irish tourist visa tracking

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Visas for tourists visiting Ireland

Who needs a short-stay visa for ireland, how to apply for a short-stay visa, documents to send for a short-stay visa, decisions and appeals, can i stay longer than 3 months, further information.

If you plan to visit Ireland, you should check if you need a visa .

This page has information on how to apply for a short-stay visa. This is also called a ‘C’ visa and is usually valid for up to 90 days from the issue date of the visa. You apply for a C visa if you plan to come to Ireland:

• For tourism
• To visit family or friends
• To get married
• For medical treatment
• For short-term study

If you are not a citizen of the EU, EEA, Switzerland or UK and you do not need a visa to come to Ireland, you still need to have documents with you to show the reason for your visit. You must present yourself at immigration when you enter Ireland.

Having a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter Ireland .

You apply for a visa online. You complete a separate application for each person travelling, including children. After you have submitted the visa form, you have 30 days to send the supporting documents. It’s a good idea to prepare your documents before completing the form.

You pay a fee of €60 for each application. A multiple entry visa costs €100.

When you have submitted the form, you will get a summary of your application. This includes:

• Your visa application transaction number
• Your application summary sheet
• Details of the application office where you should send your documents

You send the signed summary sheet with your documents.

You must send documents in support of your application. This section has information on the main documents you need to send. You can get more information about documentation on the Irish Immigration Delivery website.

You must send original documents (not photocopies). If your documents are not in English, you must send a certified translation and the original document.

Birth, marriage and death certificates will be returned to you. If you want other pages returned to you, you should include a note with your application that says this. Send a photocopy (in addition to the original) of the page you want returned to you.

If your visa is approved, you must get travel insurance before you travel to Ireland.

Letter of application

You must write a letter that explains why you want to come to Ireland. You should give the details of your trip, including the dates you plan to be here, where you will stay and how you will pay for things while you are here.

You must say in your letter that you will:

• Obey the conditions of your visa in full
• Leave Ireland before your visa expires
• Not rely on public services or become a burden on the State

If you are visiting friends or family your letter should also have:

• Their names and addresses
• The names and addresses of any of your family who live in Ireland or another country in the EEA or Switzerland, even if you do not plan to visit them

Letter of invitation

If you are visiting someone in Ireland, you should send a letter of invitation written by them. The letter should have information about how they know you, the dates you are visiting them and why they are inviting you to Ireland.

They should include a colour copy of their passport or national identity card. If they are from outside the EEA, Switzerland and UK, they must include a copy of their Irish Resident Permit and the current immigration stamp in their passport.

The letter must also say that they understand you must:

Information about where you will stay

You must include the details of where you will stay. You should include printouts of your booking confirmations. If you are staying with friends, family or colleagues, see ‘letter of invitation’ above.

You must send your current passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Ireland. You must also send a photocopy of each page of all of your previous passports.

Proof of finances

You must show that you have the money you need for your trip. If someone else is paying for your visit (for example a family member), you should send documents to show that they can afford to pay for you.

You don’t need to have a particular or set amount of money to qualify for a short-stay visa.

Passport photos

Include 2 passport photos. You must sign your name and put your visa application transaction number on the back of each photo.

Show that you must return home

You must show that you have strong ties to your home country and that you must return home. This could be family responsibilities, work, education or something else. You should send proof of these responsibilities. For example, if you are working you should send a letter from your employer and recent payslips.

You can read more details of the documents you need on the Immigration Service Delivery website.

If you sent your application to Dublin, you can check visa decisions and waiting times . If you sent your application somewhere else, you can contact the embassy or consulate you sent your documents to for updates on your application. Applications take around 8 weeks, but may take longer.

If your visa application is successful, the visa office will post your passport back to you with the visa attached. The visa will be valid for a particular period. Having a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter Ireland .

You will get a letter that says why your visa application was refused. You can appeal this decision within 2 months.

You are expected to leave the State on or before the date which has been stamped on your passport by the Immigration Officer when you entered.

You can only extend your visa if there is an unexpected change in your circumstances since you entered Ireland.

You cannot get an extension if:

• There is no change in circumstances from the time you entered Ireland
• There is no change in circumstances from the time you were granted a travel visa
• You are in Ireland to seek medical attention
• You are seeking a permission to marry in Ireland
• You are in Ireland to provide childcare facilities
• You wish to live in Ireland full time

Some people do not have to pay the visa fee .

A visa costs:

Single-journey visa : €60

Multiple-journey visa : €100

If you require a visa in order to visit Ireland, your application must be made online .

Irish embassies and consulates

Visa Office

Immigration Service Delivery 13-14 Burgh Quay Dublin 2 D02 XK70 Ireland

Related documents

• Visas for people visiting Ireland on business Certain people who wish to travel to Ireland for business purposes require visas. Find out more. 1954.4292
• Student visas to study in Ireland People from certain countries who wish to study in Ireland require visas. Find out more. 1065.212
• Returning to Ireland to care for a family member This page includes information on returning to Ireland to care for a family member. 981.42474

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre .

