Ireland Visa Requirements Guide 2026

Visa requirements for entering Ireland depend on nationality and the purpose of your stay. A visa provides pre-entry clearance but does not guarantee entry, as that decision is made by an Immigration Officer upon arrival.

There are several visa types available for Ireland:

• Short Stay ‘C’ Visa: Available for visits under 90 days (e.g. tourism or business meetings)
• Long Stay ‘D’ Visa: For stays over 3 months (e.g., studying, working, or joining family). Must register for an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) upon arrival
• Transit Visa: Required for travellers passing through Ireland to another country, but does not allow the holder to exit the port of entry

Visa-exempt citizens may still need preclearance for long-term residency, such as volunteering or joining family members.

In general, most visas require the following documentation to be submitted as part of their visa application:

• Visa Application Form (completed online)
• Valid Passport (with blank pages)
• Passport-sized Photos
• Visa Fee Proof
• Proof of Purpose of Travel (e.g. accommodation, financial means)
• Return Evidence and previous visa details if relevant

All documents must be original documents and should be translated into English if they are in a different language.

Page Contents

• Visa Requirements for Entering Ireland
• Checking if You Need an Irish Visa
• Ireland Visa Application Form
• Valid Passport
• Photo Requirements
• Proof of Visa Fee Payment
• Proof of Legal Residence in Your Country
• Proof of Accommodation in Ireland
• Proof of Sufficient Funds
• Details of Your Family or Friends in Ireland
• Details of Previous Visas
• Visa Requirements for Minors
• Additional Requirements for Student Visas
• Additional Requirements if You are on Employment
• Convention Travel Documents
• Document Checklist for Ireland Visa
• How Can IAS Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

An Ireland Visa Application Form is essential for initiating the entry application process. Key requirements include:

• Online Completion: The application must be filled out online using the AVATS system
• No Paper Forms: Applications cannot be submitted using downloaded or paper forms
• Printing and Signing: After completing the form online, applicants must print, sign, and date it
• Submission: The signed application, along with required documents, passport photo, and fee, must be submitted to the designated location specified by the online system

Applicants can submit their visa applications to the following locations within their country:

• Closest Irish Embassy or Consulate, frequently located in a major or capital city
• Dedicated Visa Offices (e.g., in Abu Dhabi, London, New Delhi)
• Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), Dublin

Providing false information can lead to application refusal and affect future applications. Ensure accuracy to avoid complications during the application process.

A valid passport is a core requirement for submitting an Ireland visa application. To be considered valid for the application, the original passport must meet two key conditions:

• It must be valid for at least another six months starting from the date you intend to leave Ireland
• It must have a minimum of two blank visa pages

The application must include the original passport, photocopies of the biometric data pages, and copies of any previously issued visas. If it is not your first passport, you must include all previous or existing passports or a letter explaining why they cannot be included.

For Join Family applications, a colour photocopy of all passport pages is required. Due to processing times, applicants are advised not to borrow the passport during the application review period.

As part of your application, you must include a passport photograph. If photographs do not meet all of the outlined specifications, the application will be considered incomplete.

Two un-mounted, full-face, colour passport-sized pictures taken within the last three months must be submitted. Photos must measure 35 mm x 45 mm, with the head (top of hair to chin) measuring at least 30 mm. The photo must be in colour and feature only a white or light background. The face should cover 70–80% of the area. Sunglasses or traditional veils preventing adequate identification will not be accepted and could lead to your application being refused.

Applicants must pay an Ireland visa processing fee when submitting their application. Proof of payment is a required supporting document for your application. You must include this proof if applying by post. If you submit your application directly at an Irish Embassy or Consulate, payment is often made in cash, meaning separate proof of payment is typically not required.

The Proof of Legal Residence is a mandatory document for Ireland visa applications from non-citizens residing in a country. Key requirements include:

• Demonstration of Legal Status: You must provide documents proving your legal residency in the country you are applying from
• Sufficient Remaining Validity: Show that you have the right to remain for at least three months after your planned departure from Ireland
• Documentation: Include a photocopy (front and back) of your legal residence document, such as a residence card or visa sticker

This proof helps Irish authorities verify your status and ensures your legal right to return home after your visit.

