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Please be advised that this page has moved and this content is no longer being updated. Up-to-date information is now available at Ireland.ie/dfa/visas-for-ireland .

Visas for Ireland

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is warning of the existence of a fraudulent telephone phishing visa scam purporting to come from this Department seeking personal information and requesting significant cash amounts to process visas. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not seek funds additional to the typical fee when processing visas. You will find advice on phishing scams on the website of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission .  If you are a victim of such a crime report it to your local Garda Station and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service . January 2018

If you want to enter Ireland, you may need a visa. Find out more about getting a visa to come to Ireland .

In Ireland, the  Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service  (INIS) is primarily responsible for dealing with immigration and visa matters.

Requirements

Application, visa and documentation.

Whether you need a visa to enter Ireland depends on what country you're from, see Schedule 1.

S.I. No 473 of 2014  groups countries into five different categories (schedules).

Note : A Schengen visa or UK visa is not valid for travel to Ireland. For exceptions to this, please see Schedules 2 and 3 below.

Remember…

If you're a citizen of a non-EEA country, whether you need a visa or not, you will be subject to immigration control when you enter Ireland.

Schedule 1 - Check if you need an Irish visa

Find out what you need to enter Ireland based on your nationality on the INIS website .

Convention travel documents

If you hold Convention travel documents issued by certain EEA state, please refer to Section 3. (b) (i) of  S.I. No 473 of 2014  (short-stay visits only) or visit the INIS website for more information.

Schedule 2 - Visa waiver programme

Check if you meet Visa Waiver Programme requirements on the INIS website , if so you may  be able to travel on to Ireland from the UK without the need to obtain a separate Irish visa.

If not, you'll need to apply for an entry visa before you travel to Ireland.

Schedule 3 - British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS)

Check if you are eligible for this Scheme on the INIS website .

Schedule 4 - Transit Visas

Check if you will need to apply for a transit visa on the INIS website .

Submitting your application

Please ensure you have completed the correct application form and supplied all the required documentation. A full list of the different application forms and the necessary documents can be found on the INIS website .

The processing times for visa applications vary depending on the visa type and the Office to which the application is lodged. Visa applications are considered in as speedy a manner as possible but timeframes for decision can be dependent on a number of factors including, the number of applications received and the resources available to process them at any one time.

While the vast majority of applications are dealt with within a much shorter timeframe it is recommended that applicants allow as much time as possible when applying for a visa. Just in case further enquiries have to be made, we advise you to apply for your visa 8 weeks before the date you plan to travel.

NOTE: Applicants planning on a long term or permanent stay in Ireland, such as, in the case of joint family visa applications, should be aware that they will require more in-depth consideration than short-stay visa applications and it is recommended applicants make their applications 12 weeks prior to their proposed dates of travel.

You need to:

1. Complete the online application form  ( Guidance is available in several languages ) 2. Gather your supporting documentation, passport photograph and fee  3. The online application system will automatically request you to submit your documentation to one of the following:

• Your appropriate Irish Embassy or Consulate
• The dedicated Visa Offices in Abu Dhabi, Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow and New Delhi & Ankara
• Direct to INIS, Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland

If you submit false or misleading information in support of your application, it will result in the refusal of your visa application and may have a negative impact on any future applications made.

How long does it take?

If you’re applying for a business visa and it’s being processed in an Irish Embassy or Consulate, you should have a decision within 10 working days, provided all your documentation is in order.

Some categories of visa (eg Study, Visit or Join Family visas) can take longer, depending on the time of the year.

Tracking your application

Track your application by contacting the Embassy or Consulate to which it was submitted, quoting the reference number from your application.

If you sent your application to Dublin, you should contact INIS directly .

Notification

If you applied at an Embassy or Consulate, they will contact you once a decision has been made.

If you applied directly to INIS in Dublin, or if your application was referred to INIS for a decision, you can check the INIS Visa Decision Weekly Listing using your reference number.

Need more information?

Visit the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) website to find out what you need to know before you apply for a visa

If you’re in Ireland and want to apply for a re-entry visa or have other queries, contact the INIS Visa Section

What sort of Visa do I need?

A comprehensive list of the different visa types that are available, and the documentation required in respect of each, is available from the  INIS website .

For ease of reference, separate links for some of the most common visa types are set out below.

Travelling to Ireland as a tourist

If you are a Visa-required national and you would like to visit Ireland for a short period (90 days or less) you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Visit/Holiday Visa applications from  INIS .

For further information on tourism in Ireland please visit the website of  Tourism Ireland .

Travelling to Ireland as a Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens seeking to apply under Directive 2004/38/EC (Free Movement Directive)

Please refer to  INIS  for details and comprehensive information regarding these types of applications.

Travelling to Ireland on business

Business meeting.

If you are a Visa-required national and coming to Ireland for a business meeting you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Business Visa applications on  INIS .

If you are a Visa-required national and coming to Ireland for a conference, you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Conference Visa applications on  INIS .

Starting a Business in Ireland

If you are a Visa-required national and you wish to set up a business in Ireland, you will require Business Permission from the Department of Justice and Equality, prior to applying for your visa. Find more information on the  INIS website .