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• Our Ministers

Please be advised that this page has moved and this content is no longer being updated. Up-to-date information is now available at Ireland.ie/dfa/visas-for-ireland .

A visa is a form of pre-entry clearance which allows for travel to Ireland. It does not guarantee permission to enter Ireland. Permission to enter Ireland is granted by an Immigration Officer at the port of entry

In Ireland, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), an Office of the Department of Justice and Equality, is primarily responsible for dealing with immigration and visa matters.

Visas for Ireland

People from certain countries need a visa to enter Ireland. Find out more about applying for an Irish visa.

Visas for going abroad

If you’re travelling abroad, you may need a visa to enter your destination.

US-Ireland visa arrangement

The J1 Working Holiday Agreement between Ireland and the US allows certain categories of Irish and US citizens to work and travel in each country for up to 12 months

Working Holiday Authorisation.

Ireland’s Working Holiday Authorisation agreements with other governments allow young people of both countries to fund an extended holiday through temporary work.

Human trafficking

Human trafficking is a crime and a human rights violation. Find out what we’re doing to fight it.

Embassies information

Get up-to-date information for all our Embassies and Consulates.

Embassy of Ireland, Great Britain

Please be advised that the Embassy of Ireland, Great Britain website has moved and this page is no longer being updated. The Weekly Visa Decision Report is now available at  Ireland.ie/london .

Visa Processing Times and Weekly Decision Reports

Visa processing times, weekly decision report.

Visa applications are processed in the order they are received. The minimum processing times depend on the type of visa you are applying for.

Your application may also take longer if:

• You have not submitted the necessary supporting documentation
• Your supporting documentation needs to be verified
• Because of personal circumstances, e.g. you have a criminal conviction

Note : Processing times can change during the year, e.g. before holiday periods. You are advised not to pay for a travel ticket before you receive a decision on your visa.

The current target processing times for complete visa applications submitted to the Irish Visa Office, London are as follows:

Important Notes

• Processing times can fluctuate during the year, e.g. before holiday periods. You are advised not to pay for a travel ticket before you receive a decision on your visa.
• Incomplete applications may not be accepted or may result in a visa refusal
• The onus is on you, the applicant, to ensure that your fully complete application is submitted in sufficient time for a decision to be made before your date of travel

Your application may also take longer than advertised if:

Each week, a report detailing all decisions made in the previous week at the Visa Office London is posted to this page.

This information is hosted on behalf of the responsible authority, the  Irish Immigration Service , to whom any enquiries should be directed. 

Please use your unique online application number to search these reports for your decision.

London Visa Decisions 02 October 2023 to 24 November 2023 02 October to 24 November 2023

London Visa Decisions 07 August 2023 to 29 September 2023 07 August to 29 September 2023

Related Links:

Irish Embassies Abroad

Embassies in Ireland

Assistance abroad

Travel Advice

Citizens' Registration

Top Passport Questions

Visa Information

Select the visa type that is right for you to see important information on visa fees, documents required, forms, photo specifications and processing times.

Documents Required

Photo specifications, processing time, download forms.

If you would like to visit Ireland for a short period (less than 3 months) for the purpose of tourism, attend an event, undertake short-term study etc. you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Tourist visa applications here .

If you would like to visit Ireland for a short period (less than 3 months) to visit family and friends in Ireland you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Family/Friend visa applications here .

Some customers are required to pay a visa fee, while others are exempt. Please refer here for information

If you are resident in the UK and you are a national of a country included in the Irish Visa Waiver Programme you require a separate Irish visa but you are not required to pay an application fee. Please refer to the Irish Visa Waiver Programme information note for details.

Applicable visa fee, in Pound Sterling (£), is as per the current exchange rate and may be subject to change without notice.

VFS service fee (inclusive of VAT) is charged per visa application, in addition to the applicable visa fee. . If you are not required to pay a visa application fee you will be required to pay the VFS service fee only.

All fees can be paid by Credit/Debit Card.

Cash payments are only accepted in London.

Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.

All fees are non-refundable.

Along with your application form we will need to submit the supporting documents detailed in the link below.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

You are advised not to purchase travel tickets before you know the outcome of your visa application.

Photocopies of your bio page and all visas and stamps in your passport(s)- all immigration stamps and visas for all travel must be submitted. (Not only those relating to the UK and Ireland)

The onus is on you, the customer, to ensure that your fully complete application is submitted in sufficient time for a decision to be made before your date of travel.

• The photograph for each customer must be an un-mounted, full face photo, color photo as described below
• The photograph must have been taken within the last six months.
• 1 photo must be submitted.

