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Types of Visas in Ireland

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Updated: Sep 22, 2024

Published: May 21, 2024

Travelling to Ireland should be an exciting adventure, whether it is for leisure, work, or study. However, one of the most important steps that will make your trip possible is having a visa. To do this, you need to understand the types of visas available. 

Visas are essential for regulating who enters the country and their reason for entry. This guide will help you understand the various types of Irish visas, the visa requirements for Ireland, and their application process.

Table of Contents

Short-stay visas

Short-stay visas, also known as Type C visas, are designed for individuals who plan to visit Ireland for up to 90 days. These visas are typically for those who wish to travel for tourism, short-term study, or to visit friends and family. If you would like to stay in Ireland longer, you need to leave, re-apply for a visa and come back. Here are the primary categories under the short-stay visa: 

  1. Tourist visa
  2. Business visa
  3. Conference/Event visa
  4. Short-term study visa
  5. Visit Family/Friends visa

Long-stay visas

Long stay visas, also known as Type D visas, are for individuals who intend to stay in Ireland for more than 90 days. These visas cater to those seeking to work, study, or join their family members in Ireland. When you get to Ireland, you need to get an Irish residence permit. Here are the main categories under long-stay visas:

  1. Student visa
  2. Work visa
  3. Join family visa
  4. Researcher visa
  5. Volunteer visa
  6. Religious worker visa

Multiple-entry visas

A multiple-entry visa allows you to enter and leave Ireland multiple times during the visa's validity period. This type of visa is beneficial for individuals who need to travel frequently for business, family visits, or other reasons. 

Transit visas

A transit visa is required for travellers passing through Ireland on their way to another destination. It allows you to stay in the transit area of an Irish airport without entering the country. The following are the countries that will need an Irish transit visa:

AfghanistanGhana
AlbaniaHonduras
BoliviaIran
CubaIraq
Democratic Republic of the CongoLebanon
DominicaMoldova
EritreaNigeria
EthiopiaSomalia
GeorgiaSri Lanka
Vanuatu

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, so travelling to Northern Ireland requires a UK visa rather than an Irish visa. However, there are specific considerations for those who wish to visit both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland consists of the following counties; Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone. If you have an Irish Visa endorsed with the British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS), you may travel to Northern Ireland on this visa (after arriving in the Republic of Ireland first).

Who needs a Northern Ireland visa?

Non-EU/EEA citizens: Most non-EU/EEA nationals will need a UK visa to enter Northern Ireland.

Travellers visiting both regions: If you plan to visit both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to apply for a multiple-entry Irish visa and a UK visa for each region respectively.

Do I need preclearance?

When planning your trip to Ireland, you might come across the term "preclearance". Preclearance is a process that some non-EEA (European Economic Area) nationals must complete before applying for certain types of visas. If you require preclearance, you cannot apply for your visa until you have successfully received preclearance approval. If you fall into one of the following categories, you will need to obtain preclearance before applying for your visa:

  1. Volunteer
  2. Minister of religion
  3. De facto partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit or Hosting Agreement holder
  4. De facto partner of an Irish citizen
  5. A family member of a UK citizen

Visa requirements in Ireland (documents)

  • Passport; valid for at least six months beyond your stay.
  • Visa application form.
  • Passport-sized photos that meet the visa photo requirements.
  • Proof of purpose; depending on the visa type, such as a letter of invitation, proof of enrolment, or job offer.
  • Travel Insurance covering your entire stay in Ireland.
  • Proof of adequate finances.
  • Accommodation details in Ireland.
  • Irish-certified translation for any document that is not in English.

 

Visa requirements in Ireland

Application Processes

  1. Fill out the Irish visa application form on the Irish immigration website.
  2. Collect all necessary documents, including certified translations (if you have foreign language documents).
  3. Make visa payments online.
  4. Submit your application and documents to the appropriate visa office or embassy.
  5. Attend the visa Interview (if required) - visa applicants living in Nigeria must provide their biometric data. Applicants residing in Pakistan, India and China must provide their fingerprints.

Processing time

The Irish visa processing times can vary based on the type of visa and the time of year. Applications and appeals are processed in the order they are received at the Dublin visa office. The processing times are updated weekly, showing the dates for the different visa types currently being processed. Generally, it can take a few weeks to several months for a decision. To avoid delays, ensure that all required documents are submitted correctly. If your Irish visa application is approved, you will be contacted by the Irish immigration authority, if you have not been contacted yet, you should reach out to the Dublin visa office, or the Irish Embassy or Consulate, depending on where you sent your application to.

If your visa application is rejected, you will receive a letter explaining the reason for the refusal and whether you can appeal this decision or not. 

Irish visa fees

The standard fees for Irish visas are as follows:

Single Entry Visa: €60. This payment is valid for a one-time entry into Ireland for a maximum of 90 days.

Multiple Entry Visa: €100. As the name implies, this payment is valid for multiple entries into Ireland for a maximum of 5 years from the date of issue.

Transit Visa: €25. Other charges determined by the Irish embassy, might apply.

Reduced fees and exemptions

While most applicants must pay the standard visa fees, certain groups may be eligible for reduced fees or exemptions. These include:

  • Students applying for a student visa may be eligible for a reduced fee.
  • Researchers coming to Ireland under certain research programs might be exempt from visa fees.
  • Immediate family members of EU/EEA citizens may be exempt from visa fees when applying to join their family in Ireland.
  • Applicants travelling for humanitarian reasons may be eligible for fee exemptions.

Visa Office

Immigration Service Delivery
Department of Justice
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
D02 XK70
Ireland

Website: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/

Email: [email protected]

Re-entry Visa Processing Office

Department of Justice

Immigration Service Delivery
13/14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
Ireland

Opening Hours: 8.30 am - 1:30 pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays)

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Steps to Legalizing and Translating a Document in Ireland

How to Apply for a Divorce in Ireland

Frequently Asked Questions

What activities are permissible under a Tourist Visa?
A tourist visa allows activities such as sightseeing, visiting friends and family, attending short-term courses, and other leisure activities. Working or studying is not permitted under a tourist visa.
No, you cannot convert a visit visa to a work permit while in Ireland. You must return to your home country and apply for a work permit from there.
Ireland visa decisions are based on the information provided in your application, including the purpose of your visit, your financial stability, and your intention to return to your home country.
Yes, the initial Irish visa application can be completed online. However, you may need to submit supporting documents in person or by post.
The main work visas are the General Employment Permit and the Critical Skills Employment Permit.
The main work visas are the General Employment Permit and the Critical Skills Employment Permit.
The duration of an Irish visa depends on the type. Tourist visas are typically valid for up to 90 days, while work and student visas can be valid for several years.
Apply for your Irish visa at least three months before your intended travel date to ensure enough processing time.
A Type D visa is a long-stay visa for stays longer than 90 days, including work, study, and joining family visas.
A Type C visa is a short-stay visa for visits of up to 90 days, such as tourism or business trips.

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