Studying in Ireland

If you require an entry visa for Ireland and would like to study here, you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Study Visa applications on  INIS .

For further information on studying in Ireland:

• Immigration Regime for Full Time Non-EEA Students
• Irish Council for International Students
• Immigration and Visas - A guide for international students

Standard visa fees

Standard non-refundable visa application processing fees are:

Other charges

You may also have to pay communications charges.

More information

Contact your local Embassy or Consulate for more details on fees and payment methods.

No fee required

Some applicants don’t have to pay a fee for their visa. These include visa-required spouses and certain family members of EEA citizens (including Irish nationals). You must provide proof of the relationship with the application.

In addition, applicants from the countries listed on this page don’t have to pay a fee.

You may be charged an administration or communications fee if you’re apply from some of these countries. Other charges

My application has been refused.

If your application has been refused and you still want to travel to Ireland, you can:

• Appeal the decision or
• Make a new application

If you decide to make a new application, your previous application history may be taken into account.

Appealing the decision

You'll be sent a letter outlining the reasons for refusal. You can appeal this decision within two months of receiving the refusal notice. You will find further information on how to make an appeal on INIS .

Immigration control

A visa is a form of pre-entry clearance which allows for travel to Ireland. It does not guarantee permission to enter Ireland. Permission to enter Ireland is granted by an Immigration Officer at the port of entry.

All non-EEA citizens, whether they need a visa or not, will be subject to ordinary immigration controls at the port of entry.

Additional documents

As well as your visa, an Immigration Officer may ask to see additional information such as:

• Accommodation bookings
• Return flights
• Contacts in Ireland

Length of stay

The Immigration Officer at the port of entry will decide your length of stay by stamping your passport; which will reflect the purpose of your journey and the amount of time you are allowed to stay in the State.

The validity period shown on your visa indicates the dates between which you must travel to Ireland. These dates are NOT the dates between which you’re permitted to remain in Ireland.

Staying over three months

If you need a visa to enter Ireland and you want to stay longer than 90 days, apply for a 'D' type visa before you travel. Permission to enter on the basis of a 'C' type visa will not give you permission to remain beyond a 90 day period.

Registration

If you’re a non-EEA national and you want to stay longer than three months in Ireland, you must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau and apply for permission to remain in Ireland.

Conditions of your visa

Under Irish law, you’re not allowed to engage in any activity or to remain in Ireland for any purpose other than that for which your visa or permission to remain was granted.

Overstaying your visa

If you stay in Ireland longer than your permission to remain permits, you could be liable for prosecution and/or deportation.

Change of activity

If you want to undertake any activity in Ireland other than that for which your visa was granted you must leave the county and apply for a new visa. You can’t return to Ireland while you’re waiting for a decision on your new application.

Find out what you need to enter Ireland based on your nationality on the  INIS website .

If you hold Convention travel documents issued by certain EEA state, please refer to Section 3. (b) (i) of  S.I. No 473 of 2014  (short-stay visits only) or visit the  INIS website  for more information.

Check if you meet Visa Waiver Programme requirements on the  INIS website , if so you  may  be able to travel on to Ireland from the UK without the need to obtain a separate Irish visa.

Check if you are eligible for this Scheme on the  INIS website .

Check if you will need to apply for a transit visa on the  INIS website .

Please ensure you have completed the correct application form and supplied all the required documentation. A full list of the different application forms and the necessary documents can be found on the  INIS website .

1. Complete the  online application form  ( Guidance is available in several languages ) 2. Gather your supporting documentation, passport photograph and fee  3. The online application system will automatically request you to submit your documentation to one of the following:

If you sent your application to Dublin, you should  contact INIS directly .

If you applied directly to INIS in Dublin, or if your application was referred to INIS for a decision, you can check the INIS  Visa Decision Weekly Listing  using your reference number.

Visit the  Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS)  website to find out what you need to know before you apply for a visa

If you’re in Ireland and want to apply for a re-entry visa or have other queries,  contact the INIS Visa Section

Further information on visa fees and visa fee exemptions is available on the INIS website .

You may be charged an administration or communications fee if you’re apply from some of these countries.

You'll be sent a letter outlining the reasons for refusal. You can appeal this decision within two months of receiving the refusal notice. You will find further information on how to make an appeal on  INIS .

If you’re a non-EEA national and you want to stay longer than three months in Ireland, you must  register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau  and apply for permission to remain in Ireland.

Apply for a visa

Find out more about visas for Ireland from the Irish Nationalisation and Immigration Service .

Related Links

Irish Embassies and Consulates

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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.

Killaloe, County Clare

Stand-up paddle boarding with Soulkite

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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Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK

What is the common travel area, your rights within the common travel area, border control and the common travel area, brexit and the common travel area.

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is an arrangement between the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland that gives a variety of rights to citizens of those countries. It includes more than the basic right to travel freely between both countries.

When the Common Travel Area arrangement began in 1922, it was not contained in any legislation. It was an understanding between Ireland and the UK based on their common history. Over time, some of the rights came to be included in different pieces of legislation in both Ireland and the UK.

While the Common Travel Area is recognised under the Treaty of Amsterdam, it is not dependant on the European Union and the continuing membership of both countries.

On 8 May 2019, the Irish and UK governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (pdf) reaffirming the Common Travel Area and identifying the rights and privileges of Irish and UK citizens within the CTA. It also reaffirmed the commitment to maintain the CTA following Brexit (pdf) .

Common Travel Area rights can only be exercised by citizens of Ireland and the UK. If you are not a citizen of Ireland or the UK, you cannot exercise Common Travel Area rights.

For the purposes of the Common Travel Area, the UK covers:

• Northern Ireland
• The Isle of Man
• The Channel Islands

Irish and UK citizens have the right to live, travel, work and study within the Common Travel Area. The rights of Irish citizens have been recognised in the UK’s Immigration and Social Security (EU Withdrawal) Act 2020 .

Irish and UK citizens can live in either country and enjoy associated rights and privileges, including:

• Access to social benefits
• Access to healthcare
• Access to social housing supports
• The right to vote in certain elections

The Common Travel Area does not relate to goods or customs issues. You can read about the trade agreement between Ireland and the UK in Brexit and Ireland .

There are no routine passport controls in operation for Irish and UK citizens travelling between the 2 countries.

However, you must show identification to board a ferry or an airplane, and some airlines and sea carriers only accept a passport as valid identification. You may also be asked by an immigration officer to prove that you are a citizen of Ireland or the UK, so you should carry a passport with you. You can also use an Irish passport card, or other proof that you are an Irish citizen.

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

The Common Travel Area also involves some co-operation on immigration issues. A non-EEA national, for example, may be refused permission to enter Ireland if they intend to travel onwards to the UK and they would not qualify for admission to the UK. Irish immigration officers have the power to carry out checks on people arriving in the State from the UK and to refuse them entry to the State on the same grounds that apply to people arriving from outside the Common Travel Area. These checks are carried out selectively.

EU and EEA citizens travelling to Great Britain from Ireland

If you are a citizen of the EEA (the EU, plus Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein) or Switzerland, you may be asked for identification when you enter Great Britain from Ireland. You are not asked to show identification if you are entering Northern Ireland from Ireland.

You must have an EEA passport to enter Great Britain from Ireland unless you have:

• Settled or pre-settled status in the UK, or you are awaiting a decision on your application and have received confirmation that your application is valid.
• An EU Settlement Scheme family permit, or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man
• A Frontier Worker Permit
• An S2 Healthcare Visitor visa
• A Service Provider from Switzerland visa

If you are in any of the above categories, you can use an EEA or Swiss national identity card to enter Great Britain from Ireland.

Electronic Travel Authorisation

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) gives you permission to travel to the UK and is required by some nationalities before travel.

You do not need an ETA if you:

• Are a British citizen
• Are an Irish citizen (unless subject to a deportation order, exclusion order decision, or an international travel ban)
• Are a British Overseas Territory Citizen (BOTC) with a BOTC passport
• Have entry clearance or permission to enter or stay in the UK, including people who are settled

If you live in Ireland legally, you don't need an ETA when entering the UK from Ireland.

Cross border workers

Irish and British citizens can live and work in both Ireland and the UK and they can live in one country and work in the other country. For example, you might live in Ireland and work in Northern Ireland. This is called frontier working or cross-border working .

EEA and Swiss citizens who were living in Ireland and working in Northern Ireland before the end of 2020, must have a Frontier Work Permit to continue working in Northern Ireland. EEA and Swiss citizens who live in Ireland and start working in Northern Ireland from the beginning of 2021 must apply for permission to work in the UK through the UK’s points-based immigration system .

People with UK visas or residence permits

If you are a citizen of a country whose nationals need a visa to enter Ireland and you have a valid UK visa or residence permit, you may be required to have a visa to enter Ireland before you arrive in Ireland.

Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme

The Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme allows nationals of a number of Eastern European, Middle East and Asian countries who have a short-term UK visa to come to Ireland without the need for a separate Irish visa.

Reciprocal visa arrangements

A British Irish Visa Scheme applies to visitors from China and India. This scheme allows visitors from these countries to travel freely within the Common Travel Area (excluding the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), using either an Irish or UK visa. British Irish Visa Scheme visas are endorsed with ‘BIVS’.

Both schemes are provided for in the Immigration Act (Visas) Order 2014 (SI 473/2014) as amended by Immigration Act (Visas) Order 2016 (SI 502/2016) .

You can read more about visa requirements for entering Ireland , or you can get further information about visa applications from Irish embassies and consulates abroad .

The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU) has not affected the rights of Irish citizens and UK citizens within the Common Travel Area. The right to live, work and access public services in the Common Travel Area is protected.

Your Common Travel Area rights do not extend to your family. This means that if your spouse or partner, or other relative, is not an Irish or UK citizen, they may have to apply for residence in the UK .

You can read about residence rights of British citizens in Ireland.

Common Travel Area in law and the Protocol

The Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2019 places many of the Common Travel Area rights in legislation for the first time. The Act empowers the relevant ministers to legislate in the areas of providing equal access to healthcare and social welfare.

The withdrawal agreement between the UK and the European Union recognises the Common Travel Area in its Protocol, which deals with Ireland and Northern Ireland . Article 2 provides for the continued operation of the Common Travel Area.

