit. Read about the Background to Brexit .

There is guidance for UK nationals about living and travelling in the EU on gov.uk.

Related documents

• Residence rights of EU citizens and their families in Ireland EEA nationals have the right to travel to Ireland and do not require a residence permit to remain here. There are however some limits on these rights. 1960.6093
• Buying online from the UK after Brexit Find out about changes to your consumer rights when buying online from the UK after Brexit. 1788.708
• Studying in the UK including Northern Ireland Many people leave to study in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the UK where there are different application procedures and fees. 1762.6168
• PPS numbers for returning Irish emigrants and their families Find your existing PPS number or apply for a new PPS number when returning home to Ireland. You can also apply for a PPS number for a child born abroad. 1739.4784

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre .

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Taking the train in Ireland – what you need to know

Apr 19, 2024 • 11 min read

A train travels along the Rosslare, Wexford to Dublin line in Ireland © Irish Rail

Traveling by train is one of Ireland ’s great, if under-appreciated, pleasures.

It’s a small island and the rail network is limited, so no journey is especially long – but riding the rails across the country is one of the loveliest ways to enjoy the rolling countryside.

Compared to its European counterparts, Irish trains aren’t especially spectacular, but this is a country that doesn’t need high-speed or sleeper trains: you roll along at a maximum of 160km/h (99mph) and before you know it you’re on the other side of the island.

The particular nature of Irish demographics has shaped train travel in Ireland: with around a quarter of the population clustered in the greater Dublin region, it makes sense that most train journeys begin or end in the capital. In Northern Ireland the same is true of Belfast .

Irish trains might not be especially quick or super luxurious, but they’re an efficient and eco-friendly way of exploring the island – so long as your explorations are focused on the major cities and towns. Here is our essential guide to train travel in Ireland.

The lowdown on rail travel in Ireland

Irish trains are efficient, relatively frequent and usually on time.  Irish Rail/Iarnród Éireann operates the entire network of trains in the Republic, from intercity trains linking the major urban centers to the busy commuter network that services the greater Dublin region.

There are two main lines into the west and three into the south and southwest; spurs off the main lines connect to a host of smaller towns throughout the country. There’s also a line to Belfast, from where  Translink services connect the city with the Antrim Coast and Derry (Londonderry) .

Within the greater Dublin region, a network of commuter services connects the capital with a host of suburbs and dormitory towns in the surrounding counties. Dublin’s coastline between the northside suburbs of Howth and Malahide, and Greystones in County Wicklow is served by DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) trains.

There are some notable gaps in the country’s rail network, with no services in counties Donegal , Monaghan and Cavan , and no trains into West Cork . Some towns – like Buttevant in Cork or Annacotty in Limerick – are on the rail line but they’re bypassed as they have no functioning station.

Ireland’s bigger train stations – including Cork , Limerick , Galway , Sligo, Belfast and the two in Dublin – are all pretty well stocked when it comes to picking up supplies and other assorted sundries for your journey. Most other stations will have a small shop.

Train tickets are relatively good value

The good news about traveling by train in Ireland is that it is relatively inexpensive compared to train travel in some places, such as the UK, for example. If you buy it online, a standard one-way fare between Dublin Heuston and Kent Station in Cork costs €30–35, and around €55 in first class.

Online is the best place to buy your tickets for train travel in the Irish Republic. Not only do you get the best fares (with savings of up to 50% compared to buying the ticket at the station), but you can purchase your ticket up to 90 days in advance and reserve a seat when you do.

You have the option of collecting your bought ticket from a machine at the station as you’re boarding, or downloading a QR code at the point of purchase. If you wait to buy your ticket at the station, you’ll pay significantly more and have to get there early to queue up at the ticket kiosk.

For travel in Northern Ireland, you’re better off buying the ticket at the station as only a limited number of tickets are available online. Show up a short time before your intended departure time and just buy your ticket there.

Only a handful of services offer first class, but upgrading is relatively inexpensive. On average, expect to pay around €20–25 more to sit in first. There are three kinds of first class service on Irish trains. CityGold is on direct Dublin to Cork services, and includes an onboard host and a complimentary newspaper on selected early morning services. The Enterprise service between Dublin and Belfast offers the same, plus a fine breakfast. Premier Class is similar, but is only available on direct services between Dublin and Tralee and some Dublin to Cork trains.

