Ireland Tourist Visa: All you need to know

All you need to know about the Ireland Tourist Visa

Last updated: April 2023

We currently don't offer this visa, but you can find more info on the Irish government website.

Welcome to the Ireland Tourist Visa application guide. Find out more about the visa process, costs, and entry requirements for Ireland.

What is the Ireland Tourist Visa?

The Ireland Visa is an official document allowing eligible travelers to visit Ireland. It’s also called the short stay ‘C’ visit (tourist) visa.

When applying for the Ireland Tourist Visa online, it's important to remember that you must clearly state the purpose of your visit.

What can you do with the Ireland Tourist Visa?

Depending on the chosen travel purpose of your trip to Ireland, you can do the following activities:

• Tourism
• Visit family or friends
• Get married
• Get medical treatment
• Short-term courses

What can’t you do with the Ireland Tourist Visa?

Keep in mind that you can’t work or live in Ireland with this visa.

You also can’t use a publicly funded service while in the country, such as a public hospital. We recommend having travel insurance to cover emergency medical treatment.

For further information about a work visa or residence permit, check the website of the Irish government immigration service here.

Which nationalities must have Tourist Visas for Ireland?

Any traveler who does not qualify for one of the visa exemptions below must apply for an Irish visa in advance at the nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate.

Who is visa-exempt for Ireland?

Citizens of the following countries and territories can visit Ireland without a visa:

• United Kingdom citizens and British (overseas) citizens
• All European Union citizens
• Citizens of EFTA member states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland)
• Those on the list of visa-free countries
• Certain nationalities holding a short-stay visa for the United Kingdom, under the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme

Do minors/children have to apply for the Ireland Visa?

Yes, if they are from an eligible country. A parent or legal guardian should make a tourist visa application for any minors or children (younger than 18 years old).

How long is the Ireland Tourist Visa valid?

The Irish Visa is typically valid for stays up to 3 months.

The Irish government decides the validity during the application process based on your nationality, travel purpose, and individual circumstances.

Can I extend the Ireland Tourist Visa?

To extend your visa in Ireland, it is necessary to demonstrate an unforeseen change in your circumstances since your initial entry.

An extension will not be granted if there’s not been a change in your circumstances since you entered Ireland. It's essential to prove the reasons for extending your visa.

Ireland Visa application: Required documents

To apply for the Ireland Tourist Visa, you must submit the following documents:

• Valid passport: It must have at least 6 months of validity from the departure date from Ireland and 2 blank pages for stamps

• Two color passport photos: Recently taken

• Complete visa application form: Printed and signed

• Proof of sufficient funds: Provide bank statements showing your income and savings, including a letter explaining any large amounts moving in and out of your account

• Application letter: Giving full details of the reason for your visit to Ireland (holiday, visiting family and/or friends, etc.)

• Proof of ties to your home country: Such as payslips from the last three months and a letter from your employer, a letter from your college or university, evidence of owned property or rental agreement in your name, or details of family members living in your country

• Proof of accommodation: Such as reservation confirmations for accommodation or proof of address of your host

• In some cases, the Irish immigration office may request proof that you have travel/medical insurance to make a decision

Please note that you must have travel health insurance to enter Ireland even after your visa has been approved without providing this.

• If you apply for the Ireland Tourist Visa in a different country of your citizenship, you must present proof of legal residency status there

• If you have faced a previous refusal for an Ireland Tourist Visa or another visa, or have been deported from any country in the past, you must disclose the details and documentation

• Residents living in China, Hong Kong, India, Nigeria, or Pakistan, must provide biometric info each time they apply for the Ireland Visit Visa

Additional documentation based on the purpose of your trip to Ireland

Depending on the purpose of your journey, the government requires additional specific documents, as explained below:

To visit family and/or friends:

• Invitation letter from the host, including the reason they are inviting you to Ireland, the dates they plan to see you in Ireland, and a description of how they know you

For studying purposes:

• A study plan, including the dates of your course and a confirmation letter of the placement

• Invitation letter from the educational institution

For marriage purposes:

• Evidence of your intention to marry, including the Acknowledgement from the Registrar confirming the date of receipt of notification of intention to marry or enter into a civil partnership, and the Marriage Registration Form (MRF)

• Evidence of your relationship history

• Divorce or dissolution of civil partnership certificate from previous relationships

For medical purposes:

• Letter from your referring hospital

• Letter from your private hospital in Ireland

• A letter stating your travel itinerary from your current location to Ireland

All documents must be in English (or be accompanied by a notarized translation).

Ireland Visa application: Financial requirements

There is no specific amount that you must have to get a visa for Ireland.

However, you must show that you can pay for your flights, daily expenses, and any planned activities, based on the purpose of your trip. Travel/medical insurance is also helpful to have.

Make sure to include an up-to-date bank statement along with your documents. Here's what the bank statement should note:

• It should be an original document on official bank paper

• Your name and address should be clearly mentioned

• The statement should display your bank account number and the type of account, such as checking/current account or savings and deposit account

• It should show the incoming and outgoing transactions in the account over the past six months

• If you're providing a bank statement from a savings and deposit account, you'll need to include an original letter from your bank on their official letterhead. This letter must confirm your ability to withdraw money from that account

If you have a friend or family member in Ireland contributing to your trip expenses, estimate how much they'll be spending in Euros and what they'll cover (if applicable), like the cost of plane tickets.

Your friend or family member needs to show they can afford these expenses by providing bank statements, payslips, and a letter from their employer. This rule applies to any friends or family members.

Additional documents for minors/children

To travel to Ireland with a minor or child, also provide the following documents:

• The child’s birth certificate

• A copy of both parents’ passports or IDs

• If one of the minor's parents has deceased, you must present the original Death Certificate

• If one of the minor's parents has sole custody, you must present the original court order granting custody to the concerned parent

• If the minor travels with one of the parents, or legal guardian, a copy of the other parent/legal guardian’s passport or ID and consent letter are required

If the minor is traveling with someone who is not their parent or legal guardian, or if the minor is traveling alone, you will need the following documents:

• A consent letter signed by both parents or legal guardians for each minor

• A copy of both parents' passports or IDs

How to apply for the Ireland Tourist Visa online

To apply for the Ireland Tourist Visa, go to the official application website of the Irish authorities and follow the instructions.

Once completed, wait for the embassy's response, receive your visa, and get ready to travel!

Ireland Visa costs and processing time

After you've submitted your application to the foreign affairs department of Ireland, the general processing time is around 8 weeks, but this varies per application.

The government fee for a single-entry visa is US$65 (at the time of writing).

Need more info about the Ireland Visa?

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