You can read more about the UK leaving the EU in our pages:

• Background to Brexit
• Brexit and Ireland

You can get more information on the Common Travel Area from the Department of Foreign Affairs and on legal matters and rights from gov.ie .

Related documents

• 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. 1954.3262
• The Schengen Area What countries are in the Schengen Area, and what does it mean for travellers to and from Ireland? 1926.2102
• The euro area The euro is the national currency of 19 EU member states. This document explains how it operates. 1887.5979

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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British-Irish Visa Scheme

If you’re a citizen and resident in China or India, you may be eligible for the British-Irish visa scheme that lets you visit both countries without a single visa.

Contact us today via  (+353) 061 518 025  for immediate guidance on your Irish visa, immigration, and citizenship processing. We are here to help you in person, via the phone, or online.

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Benefits of Choosing IAS ‘ Ireland Immigration Lawyers

When it comes to obtaining an Ireland visa or permit, IAS Ireland immigration lawyers are well-equipped to help you.

With IAS’ track record of successfully helping clients visit or immigrate to Ireland successfully, we can help you achieve your goal.

Our dedicated immigration lawyers provide our services through a comprehensive and personalised approach. With IAS, you enjoy:

Compassionate support from an experienced immigration lawyer dedicated to your success

Support in gathering supporting documents and completing a high-quality application.

Confidence that your case is being handled by an experienced team.

In-house document checks done by lawyers who are well-versed in Ireland immigration matters.

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Need help with an immigration issue? Book a one-to-one advice session with one of our legal caseworkers.

We can complete your visa application on your behalf, taking the stress and hassle out of the process.

Need to submit an application quickly? We can help you complete and send it off in as little as 24 hours.

Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal with our legal support and guidance.

What is the British-Irish Visa Scheme?

This is a reciprocal agreement and memorandum of understanding between the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was launched in June 2014. The aim of the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) is to foster tourism in both countries.

It follows the Irish Short-stay Visa Waiver program that permits nationals of 18 countries to enter Ireland with UK visas. The difference is that the British-Irish Visa Scheme allows travel in two directions: into Ireland and the UK.

As a reciprocal agreement, it means that the UK will recognize Ireland’s short-stay visas and vice versa. Hence, an Irish short-visa holder won’t need to get a British visa to enter the UK. The scheme is open to nationals of particular countries and allows applicants to travel freely through the Common Travel Area (CTA).

The scheme also allows free travel to Northern Ireland. However, it restricts access to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. China and India are currently the only countries the scheme supports.

Irish and UK Visas Eligible for British-Irish Scheme

The British-Irish Visa Scheme only recognizes short-stay visas. As mentioned earlier, the scheme is only open to Chinese and Indian nationals. They also must be residing in China or India, respectively.

If you meet these conditions, you can enter the UK under the British-Irish Visa scheme if you have:

• An Irish Family/Friend Visa
• An  Irish Tourist Visa
• An Irish Conference/Event Visa
• An  Irish Business Visa

In the same vein, you can enter Ireland under the British-Irish Visa Scheme if you have:

• A UK  Standard Visitor Visa
• A UK  Business Visitor Visa
• A UK  Child Visitor Visa
• A UK Prospective Entrepreneur Visitor Visa
• A UK Private Medical Treatment Visitor Visa
• A UK  Student Visitor Visa
• A UK  paid engagement visa

If you possess any other Irish or  UK visa  that doesn’t fall into the above categories, you’ll need to apply for a separate visa to enter Ireland or the UK. For example, you cannot enter the UK under the British-Irish Visa Scheme with an Irish work or study visa.

A UK visit visa that are valid for more than six months are not eligible for this scheme as they’re not short-stay visas. Also, children under 18 years cannot travel between Ireland and the UK under the British-Irish Visa Scheme unless they are in the company of an adult.

Get in touch with our expert immigration lawyers to receive assistance with your Irish visa application.

The UK Immigration rules and requirements of the British-Irish Visa Scheme

The British-Irish Visa Scheme requires all participants to be more than 18 years old. Also, they must have any of the Short Stay/visit visas listed above. Several other rules and visa requirements apply to this scheme.

If you have an Irish short-stay visa, for instance, you must first travel to Ireland before you can enter the Common Travel Area (CTA) in the UK. The rule states that you must first visit the country whose visa you’re carrying. When you want to return to Ireland or the UK, you won’t need a re-entry visa.

Another rule to note is that you can only engage in the activities your visa allows. If you’re carrying an Irish short-stay family/friend visa, for instance, you cannot engage in business or paid work of any kind. In addition, there are limits to the duration of your Irish/UK visa depending on the issuing country and the country you’ll be entering. They include:

• With an eligible UK visa, you can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 180 days.
• With an eligible Irish visa, you can only stay in Ireland for a maximum of 90 days.
• With an eligible UK visa, you can only stay in Ireland for a maximum of 90 days. Also, it could count as the remaining validity period of your visa.
• With an eligible Irish visa, you can only stay in the UK for the remaining validity period of your visa. For example, if you have an Irish visa that’s valid for 90 days and stay in Ireland for 30 days before entering the UK, you can only reside in the UK for 60 days.

