Visa requirements for entering Ireland: If you are traveling to Ireland and you are not a citizen of the UK or a country in the European Economic Area (the EU plus Norway, Iceland, and Lichtenstein), you may need to apply for a visa.
An Irish visa is a certificate on your passport or travel document that allows you to travel to Ireland. You still have to present your passport and documents to immigration control when you arrive at the airport or port. An immigration officer may still refuse entry to Ireland.
If you are traveling with children, you have to apply for a visa for your children too.
Types of visa
The type of visa you need depends on the purpose and length of your stay in Ireland.
Short stay visas
If you want to come to Ireland for less than 3 months, you should apply for a short stay ‘C’ visa. You should apply for this type of visa if you want to come to Ireland as a tourist or to visit someone, for a business meeting, or to attend a short course.
You cannot stay for longer than 3 months on a ‘C’ visa. You must leave Ireland and apply for another visa if you want to return.
Long stay visas
If you want to come to Ireland for more than 3 months, for example, to study, for work, or to settle permanently in Ireland with family members who live in Ireland, then you can apply for an extended stay ‘D’ visa.
If you are granted a long stay ‘D’ visa and wish to remain in the State for longer than 3 months you must register and get an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).
You can read more information about different types of visas available on the ISD website.
Re-entry visas
The first visa issued to you is valid for a single entry to the State. If you wish to leave the State for a short period of time you may need to apply for a re-entry visa – including travel to Northern Ireland.
If you have a valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) you do not need a re-entry visa when traveling to and from Ireland.
Non-EEA nationals aged under 16 do not have to register for an IRP and do not need a re-entry visa to travel to and from Ireland. They must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has legal permission to live in Ireland.
Transit visas
If you are traveling through Ireland on your way to another country, you may need a transit visa when arriving in Ireland on your way to another country. A transit visa does not permit you to leave the port or airport. If you are a citizen of one of the following countries, you will need a valid Irish transit visa when landing in the State:
