Traveling to Ireland - formalities and visa requirements

For citizens of over a hundred countries, a valid passport is required to enter Ireland for a stay up to 90 days. The list of visa exempt countries for entering Ireland is available at http://www.citizensinformation.ie/.

For nationals of all other countries, a tourist visa is necessary. Since June 30 2008, tourist visa applications can be submitted to Irish embassies through a new online visa application facility. The list of countries where the online visa application system is supported is available at http://www.inis.gov.ie/s. Fees for the visa apply. 

If the online tourist visa application system is not available in your country, download an application form and contact the Irish consulate or embassy in your area. To contact them, please check the  Irish embassies worldwide directory at http://www.embassiesabroad.com/.

For further information about tourist visa application procedures, check with the Irish consulate or embassy in your home country or visit the Irish immigration website at  http://www.citizensinformation.ie/.

To find out more about tourist visa application procedures and the required documents checklist, visit the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS) website at http://www.inis.gov.ie/.

If you are coming from Afghanistan, Lebanon, Albania, Moldova, Cuba, Montenegro, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Eritrea, Serbia, Ethiopia, Somalia, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Iran, Zimbabwe or Iraq, a transit visa is required if you have to transit through Ireland (by air or sea). For further information, contact the Irish embassy in your country.

 Good to know:

Ireland is not part of the Schengen area. For instance, if you are travelling to Europe with a Schengen visa, you won't be allowed to travel to Ireland unless you hold a valid visa delivered by an Irish consulate or embassy abroad.

 Useful links:

Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS)

Irish consulates and embassies abroad

http://www.embassiesabroad.com