Some discounts and offers apply

There are discounted fares for children and young adults aged between 19 and 25, as long as they have a valid discount card. Under fives and those aged 66 and over travel for free.

The commuter network in the Greater Dublin area has a fare cap of €6 for travel between the capital and a host of towns in the surrounding counties.

There are two rail passes aimed at visitors. The Trekker Four Day (€88) offers unlimited travel for adults on all Irish Rail services on four consecutive days from the date of issue. The Explorer (adult/child €128/64) provides five days of travel on all services in a 15-day window.

However, before investing in either, be sure that you plan on making the most out of it. The limited rail network means that connections are limited and traveling between some destinations involves backtracking: Cork and Waterford are both on the south coast, but to get from one to the other means travelling to Limerick, while Sligo and Westport are only 140km (87 miles) apart along the west coast, but to go between them by train you’ll have to travel through Dublin – which is on the other side of the country.

In Northern Ireland, the Sunday Fun Day Tracker ticket gives passengers unlimited train travel on a Sunday for £9 (£4.50 for children). Tickets are available from all ticket offices, the mLink ticketing app and from the conductor on the train.

These are the busiest times to travel by train

Unsurprisingly, peak times for train travel coincide with busy rush hour periods. Early morning services to Dublin from cities including Cork, Galway and Limerick can be busy, especially if the train is due to arrive in Dublin around the start of the working day. Friday evening trains departing Dublin can also be quite busy. However, as online bookings also include the option of booking a seat, you’ll never have to stand.

The commuter network is busiest on weekdays from 7am to 9am and from 4:30pm to 6:30pm as thousands of people travel in and out of work. You can’t prebook seats on these services, so plenty of people do end up standing. Keep an eye out on changing schedules, especially for weekend and holiday travel, as frequencies diminish.

The train network is limited, but it has some benefits over road travel

There are no rail links to any Irish airport, which means you’re relying on taxis, private cars or buses once you arrive in the country. Irish ferry ports are better connected to rail lines, however, and you can catch trains in Rosslare, Dublin and Larne; there is no rail link to Belfast Port.

If you want to reach the more remote corners of the island, then the Irish rail network is quite limited, and a car will give you the flexibility you need. However, rental fees can be very expensive and fuel is another considerable cost, with the price of unleaded and diesel hovering between €1.75 and €2 a liter. Parking is also pricey in all urban centers, especially Dublin.

Traveling by bus is the cheapest way to get around, but it can be a slow business, as most make lots of stops along the way. There are some direct express services, but they are at the mercy of traffic, which can also add considerable time to a journey compared to traveling by train. Plus, buses don’t have bathrooms, with those traveling longer distances relying entirely on rest stops.

On board facilities vary depending on the type of train

There are two kinds of Irish trains: InterCity and commuter. InterCity trains are all the same – relatively modern with comfortable seats in standard class and fancier recliners in first – and they travel at speeds of up to 160km/h (99mph). There’s no journey in Ireland that is longer than 2½ to 3 hours. Commuter trains are slightly older, with less comfortable seats; older trains are used on some small-distance spur lines in rural areas and are very basic (facilities include seats and a toilet).

While Ireland’s flagship service is the one between Dublin and Cork, the fanciest train is the Enterprise service between Dublin Connolly and Belfast Lanyon Place, which is a joint venture between Irish Rail and Translink. This train is on a par with most services you’ll find in mainland Europe and first class is the most luxurious of any in the country.

All InterCity trains have three-pin sockets at every row where you can plug in a charger or a laptop. Most commuter trains in the greater Dublin area also have sockets. All trains have toilets and there is a cross-network wi-fi service operated by Irish Rail, but it is patchy and inconsistent. Translink has its own wi-fi network, which is accessible on all bus and rail services in the north, but, like in the Republic, you’re at the mercy of signal strength and contention levels.

Food options are pretty limited. There is a trolley service on the Dublin to Cork service, while the Enterprise between Dublin and Belfast operates a full service menu in a dedicated dining car; first class passengers also get a pretty good breakfast as part of their ticket.

Some trains on the Dublin to Cork route have a “quiet carriage” (usually Carriage G, marked in purple when booking) where the use of phones is prohibited and passengers are encouraged to keep noise levels down.

You can bring a bike on any Irish Rail train for free, although there are some restrictions during busy periods (such as sporting fixtures and concerts). The Dublin to Cork line is the only one to have a dedicated bike storage area; all other InterCity trains have (very) limited bicycle spaces within the passenger compartment – it’s not unusual for only two bikes to be allowed into the compartment, so be sure to book in advance. Bikes are not allowed on commuter and DART services during peak hours – before 10am and from 3:30pm to 7pm Monday to Friday.

There are many scenic train routes: here are the best

No matter where you are in Ireland you’re going to find a beautiful landscape or two, but some journeys are worth keeping your eyes wide open for.

Dublin to Sligo

Once you’ve gone past the huge suburban sprawl of the greater Dublin area, the landscapes get quite gentle; beyond Mullingar the train skirts alongside the edge of beautiful Lough Owel. For the best views, sit on the left-hand side of the train.

Dublin to Belfast

The Enterprise service is the best in the country, with the most comfortable seats and the best food options – especially in first class. The train skirts alongside the Irish Sea between Malahide and Balbriggan, so be sure to sit on that side as you travel (on the right-hand side if you’re traveling to Belfast).

Derry (Londonderry) to Coleraine

The Translink service between Northern Ireland’s second city and Coleraine is a stunner, a 40-minute journey along the Causeway Coast that comes with beautiful beaches, huge cliffs and unimpeded views out over the North Sea.

Downpatrick to Inch Abbey

It’s only a 10-minute journey, but the trip from Downpatrick in County Down to the monastic ruins of Inch Abbey takes place in a vintage steam train (or a 1960s diesel train) that chugs its way along the line, over the River Quoile and past the drumlin-specked landscape.

Cork to Cobh

One of Ireland’s most scenic trips is the 25-minute trip from Cork City to the seaside town of Cobh , which takes you along the river (sit on the right for the best views), past marshy Harper’s Island and over the bridges on Lough Mahon and the Slatty Water. You can always stop off at Fota and visit the  wildlife park  there.

Book in advance for wheelchair access to trains

All InterCity services are nominally accessible, but if you do need assistance you will need to book it in advance so that suitable arrangements can be made. This usually means that a conductor will have a ramp ready for wheelchair access, but we have also heard plenty of anecdotal evidence of staff simply lifting a wheelchair onto a train, which depending on the individual can either be a help or an annoying hindrance. Whatever you do, make sure to communicate your requirements before you travel as assistance is not guaranteed otherwise.

For passengers with learning difficulties or any issue where there may be a challenge with communication (such as autism) Irish Rail staff are trained to recognize visual cue cards such as the  JAM card , which inform the interlocutor of the holder’s condition. JAM cards are available online or at mainline train stations in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Sligo.

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Sunday, April 28, 2024 2:28 pm (Paris)

• International
• Immigration

Ireland plans to send asylum seekers back to UK

The prime minister wants to use an emergency law to reduce arrivals through Northern Ireland amid concern that Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda plan is driving people to Ireland.

Le Monde with AFP

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Ireland is looking to amend the law to allow the return of asylum seekers to the United Kingdom, broadcaster RTE said on Sunday, April 28, after an influx over the border with Northern Ireland.

Dublin's Minister of Justice Helen McEntee, who visits London on Monday, told a parliamentary committee this week that she estimates 80% of those applying for asylum in the republic came over the land border with Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told Sky News it was evidence that London's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is acting as a deterrent. "What it shows, I think, is that the deterrent is... already having an impact because people are worried about coming here," he said.

In response, a spokesperson for Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris said the leader "does not comment on the migration policies of any other country but he is very clear about the importance of protecting the integrity of the migration system in Ireland," RTE reported. "Ireland has a rules-based system that must always be applied firmly and fairly.