Required documents for British-Irish Visa Scheme

Eligibility for the British-Irish visa scheme depends on the visa you’re carrying. Hence, the required documents are different for each visa type and country. The required documents for a short stay business visa will be different from that of a family/friend visa. Also, Irish and UK embassies may have different required documents.

Nevertheless, the submission of documents is an important part of the Irish and UK visa process. Documents are reviewed with scrutiny to ensure an applicant is qualified before they get their visa.

Therefore, you must make sure you provide all necessary documents as requested by the embassy or consulate. Generally, you would need to have a visa application summary sheet, international passport, proof of fees payment, and proof that you’ll return home when your visa expires.

How to apply

First, you have to acquire an eligible visa. You must apply for your visa from your home country and with the embassy of the country you intend to travel to first. If you’re an Indian or Chinese national not living in India or China, respectively, you can’t apply for this visa.

If all your documents are intact, it’ll take a few weeks to get a decision on your short-stay visa. Once you have your visa, you can apply for the British-Irish Visa Scheme. There are joint application centers in India and China. You just have to find somewhere closest to you. You can either submit your application after getting your visa or apply while your visa application is processed.

How to re-enter the country

As mentioned earlier, you don’t need a re-entry visa if you enter the UK from Ireland and wish to re-enter Ireland. This is true as long as you travel within the CTA.

If you leave the common travel entry area, you can no longer enter Ireland or the UK if you have a single entry Irish visa. For that, you’ll have to apply for a new visa. If you have a multi-entry Irish visa, you can re-enter Ireland if you leave the CTA and then subsequently enter the UK so long as your visa is still valid.

UK visa holders that leave the CTA, can re-enter the UK and then enter Ireland if your visa is still valid.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the british-irish visa scheme (bivs) different from the irish short stay visa waiver programme.

The British-Irish Visa Scheme is only for Chinese and Indian citizens and residents. Meanwhile, the Irish Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme is for citizens of certain Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries. It allows eligible persons with short-stay UK visas to visit Ireland without obtaining a separate Irish visa.

How long is the BIVS visa valid for?

The validity of your BIVS-endorsed visa varies depending on the issuing country and where you visit. For example, a short-stay Irish visa is limited to 90 days, while that of the UK is 180 days.

Even if you hold a six-month UK visa, you can only stay in Ireland for 90 days. Likewise, if you have a 90-day Ireland visa and spend half of it in Ireland before visiting the UK, you can only stay in the UK for the number of days left on your Irish visa.

I do not require a visa to enter Ireland; can I still visit the UK?

Only Chinese and Indian nationals can apply for the British-Irish Visa Scheme. Even if you are a citizen of a country that does not require a visa to enter Ireland, you may still need one to enter the UK. Similarly, those who do not require a visa to enter the UK may require one to enter Ireland.

Which country do I travel home from?

You can travel back to China or India from the UK or Ireland. What’s important is that you must travel before your visa validity expires.

What if I just want to go to the UK or just Ireland?

You should apply for the usual UK or Irish visa. If you don’t want to visit both countries. As a national and resident of China and India, it’s not compulsory that you partake in the British-Irish Visa Scheme.

Note that if you obtain a UK Visa without the BIVS endorsement, you will not be permitted to enter the Republic of Ireland. If you want to visit Ireland, you may need to reapply in your home country or obtain a second Irish Visitor Visa.

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Related pages for your continued reading

Irish Work Visas

Looking to work in Ireland or obtain a work visa for your employee? We can help. Learn more here.

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There are a few routes to permanent or long-term residency in Ireland. Click here to explore them.

Irish Family Visas

IAS Ireland immigration lawyers can help you reunite with your family in Ireland. Contact us today for support.

Irish Business Visas

You may need a business visa in order to establish and run a business in Ireland Click here to learn more.

Irish Study Visas

If you want to study in Ireland, you may need to obtain a study visa. Click here to learn more about Ireland’s study visas.

Irish Visitor Visas

Are you looking to visit Ireland for tourism, to see family/friends, for business meetings, or any other reason? Reach out to us to discuss.

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Visa Information

Select the visa type that is right for you to see important information on visa fees, documents required, forms, photo specifications and processing times.

Documents Required

Photo specifications, processing time, download forms.

If you would like to visit Ireland for a short period (less than 3 months) for the purpose of tourism, attend an event, undertake short-term study etc. you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Tourist visa applications here .

If you would like to visit Ireland for a short period (less than 3 months) to visit family and friends in Ireland you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Family/Friend visa applications here .

Some customers are required to pay a visa fee, while others are exempt. Please refer here for information

If you are resident in the UK and you are a national of a country included in the Irish Visa Waiver Programme you require a separate Irish visa but you are not required to pay an application fee. Please refer to the Irish Visa Waiver Programme information note for details.

Applicable visa fee, in Pound Sterling (£), is as per the current exchange rate and may be subject to change without notice.

VFS service fee (inclusive of VAT) is charged per visa application, in addition to the applicable visa fee. . If you are not required to pay a visa application fee you will be required to pay the VFS service fee only.

All fees can be paid by Credit/Debit Card.

Cash payments are only accepted in London.

Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.

