Visa Requirements for Visiting Ireland

Visiting Ireland is straightforward, especially for travelers coming from countries that do not require a visa or those with whom Ireland has a visa waiver agreement. Nevertheless, those coming from countries with visa requirements may find the process to be more complicated. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Do You Need a Visa to Visit the Republic of Ireland?

If you are from the EEA (the EU plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) or Switzerland, you do not require a visa to visit or work in the Republic of Ireland, as it is part of the EU.

British citizens in Ireland and Irish citizens in the UK (including Northern Ireland) hold a unique position due to the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement, enabling them to travel and work freely between the two regions.

US citizens may visit Ireland without a visa for tourism or business for stays up to 90 days. Your passport must remain valid for the duration of your stay. For stays longer than 90 days or if you intend to work or study, you will need to apply for a visa through the official Irish Embassy.

Ireland has a visa waiver agreement with 56 additional countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. A complete list of exempt countries can be found on the Citizens Information website.

Visa Requirements for the Rest of the World

Citizens from countries not covered by visa exemption must apply for a short stay “C” visa to visit Ireland, irrespective of the reason—be it tourism, visiting family, or even transit through Ireland.

The application process is comprehensively detailed by the Irish Immigration Service, and every traveler must complete this application prior to their departure to Ireland. Families traveling together must submit individual applications, as a family visa option is not available.

Working Holiday Visas

Citizens from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States may be eligible to apply for a Working Holiday Authorization through the Irish embassy in their home country. This visa allows individuals aged 18 to 30 (35 in certain cases) to work in Ireland for a limited period.

Regardless of your origin, if you plan to stay in Ireland for more than 90 days, you must register for an Irish Residence Permit promptly upon arrival.

Visa Costs

There are three types of short-stay visas available:

• A single-entry visa costs €60.
• A multi-entry visa, which allows multiple entries within the visa’s validity period, costs €100.
• A transit visa is available for €25.

These charges cover only the administrative processing fee; additional documentation requirements may incur further costs. For the most accurate fee information, you should consult the Irish embassy or consulate in your country.

Visiting Northern Ireland

While Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and not part of the EU, there is no physical border dividing the Republic from Northern Ireland, facilitating seamless travel between the two regions.

For citizens of the EEA, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, South Africa, and the USA, visas are generally unnecessary for tourism or family visits lasting up to six months.

Since 2022, citizens from visa-required countries are eligible under the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS), enabling them to use a British short-stay visa for entry into Ireland and vice versa. Visas valid under this scheme will carry the “BIVS” endorsement.

Travelers requiring a visa should apply in the country where they will arrive first, typically Dublin for international flights, or Belfast for arrivals into Northern Ireland. Applicable visa costs for the UK are approximately £115 and are valid for six months.

Plan Your Trip to Ireland

Now that you are equipped with essential knowledge regarding visas, consider these next steps to ensure a successful trip to Ireland:

• Explore guides on top attractions and activities to enrich your travel experience.
• Research the best times of year to visit to enjoy favorable weather and events.
• Familiarize yourself with transportation options to navigate Ireland efficiently.
• Consider scenic road trips to discover all of Ireland’s highlights.
• Don’t miss out on outdoor adventures; look into popular hiking trails.

This content was published on March 23, 2021, and has been updated as of March 30, 2024.