The Republic of Ireland offers different kinds of visas to international travelers and migrants based on their purpose of visit. You can choose from one among the long-stay visas or short-stay visas to Ireland depending on whether you plan to travel to this country as a student, an employee, a tourist or as a dependent family member.
What Attracts People To Ireland?
Ireland is famous for its rich culture and heritage and the welcoming nature of its citizens. The country is breathtakingly beautiful and has a magnificent history.
The beautiful landscape, heritage sites, ancient castles and the friendly nature of people are the main reasons behind tourists coming into this country from all over the world.
The excellent job opportunities and good lifestyle attract skilled workers and professionals from around the globe to Ireland. The world-class degrees and diplomas offered by some of the best colleges and universities in Ireland attract international students in huge numbers.
Do All People From Outside Ireland Require An Irish Visa?
An Irish visa is not necessary for people living in certain countries.
- The UK
- Switzerland
- People belonging to the countries in the EU
- People belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA)
- The citizens from the United Kingdom can live and move around in Ireland. No restrictions or specific conditions apply to them under the CTA or the Common Travel Arrangement.
- The people belonging to EEA, EU or Switzerland also do not require a work permit or visa to live and work in Ireland.
Different Types Of Visas To Ireland
Ireland offers several short-stay visas and long-stay visas depending on your purpose of visit. You can apply for an Irish visa at the Irish consulate or embassy within your country of residence. You can apply for an Irish visa for the following.
- To pursue higher education
- To invest in a business
- For employment
- To go on a holiday
- For medical treatment and hospitalization
- To attend an event or conference
- For a short-term course
- For transit
- To join a family member
- To be a permanent resident
Short-Stay Visas To Ireland
Given below are some of the short-stay visas to Ireland that allow you to stay up to a maximum of 90 days within the country. The short-stay visas are also referred to as ‘C-Visas’.
Tourist Visa
- You can travel to Ireland for a maximum of 90 days with a tourist visa.
- You can also do a short-term course in Ireland with this visa.
- You are restricted from doing any paid or unpaid work using this visa
- You cannot use any services that are publically funded
Business Visa
A short-stay business visa allows the applicant to travel in the country for a maximum of 90 days for business.
- You can work up to 14 days using this visa
- The applicant can use this time for business negotiations, for signing contracts/agreements
- Attend workshops and meetings
Event/Conference Visa
- Event/conference visa is a ‘C-Visa’ that allows you to be in Ireland for a maximum of 90 days to attend a seminar/conference/symposium/other events.
- These events must be for academic reasons or related to your work/business
Visa For Family/Friends
- Using this short-stay ‘C-Visa’ the applicant can travel in Ireland for a maximum of 90 days to visit friends or family who are residents there
- You are restricted from working or using public services under this visa
Short-Stay Visa For Exams
- The exam visa lets the applicant travel to Ireland and stay there for a maximum of 90 days to appear for an exam that is part of the course you are doing or a part of your work.
- This can be an exam for a distance education program or an accreditation examination for accountants or PRES exam for doctors
- You are not allowed to do any unpaid or paid work using this visa
- The applicant cannot use any public services for the Irish (eg: medical services for the public)
Short-Term Visa For Employment
- The applicant is allowed to apply for an Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) employment visa if she/he has the approval from the AWS division to take up employment in Ireland for a short period.
- You can apply for the visa at least 3 months before your date of journey to Ireland.
Visa To Join Ship- Short-Stay Visa
- This short-stay ‘C-Visa’ allows you to travel to Ireland to join a ship that leaves from there.
- A Seafarer does not require a visa if he/she holds proof of identity for a seafarer issued by a nation that has signed the ILO’s convention on documents of the seafarer’s identity.
Visa For Medical Treatment- Short Stay
- The applicant can stay in Ireland for a maximum of 90 days for private medical and health care treatment.
- You require sufficient funds to take care of the entire medical expenses in Ireland
- A confirmed medical appointment with one of the private hospitals in Ireland is necessary.
- You cannot take medical assistance at any of the Irish public hospitals
Training Irish Visa- Short-Stay
- This ‘C-Visa’ allows you to attend a training program in Ireland provided you stay do not exceed the maximum limit of 90 days.
- The training can be part of your work or a professional course
Tournament/Performance Visa- Short-Stay
- This short-stay visa allows an individual to travel to Ireland for a maximum of 90 days.
- This visa allows you to take part in a sports tournament/ cultural competition or to be a part of theatre/stage performance
- The maximum time limit for the event should be 14 days or less.
