Bukola Edgar
This post is also available in:English /
Updated:
Jun 26, 2025
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:
Tourist visa
Business visa
Conference/Event visa
Short-term study visa
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 the long-stay visas:
Student visa
Work visa
Join family visa
Researcher visa
Volunteer visa
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:
Afghanistan
Ghana
Albania
Honduras
Bolivia
Iran
Cuba
Iraq
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Lebanon
Dominica
Moldova
Eritrea
Nigeria
Ethiopia
Somalia
Georgia
Sri 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:
Volunteer
Minister of religion
De facto partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit or Hosting Agreement holder
Collect all necessary documents, including certified translations (if you have foreign language documents).
Make visa payments online.
Submit your application and documents to the appropriate visa office or embassy.
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