The spokesperson added that the Irish PM had asked his justice minister "to bring proposals to Cabinet next week to amend existing law regarding the designation of safe 'third countries' and allowing the return of inadmissible International Protection applicants to the UK."

McEntee is expected to discuss a new returns policy when she meets UK interior minister James Cleverly in London on Monday.

The UK's Rwanda bill cleared its final parliamentary hurdle last Monday after a marathon tussle between the upper and lower chambers of parliament. Sunak hopes the bill will prevent asylum seekers from trying to enter the UK on small boats over the Channel from northern Europe.

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Ireland says UK's Rwanda policy drives migrants over its border

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Reporting by Graham Fahy; Editing by Kate Holton

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Sunak: Migrants going to Ireland shows Rwanda plan’s deterrent effect working

The Irish government claimed the UK’s asylum policy was causing an influx of migrants into the Republic.

Rishi Sunak said claims the Rwanda plan is causing an influx of migrants into Ireland show its deterrent effect is working.

“The deterrent is … already having an impact because people are worried about coming here,” the Prime Minister said.

The Irish government is to consider legislative proposals next week on returning asylum seekers who have travelled from the UK.

It comes after deputy Irish premier Micheal Martin said the UK’s asylum policy is driving migrants in fear of being deported to Rwanda across the border from Northern Ireland into the Republic.

Mr Sunak said others now recognised a “meaningful deterrent” is key to curbing illegal migration and celebrated that “now even top parties in the EU are following our lead”, after EU conservatives backed a policy of forcing people claiming asylum in the EU to settle outside the union.

UK ministers plan to send asylum seekers coming to the UK on a one-way flight to the east African nation, with the aim of deterring others from crossing the English Channel on small boats.

The legislation ensuring the plan is legally sound, the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act, cleared its passage through Parliament this week and was signed into law on Thursday.

In an interview with Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, which will air in full on Sunday, the Prime Minister was challenged over whether the UK is simply exporting the problem.

Mr Sunak said: “My focus is on the United Kingdom and securing our borders.

“But what that comment illustrates is a couple of things.

“One, that illegal migration is a global challenge, which is why you’re seeing multiple countries talk about doing third country partnerships, looking at novel ways to solve this problem, and I believe will follow where the UK has led.

“But what it also shows, I think, is that the deterrent is, according to your comment, already having an impact because people are worried about coming here and that demonstrates exactly what I’m saying.

“If people come to our country illegally, but know that they won’t be able to stay, they’re much less likely to come, and that’s why the Rwanda scheme is so important.”

Downing Street on Friday rebuffed claims the Rwanda plan was already influencing movements into Ireland, saying it was too early to jump to conclusions on its impact.

Mr Martin, who also serves as Ireland’s foreign affairs minister, told reporters in Dublin on Friday: “Clearly, we’ve had an increase in the numbers coming into Northern Ireland into the Republic. And it’s fairly obvious that a Rwanda policy, if you’re a person in a given situation in the UK and well, then you don’t want to go to Rwanda – not that anybody has gone yet, I hasten to add.

“So I think it’s a fair comment of mine. There are many other issues – it’s not in any way trying to blame anything or anything like that.”

But a No 10 spokeswoman told journalists in Westminster: “It is too early to jump to specific conclusions about the impact of the Act and treaty in terms of migrant behaviour.

“Of course, we will monitor this very closely and we already work very closely as you would expect with the Irish government, including on matters relating to asylum.”

In the Mail on Sunday, the Prime Minister wrote: “I said when I first became Prime Minister that others would recognise a meaningful deterrent is the only way to stop the boats and now even top parties in the EU are following our lead.”

It comes after European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s centre-right European People’s Party manifesto for June’s EU elections proposed a UK-style asylum plan under which “anyone applying for asylum in the EU could also be transferred to a safe third country and undergo the asylum process there”.

Mr Sunak this week acknowledged it could still take 10 to 12 weeks to get flights to Rwanda in the air, in a blow to his earlier target of seeing this take place in the spring of this year.

A spokesman for Irish premier Simon Harris said he is “very clear about the importance of protecting the integrity” of Ireland’s migration system.