- Music/theatre/dance performance
- Sports/ Indoor tournaments/ debates
Short-Stay Irish Visa For Civil Partnership/Marriage
- The applicant and the prospective civil partner/spouse must receive an acknowledgment from the registrar.
- The acknowledgment should confirm the date when the notification of your intention to enter into a civil partnership/marriage was received by the registrar.
- You can apply for this visa 3 months before your date of journey to Ireland.
Long-Stay Visas To Ireland
A long-stay visa to Ireland is necessary if your period of stay would exceed 90 days. This visa is also referred to as the ‘D-Visa’. Given below are some of the long-stay visas offered by Ireland.
Student visa
To undertake a course that would exceed three months the international student is required to apply for a long-stay student visa.
- You can apply for the visa 3 months before your date of journey to Ireland.
- You need to submit the proof showing that you’ve been accepted by one of the recognized colleges/schools/universities for a particular course.
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the entire course fee and living expenses in Ireland during that period.
- Clear the test proving your proficiency in the English language
Visa For Employment
- To apply for an employment visa you need to have obtained an employment permit from the DJEI (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)
- DJEI issues different kinds of work permits depending on the type of job
- These permits include work permits, critical skills employment permits, etc.
- You can apply for this visa 3 months before your intended date of journey to Ireland.
Scientific Researcher Employment Visa
- An individual who wishes to migrate to Ireland for research needs to apply for a scientific researcher employment visa.
- If your family intends to accompany the applicant to Ireland they must submit separate visa applications. (Join family visa application)
Employment Van Der Elst Visa- Long-Term
- An individual can apply for this visa if he/she is a legal resident of the EU state where the employer is based
- He/she is a legal employee there
- She/he is on the that employer’s payroll
- Moving to Ireland to give the necessary services on the employer’s behalf
- Moving to Ireland for a short period that is for a maximum of 12 months
D-Visa ToJoin Family
- If you wish to stay in Ireland for a period above three months with a family member who is an Irish resident or an Irish citizen you need to apply for a long-stay D-Visa.
- The visa is referred to as the Join family visa
Visa For Volunteering In Ireland
- With this visa, you can work as a volunteer in Ireland for an organization that is considered eligible.
- You can work as a volunteer for a maximum of two years.
- There is an option to extend this period for a 3rd year as well
- This visa is not necessary if you plan to stay in Ireland for less than 3 months.
Visa For Minister Of Religion
- With this visa, a religious minister can work along with an eligible religious organization in Ireland
- He/she can work to a maximum of 3 years
- There is a possibility to extend this visa for another 3 years as well
Irish Visa To Travel With An EU/Swiss/EEA Family (You Do Not Belong To Any Of These Countries)
- If you wish to accompany your EU/EEA/Swiss family member to Ireland you are required to apply for a visa.
- If your intended period of stay is less than 3 months only a short-stay ‘C-Visa’ is required.
- If you intend to stay longer than that you have to apply for a ‘Residence Card’.
- The qualifying family members do not have to pay a visa fee for this.
Qualifying family members include the following:
- Dependent parent
- Your spouse
- Your child who is below 21 years of age
- A child of your spouse who is below 21
- A child who is adopted (Requires legal proof)
- Dependent parent of your spouse
- Your grandparent/grandchild
- Grandparent/ grandchild of your spouse
Single Entry Visa
- With this visa, you can travel to Ireland on a single occasion before the date of validity on your visa expires.
Multiple Entry Visa
- With a multiple entry visa, you can make several short trips to Ireland until the date of validity on your Irish visa expires.
- Once you’ve stayed in Ireland for 90 days at a stretch you have to return to your country.
- You cannot re-enter Ireland again immediately
Visa For Transit
Not all passengers traveling through Ireland require a transit visa. However, you would need a transit visa if you intend to stay in Ireland for a few days or if you plan to catch a flight from another destination in Ireland
Passengers from the following nations must have a transit visa while traveling to a different destination through Ireland.
- Albania
- Afghanistan
- Cuba
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Georgia Republic of Congo
- Ghana
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- Moldova
- Nigeria
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Ukraine
- Zimbabwe
All the citizens belonging to those countries outside the European Union and EEA have to apply for a visa and work permit to work and live in Ireland.
Some countries have been given certain exceptions when it comes to immigration. This is based on the type of arrangements Ireland has with that specific country.
Learn what type of arrangement that your country has before applying for visas to Ireland.