The photo for each customer submitted must measure:

• 35 mm x 45 mm with the head centered in the frame.
• The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure at least 30 mm

Photo Appearance

• The photograph must be a full-face front view in which the visa applicant is facing the camera directly.
• The face should cover about 70-80 percent of the photo area.
• The photograph MUST be in color and have only a white or light background. Photos with dark, busy, or patterned backgrounds will not be accepted
• In general, the customers head, including both face and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on top and bottom and from hairline side-to-side. It is preferable that ears be exposed
• Sunglasses or other wear, which detracts from the face, are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons (an eye patch, for example).
• A photograph depicting a person wearing a traditional facemask or veil that does not permit adequate identification is not acceptable.

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete.

You can apply for a visit visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to Ireland.

Visa applications are processed in the order they are received. The minimum processing times depend on the type of visa you are applying for.

Your application may also take longer if:

• You have not submitted the necessary supporting documentation
• Your supporting documentation needs to be verified
• Because of personal circumstances, e.g. you have a criminal conviction

Note: Processing times can change during the year, e.g. before holiday periods. You are advised not to pay for a travel ticket before you receive a decision on your visa.

The current target processing times for complete visa applications submitted to the Irish Visa Office, London are as follows:

Complete the online application form

You can apply for this visa if you are working outside Ireland and want to come to Ireland to carry out activities relating to your job, such as to attend meetings, attend trade shows for promotional work, arrange deals or negotiate or sign trade agreements or contracts, or carry out fact finding missions. Applicant will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category.

More information on this visa type is available here

Please follow this link in order to ascertain whether you require a visa to travel to Ireland: Click Here

VFS service fee (inclusive of VAT) is charged per visa application, in addition to the applicable visa fee. If you are not required to pay a visa application fee you will be required to pay the VFS service fee only.

Photocopies of the bio page and all visas and stamps in your passport(s) must be submitted. (All immigration stamps and visas for all travel, not only those relating to the UK and Ireland)

For most Short Stay visas, you can expect a decision within 8 weeks of the application being received by the London Visa Office. Applications for Long Stay visas may take longer.

Note : Processing times can change during the year, e.g. before holiday periods. You are advised not to pay for a travel ticket before you receive a decision on your visa.

Important Notes

Processing times can fluctuate during the year, e.g. before holiday periods. You are advised not to pay for a travel ticket before you receive a decision on your visa.

Incomplete applications may not be accepted or may result in a visa refusal

The onus is on you, the applicant, to ensure that your fully complete application is submitted in sufficient time for a decision to be made before your date of travel

Your application may also take longer than advertised if:

More information on this visa type is available here .

You can apply for this visa if you want to travel to Ireland for a conference, relating to your work, studies, or for an event. Customers will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category.

You can apply for this visa if you are required to work in Ireland. Customer will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category.

Exam / Interview

An interview visa may be used only attend an interview for a job that is on the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations (HSEO) list . To attend a job interview, apply for a visa under the category 'Other' (not 'Employment') when submitting your application online.

If you are a visa-required national and coming to Ireland to take examination/ interview you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for exam/ interview visa applications on this page. Applicants will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category.

Join Family

If you wish to come to Ireland to reside for longer than 3 months with a family member who is an Irish citizen or who is lawfully resident in Ireland you can apply for a long stay (join family) visa.

A comprehensive statement of national immigration policy on the area of family reunification is contained in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification published on 31 December 2013.

The policies outlined in the document apply to all decision making in relation to family reunification cases where ministerial discretion applies including long stay (join family) visa applications.

The policies do not apply to:

• applications pursuant to Directive 2504/38/EC on the rights of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of Member States
• Customers for family reunification by recognised refugees or persons granted subsidiary protection.

Before you apply for a long stay (join family) visa please read the Policy Document carefully to find out:

• who is eligible to be a sponsor for the purposes of an application for family reunification,
• who may be sponsored and the eligibility requirements,
• whether waiting periods apply before a person becomes eligible to sponsor,
• whether a sponsor must achieve a minimum level of earnings prior to being eligible to sponsor,
• what a person who is granted a join family visa may do in Ireland,
• how dependency is measured when this is adduced in support of an application for family reunification.

Customer will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category.

If you hold other passports, or have held previous passports, you must also submit them with your application. If you are unable to do so include a written explanation with any relevant police reports.

You can apply for a study visa if you are planning to come to Ireland to undertake a course of study.

You can apply for a study visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to Ireland. Please follow this link in order to ascertain whether you require a visa to travel to Ireland: Click Here

You can apply for this visa if you are required to travel to Ireland as a Volunteer. Customer will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category.

Please follow the link to know more about Volunteering in Ireland: Click Here

Please follow the link to know more about Minister of Religion: Click Here

Family Members Of Eu/eea/swiss Citizens

Applications under the European Directive 2004/38/EC (Free Movement Directive) may be submitted through this office.

Information about this type of visa application is available here

Information about the type of documentation that should be included for consideration for this type of application is available here

Note : Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete.

Performance Visa

This visa type should be used if you intend to stage a performance or take part in a competitive tournament, information is available here