“Ireland has a rules-based system that must always be applied firmly and fairly.

“In that context, the Taoiseach has asked the Minister for Justice to bring proposals to Cabinet next week to amend existing law regarding the designation of safe ‘third countries’ and allowing the return of inadmissible international protection applicants to the UK.

“This is one of a number of measures we are taking to strengthen our system and ensure that it is strong, effective and agile. Rules and the integrity of our migration system will be to the fore of our actions.”

Irish ministers earlier this week suggested there had been a rise in the number of migrants crossing the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Justice minister Helen McEntee told a committee of the Irish Parliament the number was now “higher than 80%” crossing from Northern Ireland.

She said that she would be legislating to respond to a High Court decision on returning people to the UK and would meet Home Secretary James Cleverly next week.

“What is clear in the decision that the UK have taken in choosing Brexit, they have actually seen an increase in people seeking asylum in their country. The way that they deal with that, it’s their policy,” she told RTE on Saturday.

“My focus as Minister for Justice is making sure that we have an effective immigration structure and system.

“That’s why I’m introducing fast processing. That’s why I’ll have emergency legislation at Cabinet this week to make sure that we can effectively return people to the UK.”

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Rwanda Bill causing migrants to head for Ireland instead of UK, deputy PM says

It comes at a time when tension over immigration levels is high in Ireland, with the country experiencing a housing crisis.

Friday 26 April 2024 09:38, UK

The threat of deportation to Rwanda is causing migrants to head for Ireland instead of the UK, Ireland's deputy prime minister has said.

The Rwanda Bill, which will see asylum seekers "entering the UK illegally" sent to the central African nation - regardless of the outcome of their application - was passed on Tuesday , despite human rights concerns.

Micheal Martin told The Daily Telegraph that the policy was already affecting Ireland, as people were "fearful" of staying in the UK.

The former Taoiseach said: "Maybe that's the impact it was designed to have."

Mr Martin, who is also Ireland's foreign secretary, said asylum seekers were seeking "to get sanctuary here and within the European Union as opposed to the potential of being deported to Rwanda".

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

His words follow those of justice minister Helen McEntee, who told a scrutiny committee in the Irish parliament earlier this week that migrants and refugees were crossing the border with Northern Ireland.

Ms McEntee said "higher than 80%" of people seeking asylum in Ireland entered the country through Northern Ireland, a border crossing that is open as guaranteed under a UK-EU Brexit treaty.

More on Ireland

Ireland pledging emergency legislation to send asylum seekers back to UK in wake of Rwanda bill being passed

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It comes amid increasing tension over immigration levels in Ireland, which is grappling with a housing crisis that has affected its own people as well as asylum seekers.

Overnight, six people were arrested during a protest at a site earmarked to house asylum seekers in Newtownmountkennedy in Co Wicklow.

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Gardai said officers came under attack after workers were brought onto the site, suffering "verbal and physical abuse throughout the day, which escalated into rocks and other missiles being thrown this evening".

Fires were lit, an axe was found and officers were "forced to defend themselves" with incapacitant spray, helmets and shields.

Read more from Sky News: Anger as Venice begins charging visitors to enter city Dozens of whales die after 160 stranded in Australia

Three patrol cars were also damaged.

Irish broadcaster RTE said protesters accused gardaí of using unnecessary force, and intimidating and aggressive tactics against a legitimate and peaceful protest.

According to RTE, there have been protests during the past six weeks at the site, known as Trudder House or River Lodge.

It is reportedly being considered as a site for 20 eight-person tents housing asylum seekers but some locals have said it is unsuitable and the village's resources are already over-stretched.

pic.twitter.com/jJbhmmdl6p — Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) April 25, 2024

Ms McEntee said there was "a lot of misinformation about migration at the moment".

She tweeted late on Thursday to promote the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which she described as "a real game changer" and "something we must opt into".

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UK minister appears to mix up Rwanda and Congo on Question Time

Chris Philp gets confused over neighbouring countries when discussing government’s Rwanda deportation policy

The policing minister, Chris Philp, appeared to confuse the countries of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on BBC Question Time on Thursday.