All fees are non-refundable.

Along with your application form we will need to submit the supporting documents detailed in the link below.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

You are advised not to purchase travel tickets before you know the outcome of your visa application.

Photocopies of your bio page and all visas and stamps in your passport(s)- all immigration stamps and visas for all travel must be submitted. (Not only those relating to the UK and Ireland)

The onus is on you, the customer, to ensure that your fully complete application is submitted in sufficient time for a decision to be made before your date of travel.

• The photograph for each customer must be an un-mounted, full face photo, color photo as described below
• The photograph must have been taken within the last six months.
• 1 photo must be submitted.

The photo for each customer submitted must measure:

• 35 mm x 45 mm with the head centered in the frame.
• The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure at least 30 mm

Photo Appearance

• The photograph must be a full-face front view in which the visa applicant is facing the camera directly.
• The face should cover about 70-80 percent of the photo area.
• The photograph MUST be in color and have only a white or light background. Photos with dark, busy, or patterned backgrounds will not be accepted
• In general, the customers head, including both face and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on top and bottom and from hairline side-to-side. It is preferable that ears be exposed
• Sunglasses or other wear, which detracts from the face, are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons (an eye patch, for example).
• A photograph depicting a person wearing a traditional facemask or veil that does not permit adequate identification is not acceptable.

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete.

You can apply for a visit visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to Ireland.

Visa applications are processed in the order they are received. The minimum processing times depend on the type of visa you are applying for.

Your application may also take longer if:

• You have not submitted the necessary supporting documentation
• Your supporting documentation needs to be verified
• Because of personal circumstances, e.g. you have a criminal conviction

Note: Processing times can change during the year, e.g. before holiday periods. You are advised not to pay for a travel ticket before you receive a decision on your visa.

The current target processing times for complete visa applications submitted to the Irish Visa Office, London are as follows:

Complete the online application form

You can apply for this visa if you are working outside Ireland and want to come to Ireland to carry out activities relating to your job, such as to attend meetings, attend trade shows for promotional work, arrange deals or negotiate or sign trade agreements or contracts, or carry out fact finding missions. Applicant will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category.

More information on this visa type is available here

Please follow this link in order to ascertain whether you require a visa to travel to Ireland: Click Here

VFS service fee (inclusive of VAT) is charged per visa application, in addition to the applicable visa fee. If you are not required to pay a visa application fee you will be required to pay the VFS service fee only.

Photocopies of the bio page and all visas and stamps in your passport(s) must be submitted. (All immigration stamps and visas for all travel, not only those relating to the UK and Ireland)

For most Short Stay visas, you can expect a decision within 8 weeks of the application being received by the London Visa Office. Applications for Long Stay visas may take longer.

Note : Processing times can change during the year, e.g. before holiday periods. You are advised not to pay for a travel ticket before you receive a decision on your visa.

Important Notes

Processing times can fluctuate during the year, e.g. before holiday periods. You are advised not to pay for a travel ticket before you receive a decision on your visa.

Incomplete applications may not be accepted or may result in a visa refusal

The onus is on you, the applicant, to ensure that your fully complete application is submitted in sufficient time for a decision to be made before your date of travel

Your application may also take longer than advertised if:

More information on this visa type is available here .

You can apply for this visa if you want to travel to Ireland for a conference, relating to your work, studies, or for an event. Customers will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category.

You can apply for this visa if you are required to work in Ireland. Customer will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category.

Exam / Interview

An interview visa may be used only attend an interview for a job that is on the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations (HSEO) list . To attend a job interview, apply for a visa under the category 'Other' (not 'Employment') when submitting your application online.

If you are a visa-required national and coming to Ireland to take examination/ interview you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for exam/ interview visa applications on this page. Applicants will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category.

Join Family

If you wish to come to Ireland to reside for longer than 3 months with a family member who is an Irish citizen or who is lawfully resident in Ireland you can apply for a long stay (join family) visa.

A comprehensive statement of national immigration policy on the area of family reunification is contained in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification published on 31 December 2013.

The policies outlined in the document apply to all decision making in relation to family reunification cases where ministerial discretion applies including long stay (join family) visa applications.

The policies do not apply to:

• applications pursuant to Directive 2504/38/EC on the rights of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of Member States
• Customers for family reunification by recognised refugees or persons granted subsidiary protection.

Before you apply for a long stay (join family) visa please read the Policy Document carefully to find out:

• who is eligible to be a sponsor for the purposes of an application for family reunification,
• who may be sponsored and the eligibility requirements,
• whether waiting periods apply before a person becomes eligible to sponsor,
• whether a sponsor must achieve a minimum level of earnings prior to being eligible to sponsor,
• what a person who is granted a join family visa may do in Ireland,
• how dependency is measured when this is adduced in support of an application for family reunification.

Customer will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category.

If you hold other passports, or have held previous passports, you must also submit them with your application. If you are unable to do so include a written explanation with any relevant police reports.

You can apply for a study visa if you are planning to come to Ireland to undertake a course of study.

You can apply for a study visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to Ireland. Please follow this link in order to ascertain whether you require a visa to travel to Ireland: Click Here

You can apply for this visa if you are required to travel to Ireland as a Volunteer. Customer will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category.

Please follow the link to know more about Volunteering in Ireland: Click Here

Please follow the link to know more about Minister of Religion: Click Here

Family Members Of Eu/eea/swiss Citizens

Applications under the European Directive 2004/38/EC (Free Movement Directive) may be submitted through this office.

Information about this type of visa application is available here

Information about the type of documentation that should be included for consideration for this type of application is available here

Note : Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete.

Performance Visa

This visa type should be used if you intend to stage a performance or take part in a competitive tournament, information is available here

Ireland will consider terminating visa-free entry for South Africans. Image: Unsplash

Ireland considers terminating visa-free entry for SA passports

South Africans could lose visa-free entry to Ireland, the only country in Western Europe that offers eased entry for South African nationals.

Ireland is considering revoking its visa-free travel attangements with South Africa.

South African passport holders have eased entry to over 100 countries. However, this may change if Ireland excludes SA from its visa-abolition agreements.

Ultimately, this is bad news for South African passport holders, who stand to lose a visa-free destination .

IRELAND VISA-FREE TRAVEL

In 2009, the United Kingdom introduced visa-requirements for South African passport holders.

It cited raised safety issues resulting from the misuse of South African passports.

The Republic of Ireland, however, did not end its visa-free entry scheme for South Africa.

Nonetheless, the privilege might end soon if Ireland revokes the visa-free entry arrangement.

VISA-FREE ENTRY FOR SOUTH AFRICA

Schengenvisainfo reports that Ireland will discuss ending its visa-free travel scheme with South Africa.

Ireland’s ministers will discuss axing the arrangement so Ireland can tighten up immigration.

Ireland’s Department of Justice says 198 asylum seekers arrived in Ireland on South African passports this year.

ASYLUM SEEKERS ENTER IRELAND

The scrapping of visa-free travel for South Africans comes after alleged abuse of the arrangement by individuals entering Ireland, seeking protection. 

According to the Irish Times nationals of Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo are using South African passports to enter the country.

IRELAND TO SCRAP VISA-FREE ENTRY SCHEME

Ireland will consider implementing visa requirements for South African nationals to reduce the number of people applying for protection and asylum.

Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee stated that over 80% of international protection applicants entered the country through Northern Ireland.

This number represents over three percent of the country’s total asylum applicants in 2024.

CHOOSING IRELAND OVER UK

Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that the increase in asylum seekers heading to Ireland proves that Britain’s Rwanda plan is already working.

Britain’s prime minister says that the new Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act is already deterring migrants.

Irish deputy prime minister, Micheál Martin, said the threat of deportation to Rwanda led to people coming to the Republic of Ireland.

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Ireland plans to send asylum seekers back to UK under emergency law

Taoiseach wants to reduce arrivals through Northern Ireland amid concern that Sunak’s Rwanda plan is driving people to Ireland

Ireland and Britain are on a collision course over asylum seekers, with Dublin vowing to send arrivals to Ireland back to the UK and London insisting it will not accept any.

A diplomatic row erupted on Sunday after the taoiseach, Simon Harris, asked the justice minister, Helen McEntee, to bring proposals to cabinet next week to allow the return of inadmissible international protection applicants to the UK, amid concern that Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda plan was rerouting asylum seekers from Britain.

“This country will not in any way, shape or form provide a loophole for anybody else’s migration challenges,” Harris said on Sunday. “Other countries can decide how they wish to advance migration. From an Irish perspective, we intend to have a firm rules-based system where rules are in place, where rules are in force, where rules are seen to be enforced.”

The planned legislation follows a claim by Sunak that the Conservative party’s deterrence was working, and after it emerged that 80% of recent asylum seekers to Ireland came via the land border with Northern Ireland.

A UK government source said it would not accept any asylum seekers from Ireland without a wider deal with Brussels. “We won’t accept any asylum returns from the EU via Ireland until the EU accepts that we can send them back to France. We are fully focused on operationalising our Rwanda scheme and will continue working with the French to stop the boats from crossing the channel.”

Ireland had previously designated the UK a “safe third country” to which asylum seekers could be returned but last month the Irish high court ruled that this breached EU law, impeding further returns.

McEntee said she would shore up Ireland’s controls and discuss the return of refugees with James Cleverly and other British officials during a visit to London on Monday.

“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 and that’s why I’ll be meeting with the home secretary to raise these issues on Monday,” she told RTÉ.

In an interview with Sky News on Sunday, Sunak said the Rwanda legislation signed into law last week was already having an impact because people were worried about coming to the UK.

“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.”

Last week, a protest in County Wicklow over proposed refugee accommodation led to violent clashes with police who used shields and sprays and arrested six people. Police said rocks and other missiles were thrown and they recovered an axe.

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There have been protests and arson attacks on proposed refugee accommodation centres and demonstrations outside ministers’ homes, fuelling anxiety over far-right agitation.

At a speech in County Monaghan the taoiseach said warning signs around the abuse of public figures should be taken seriously. “We have had too many warnings and we need to take them seriously before the unthinkable happens.”

