Ireland Visas Guide

Citizens from some countries must apply for an entry visa before travelling to the Republic of Ireland. It is important to check if you need one before booking your ticket. You may need to apply for a visa if you are not a citizen of the UK, Switzerland or a country in the European Economic Area. 

Having a visa does not guarantee an entry in the country. You must present your passport and documents to immigration control when you arrive at the point of entry, and the immigration officer may still refuse you entry. 

Who needs a visa before entering Ireland?

You do not need a visa to enter Ireland if you:

• Are a citizen of the EU or the EEA (the EU plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) or Switzerland
• Have a residence card issued by an EEA country or Switzerland because you are the family member of an EEA or Swiss citizen living in a country outside the EEA/Swiss family member’s home country (for example, you live in Germany with your French spouse)
• Have a UK short-stay visa and qualify for the short-stay visa waiver or the British-Irish Visa Scheme (see ‘Visa waivers for UK visa holders’ below)
• Are a school student who lives in an EU/EEA country, and you are travelling as part of a school trip (see ‘School Student Visa Waiver’ below)
• Are you a citizen of a country listed in the table below?

Note Visa free travel also applies to the following types of British nationality:

• British national (overseas)
• British overseas territories citizen (previously called ‘British dependent territories citizenship)
• British overseas citizen

Types of Visa in Ireland

The types of visas in Ireland depend on the duration of your stay in the country. 

Short Stay Visa

It is for people coming to Ireland for a stay of less than 3 months. If you intend to visit Ireland as a tourist, you will need to apply for a Short Stay “C” Visa. 

Type of Short-Stay Visa includes:

• Visit Visa
• Business Visa
• Conference Visa
• Exam or Interview Visa
• Performance Visa

Long Stay “D” Visa

A Long Stay “D” Visa is for people coming to Ireland for more than 3 months. The type of visa is good for those coming to study and even settle in Ireland.

Type of Long-Stay Visa includes:

• Employment Visa
• Join Spouse 
• Student Visas
• Join Family 

Transit Visa

If you are travelling through Ireland to another country, you may need a transit visa. 

Countries that require an Irish transit visa

Visa Waivers for UK visa holders

Short-Stay Visa Waiver Programme allows nationals of some countries, who have entered the United Kingdom on some UK short-stay visas to travel to Ireland without the requirement to obtain an Irish visa. You can be eligible for a visa waiver if:

You have a valid UK short-stay visa

Your visit to Ireland ends before your permission to stay in the UK ends,

Your passport was issued by one of the countries listed

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Kosovo

Montenegro

Republic if North Macedonia

Serbia

Turkiye

Ukraine

Bahrain

Kuwait

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

India

Indonesia

Kazakhstan

People's Republic of China

Thailand

Uzbekistan

Vietnam

Colombia

Peru.

Where to apply for an Irish Visa?

The Republic of Ireland does not have Embassies and consulates in any countries. Citizens of some countries will have to submit their application online. In some cases, visa applications are processed by the VFS Global company on behalf of the country. 

Please check the link below to see if your country of residence has an Irish embassy or consulate.