When discussing the government policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda , the MP for Croydon South responded to an audience member’s question during the BBC One programme by asking: “Rwanda is a different country of Congo, isn’t it?”.

An ally of Philp reportedly told the BBC Philp’s question had been rhetorical.

The audience member, who said he came from the DRC where there is fighting with neighbouring Rwanda, asked: “Had my family members come from Goma [a city on the country’s border] on a [Channel] crossing right now, would they then be sent back to the country they are supposedly warring – Rwanda?

“Does that make any sense to you?”

Philp replied: “No, I think there’s an exclusion on people from Rwanda being sent to Rwanda.”

After the audience member objected that his family were “not from Rwanda, they’re from Congo”, the Conservative MP asked: “Well, I mean, Rwanda is a different country of Congo isn’t it? It’s a different country?”

The comment caused a short outburst of laughter from some members of the debate programme’s audience and fellow panel member Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, darted his eyes around the room.

Philp continued: “There is a clause in the legislation that says if somebody would suffer – I think the phrase is ‘serious and irreversible harm’ – by being sent somewhere, they wouldn’t be sent.

“So there is that safety mechanism built into the legislation.”

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There has been a long history of violent conflict between the neighbouring countries.

The Rwanda bill became law on Thursday after being granted royal assent, paving the way for deportation flights to begin.

• Immigration and asylum
• Chris Philp
• Question Time
• Conservatives

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UK Rwanda policy is ‘kneejerk reaction’ to migration, says Ireland’s deputy PM

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• Entering and staying in the UK

Travelling to the UK from Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey or Jersey

Information for people travelling to the UK from Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, and information for people passing through the UK on the way to Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.

The Common Travel Area

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is made up of the UK, Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man).

For the UK, the CTA arrangements means that you won’t always go through UK immigration control when travelling to the UK from somewhere else in the CTA. This is different to when you come to the UK from outside of the CTA.

You will never go through immigration control at the land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

British and Irish citizens

Under the CTA arrangements , Irish citizens in the UK and British citizens in Ireland have the right to live, work, study, and access healthcare, social security and public services in each other’s countries without having to apply for permission.

Read more about what the CTA means for Irish citizens .

You don’t need to show your passport to a Border Force officer when travelling from Ireland to Great Britain. However, you may be asked to show a document that confirms your identity and nationality.

This could include:

• a valid passport or passport card (if you’re Irish)
• a copy of your passport or passport card with your identity and nationality clearly visible
• an expired passport or passport card, which Border Force are satisfied was issued to you originally
• evidence of having obtained British or Irish citizenship

This list is not exhaustive and other documents including providing more than one may be accepted. These are considered on a case by case basis by Border Force.

You will not pass through any immigration control when you enter the UK from Ireland across the land border, so you don’t need any documents to enter the UK on that route.

If you’re not a British or Irish citizen

There are different rules if you enter the UK from the CTA than if you enter the UK from a place outside the CTA. Usually, you don’t need to get permission to enter the UK if you are arriving from the CTA for a visit of up to 6 months.

However, there are exceptions to this. Some people need permission to enter the UK for a short visit wherever in the CTA they travel from. Other people only need permission if they’re travelling from Ireland.

If you enter the UK illegally from another part of the CTA, you may be removed from the UK.

People who need permission to enter the UK from anywhere within the CTA

For most people, there are different arrangements in place depending on whether you travel to the UK from Ireland or the Crown Dependencies .

You need to seek permission to enter the UK from anywhere in the CTA if:

• you are subject to a deportation order
• your exclusion has been deemed conducive to the public good
• you have previously been refused permission to enter the UK and haven’t, since the time you were refused permission, been granted permission to enter or remain in the UK or any of the Crown Dependencies

Travelling from Ireland to the UK

If you’re from an eea country or switzerland.

However, you may be asked to show your passport (which should be valid for the whole of your stay) or identity card to enter Great Britain when travelling from Ireland if you are encountered by Border Force.