To fulfill the Proof of Accommodation requirement for your visa application, you must submit documents verifying your intended residence during your stay:

• Provide proof of reservation that includes:
  • Your name
  • The dates of your stay
  • The address of the accommodation
• If staying with a friend or family member in Ireland, include:
  • A signed invitation letter from your host with their address
  • A photocopy of their passport’s personal details page and signature
  • If your host is not an EU national, include a photocopy of their residency permission in Ireland
  • Details of your relationship, supported by evidence if possible

Please note that an Immigration Officer at the port of entry may request additional accommodation information upon arrival.

If you plan to stay with a family member or visit friends in Ireland, you must include the following specific details and documents from your host:

1. Signed Letter of Invitation: A signed letter of invitation must be provided by the family member or friend, and this letter must include their address.
2. Host Identification: You must include a photocopy of their passport personal details page and signature.
3. Proof of Legal Residence (Non-EU Host): If your family member or friend is not a national of an EU country, you must provide a photocopy of their permission to legally reside in Ireland.
4. Relationship Details: You must provide details of how you and they know each other. Evidence of this relationship should be provided if it is necessary or possible.

When writing your letter about your purpose of travel, you should mention any family and friends there, regardless of whether you are staying with them or not.

When submitting an application for an Ireland visa, you must include any travel history in Ireland, including:

• Details of all previous Irish visa applications, including any refused applications
• Details of any other visas (from any country) that you were refused
• Photocopies of any documents related to the refusal of any visa application
• When submitting your valid passport, you must also submit photocopies of the biometric data pages of your passport and any previously issued visas

The history of previous visas is particularly relevant if you apply for a multiple entry visa, as applicants must demonstrate they have held at least two previous single journey visas to Ireland, and that they did not overstay their visa validity period.

When applying for a visa that includes a minor, specific documentation and requirements must be submitted:

• The original document and a photocopy of the child’s birth certificate showing both parents’ names
• A letter from the child’s school confirming current enrollment
• Consent from both parents or legal guardians for the child to travel
• The original documents and a photocopy of the documents of both parents/legal guardians, showing pictures and signatures
• If applicable, documents proving sole custody must be provided (both original and copy)

Children under 16 do not receive an IRP, and do not need a re-entry visa to return to Ireland if travelling with parents or guardians who have a valid IRP.

School Student Visa Waiver

School students from visa-required countries living in the EU or EEA can apply for a waiver for school trips. The school principal must complete a waiver application form and present it to immigration authorities upon arrival in Ireland.

These requirements ensure the safety and legal compliance of minors travelling to Ireland.

If you are applying for an Ireland visa to pursue a course of study, you will usually apply for a Long Stay ‘D’ visa, which allows you to reside in Ireland for longer than 90 days.

You must submit a letter from your school as part of your application. This letter must meet strict formatting and content requirements:

• It must be written on a headed letter
• It must include the school’s contact details, such as name, address, phone number, and email address
• It must state the details of your course of study
• It must confirm that you will return to school after the end of your trip to Ireland

If you are granted a long stay visa and intend to remain in Ireland for longer than 3 months, you must register and obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).

Study visas can take longer to process than short-stay visas, and may take 8–12 weeks due to high demand.

Convention Travel Documents (CTDs) are issued to refugees or stateless persons and relate to entry into Ireland.

Currently, visa-free travel for holders of CTDs is suspended. If you hold a refugee travel document issued by a country outside Ireland, you must apply for a visa to enter Ireland. This restriction remains in effect until further notice.

Holders of refugee travel documents are required to apply for an Irish visa through the AVATS online system, submitting their CTD along with other supporting documents instead of a national passport.

The critical regulation is the suspension of visa-free travel, meaning individuals with external refugee travel documents are treated as visa-required nationals. This applies to short-stay visits only and underscores the need for a visa for entry into Ireland.