Ireland has taken in more than 100,000 refugees, about three-quarters from Ukraine. There is an acute housing crisis that has driven up rents and homelessness and fuelled anti-immigrant sentiment. A riot last November wrecked parts of central Dublin.

• Immigration and asylum
• Northern Ireland
• Rishi Sunak
• Simon Harris

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Most viewed.

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

Ireland's justice minister, Helen McEntee, says she will be meeting UK Home Secretary James Cleverly in London on Monday as she promises an "effective immigration structure and system".

By Andy Hayes, news reporter

Monday 29 April 2024 03:27, UK

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Ireland is pledging emergency legislation enabling it to send asylum seekers back to the UK.

More than 80% of recent arrivals in the republic came via the land border with Northern Ireland, Irish justice minister Helen McEntee told a parliamentary committee last week.

Rishi Sunak told Sky News it showed the UK's Rwanda scheme was already working as a deterrent after it finally became law last week.

Read more: Anti-immigrant camp in Dublin 'not about racism', residents say

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

Micheal Martin said the policy was already affecting Ireland because people are "fearful" of staying in the UK.

The former taoiseach told The Daily Telegraph: "Maybe that's the impact it was designed to have."

Simon Harris, Ireland's latest leader, has asked Ms McEntee to "bring proposals to cabinet to amend existing law regarding the designation of safe 'third countries' and allowing the return of inadmissible international protection applicants to the UK", a spokesman said.

Ms McEntee said she will be meeting UK Home Secretary James Cleverly in London on Monday.

"There are many reasons why we have seen an increase in migration towards Ireland," she told RTE.

"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, and that's why I'll be meeting with the home secretary to raise these issues on Monday."

People are now "worried" about coming to the UK, Rishi Sunak has said.

He told Sky News: "If people come to our country illegally, but know that they won't be able to stay here, they are much less likely to come, and that's why the Rwanda scheme is so important."

Read more: Tory MP and doctor Dan Poulter defects to Labour Humza Yousaf to reject pact with Alex Salmond's Alba Party

Mr Sunak said the comments from Irish politicians show that "illegal migration is a global challenge".

"[That] is why you're seeing multiple countries talk about doing third country partnerships, looking at novel ways to solve this problem, and I believe [they] will follow where the UK has led," he said.

Shadow minister Wes Streeting said it was unlikely a Labour government would bring people back from Rwanda if some are sent there.

"Once people are settled in Rwanda, they're settled in Rwanda," he told Sky News, adding it was doubtful that Labour would "unpick that situation".

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

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Regarding illegal migration in general, he said it required "putting the money that's gone to Rwanda into the National Crime Agency so we can have proper cross-border policing to tackle the criminal gangs, speeding up the processing of decision-making, making sure we've got serious returns agreements with other countries".

He added: "Those are solutions that can work."

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• Visas and immigration
• Visit the UK

Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor

Apply for a standard visitor visa.

If you need a Standard Visitor visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK and attend an appointment at a visa application centre.

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

You must meet the eligibility requirements and only do permitted activities .

Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa to visit the UK. You can check if you need a visa before you apply.

You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa, or if you visit the UK regularly you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead.

Apply online

Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.

If you’re applying with family members, each person must have their own application and pay the fee. They need to attend their own appointment at a visa application centre.

You can apply on behalf of your partner and child, if they cannot apply for themselves.

Your application will not be accepted and you will not get a refund if you have the right of abode in the UK (for example you’re a British citizen). You need to apply for a certificate of entitlement instead.

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. 

Find out how to sign in to your account .

Long-term Standard Visitor visas

You can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if you visit the UK regularly. This visa lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit.

If you’re under 18 years old when you apply , your long-term Standard Visitor visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18. You cannot get a refund on the fee.

You may be given a shorter visa than requested if UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) believe you cannot meet the eligibility requirements for the duration of the visa you applied for.

You will not get a refund of the application fee if you get a shorter visa or if your application is refused.

Your visa may be cancelled if your travel history shows you are repeatedly living in the UK for extended periods.

Documents and information you’ll need to apply

You must have a passport or travel document that is valid for the whole of your stay in the UK. There must be a blank page in your passport for your Standard Visitor visa.

You’ll need to provide the following information in your online application:

• the dates you’re planning to travel to the UK
• where you’ll be staying during your visit
• how much you think your trip will cost
• your current home address and how long you’ve lived there
• your parents’ names and dates of birth (if known)
• how much you earn in a year (if you have an income)
• details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences you may have committed

Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide:

• details of your travel history for the past 10 years
• your employer’s address and telephone number
• your partner’s name, date of birth and passport number
• the name and address of anyone paying for your trip
• the name, address and passport number of any family members you have in the UK
• a certificate proving that you’ve had a tuberculosis ( TB ) test if you’re visiting for more than 6 months

You need to provide additional documents if you’re visiting the UK:

• as an academic
• for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’
• for medical reasons

You must provide certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Proving your identity and providing your documents

As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre. Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country.

At your appointment, you’ll need to:

• prove your identity with your passport or travel document
• have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken
• provide the required documents that show you’re eligible for a Standard Visitor visa

The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

You can check to see if you can get your visa decision faster .

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

If you need to change or cancel your application

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it, contact UKVI .

You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if the application has not been processed yet.

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