You cannot use an EEA or Swiss national identity card to enter the UK, and can only use a valid passport, unless you:

• have settled or pre-settled status under the  EU Settlement Scheme , or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man’s settlement schemes
• have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man
• have a Frontier Worker permit
• are an S2 Healthcare Visitor
• are a Swiss national and have a Service Provider from Switzerland visa

Irish citizens can use a passport card.

If you’re waiting for a decision on your application for settled or pre-settled status

You can still use your EEA or Swiss national identity card to enter the UK if all of the following are true:

• you’ve applied for settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man’s settlement schemes
• you’ve been issued with confirmation your application is valid
• you’re not applying as a joining family member

If you’re not from an EEA country or Switzerland

However, you may be asked by Border Force to show your passport, which should be valid for the whole of your stay, to enter Great Britain.

Permission to enter requirements

If you have permission to enter or remain in the UK (for example if you have a UK visa) you do not need further permission to enter the UK from Ireland.

You only need to get permission to enter the UK when arriving from Ireland if:

• you arrived in Ireland from outside of the CTA and did not obtain immigration permission to enter Ireland
• you’re a visa national who doesn’t have a valid UK visa, or a visa granted under the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS)
• you entered Ireland unlawfully from outside the CTA
• you entered the UK or the Crown Dependencies unlawfully and went directly from there to Ireland
• your permission to enter or stay expired before you left the UK and since then you haven’t been given permission to enter or stay in the UK or any of the Crown Dependencies
• you are the subject of an international travel ban
• you were refused admission or subject to a removal decision under specific regulations - unless you were later given permission to enter or stay

In these situations, you must either apply for:

• a visa before you travel
• permission to enter from a Border Force (immigration) Officer at the UK border

You may not be able to get permission to enter the UK from a Border Force Officer if you enter the UK from the CTA. This is because there are usually no immigration controls on these journeys, and none on the land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

For more information on who needs permission to enter the UK from Ireland, see the guidance on arriving in the UK from within the CTA .

Use the check if you need a UK visa tool to find out if you need a visa and what type.

Visas issued by Ireland are not acceptable for travel to the UK except for visas issued under the British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) .

If you don’t need permission to enter the UK from Ireland

Some people automatically have permission to enter the UK when they arrive from Ireland. This permission is called ‘deemed leave’. You don’t need to apply for it. You won’t get a stamp in your passport showing deemed leave because you won’t necessarily meet a Border Force officer when travelling from Ireland to the UK.

You can enter on the basis of deemed leave when you either:

• enter Ireland from a country outside the CTA, and then travel on to the UK
• were in the UK with permission to stay for a limited time, went directly to Ireland and while you were in Ireland your permission expired, and you then came directly back to the UK

The length of time you can stay in the UK and the things you can do here on the basis of deemed leave are different depending on why you are entering the UK. If you don’t need to apply to enter the UK from Ireland, you can enter and stay in the UK on Article 4 deemed leave.

You can be in the UK for up to 6 months on your first visit from Ireland. This time starts from the date you entered the UK. You can prove the date you entered the UK by, for example, your ticket or boarding pass.

Your deemed leave ends when you leave the UK.

On following visits to the UK from Ireland, you can be in the UK for up to 2 months on the basis of deemed leave if you haven’t left the CTA since you were last in the UK.

You cannot do any paid or unpaid work if you’re in the UK on Article 4 deemed leave except for activities allowed under Appendix V: Visitor of the Immigration Rules .

If you want to come to the UK to do something that isn’t allowed under Article 4 deemed leave, you must apply for the relevant visa before you travel to the UK.

Use the check if you need a UK visa tool to find out which visa is right for what you want to do.

Other ways for non-visa nationals to enter the UK using deemed leave

You can also use deemed leave if you enter the UK from Ireland either:

• as an S2 healthcare visitor
• to do a permitted paid engagement

The rules of your deemed leave will be different depending on what you are coming to do.

Travelling to the UK for S2 healthcare treatment

S2 Healthcare Visitor arrangements apply to patients who applied before 11pm on 31 December 2020 to come to the UK for a course of planned healthcare treatment under the ‘S2 healthcare route’.

These arrangements also cover people who come with or join S2 Healthcare patients to support or care for them during their treatment.

See more information on S2 Healthcare Visitors including the documents you need .

If none of the exemptions apply to you and you enter the UK from Ireland with a valid S2 certificate you can enter and stay in the UK under Article 5 deemed leave. This is also true for anybody accompanying or joining you to provide care or support.

Under Article 5 deemed leave, you have permission to enter for 6 months, starting from the date you enter the UK from Ireland. You can prove this date, for example, with your travel ticket or boarding pass. This deemed leave ends when you leave the UK.

You cannot do any paid or unpaid work.

You can apply for permission to stay in the UK for another 6 months if treatment needs to continue. There’s no limit to the number of 6 month extensions you and your accompanying person can apply for, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

If you go from the UK to Ireland and then back to the UK without having left the CTA, you’ll automatically be able to stay in the UK for up to 6 months if you still have a valid S2 healthcare certificate. This permission will start from the date you return to the UK.

Irish citizens in the UK automatically have rights to enter and stay in the UK and don’t need deemed leave for healthcare purposes (except in a rare circumstances).

If you’re a visa national you must hold a visa issued under the S2 Healthcare Visitor route in the Immigration Rules before you get to the UK, including from Ireland.

See more information on the S2 Healthcare Visitor route .

Travelling to the UK for permitted paid engagements

If you are coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement from Ireland, you can stay in the UK on the basis of Article 6 deemed leave for up to one month.

Your deemed leave starts from the date you first enter the UK from Ireland. You can prove this date, for example, with your travel ticket or boarding pass. This deemed leave ends when you leave the UK.

On further visits to the UK you can only stay for up to 7 days on the basis of Article 6 deemed leave on each visit from Ireland, as long as you haven’t left the CTA in between visits to the UK.

If you want to use the longer deemed leave period given by Article 4 then you must first leave the CTA. You cannot switch between Article 4 and Article 6 deemed leave while still in the CTA.

You can do a different permitted paid engagement activity each time you visit the UK.

Your permitted paid engagement must:

• have been arranged before you travel to the UK
• be evidenced by a formal invitation
• relate to your area of expertise and occupation overseas

Travelling to the UK through Ireland under the Creative Worker visa concession

If you are travelling to the UK through Ireland under the Creative Worker visa concession you must apply for remote clearance at least 72 hours before you arrive in the UK.

Travelling between the Crown Dependencies and the UK

You don’t need a passport when travelling from the Crown Dependencies to the UK. However, you may need to show a Border Force officer document confirming your identity.

• a copy of your passport or passport card with your identity clearly visible
• a driving licence
• an armed forces identity card

This list is not exhaustive and other proof may be accepted. This will be considered on a case by case basis by Border Force.

You may also need to show that you have permission to enter the UK such as:

• a biometric residence permit
• proof of your digital status (or eVisa)
• a vignette in your passport
• confirmation of immigration permission from one of the Crown Dependencies

This list is not exhaustive and you may be able to confirm you have permission to enter the UK in another way. Your circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis by Border Force.

If you get permission to enter or stay in the UK, that permission and any conditions attached to it also apply in the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey (the Crown Dependencies). The same is true if the Crown Dependencies give you permission to enter or stay and you then travel to the UK.

You only need one UK visa if you plan to travel directly to the UK or any of the Crown Dependencies, or stop in any one of those places on the way to another.

Submit and pay for visa applications for permission to enter the Crown Dependencies in the same way as for the UK.

Travelling through the UK on your way to another part of the CTA

Even if you only enter the UK as part of your journey to Ireland or the Crown Dependencies you must still follow the UK’s immigration laws while you’re in the UK .

You must follow the immigration laws of whichever part of the CTA that you are in at the time. This includes visa requirements, restrictions on employment and length of stay.

Travelling to Ireland from the UK

Check travel advice for Ireland .

Added link to advice on travel to Ireland.

Updated section on 'Travelling to the UK through Ireland under the Creative Worker visa concession' to reflect that this concession is no longer available to sporting workers.

Updated information on use of ID cards to enter the UK if you're an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen.

Updated information for Irish citizens travelling to the UK from Ireland or the Crown Dependencies.

First published.

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