Tourist Visa Ireland
The Ireland Tourist Visa is a form of short stay ‘C’ Visa which permits entry into Ireland for up to 90 days. Our team of dedicated immigration lawyers are here to provide full guidance on the application process for a tourist visa.
Call us on +353 (0) 61 518 025 for immediate help & assistance with your situation. We’re here to help you in person, via the phone or online.
Page Contents
- Who needs a tourist visa?
- Am I eligible for a tourist visa?
- How to apply for Ireland tourist visa?
- Which documents are required?
- What is the tourist application fee?
- What happens after I have completed and sent my tourist visa application?
- Ireland tourist visa processing time
- Ireland visit visa decision and appeal
- What do I do when I arrive in Ireland?
- What is the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme?
- Frequently asked questions
Tourist Visa Application to Visit Ireland
If you are planning to visit Ireland, you may need to apply for a tourist visa. This Short Stay ‘C’ Visa allows you to travel to Ireland for up to 90 days.
This visa can be used if you plan to visit Ireland for standard tourism purposes, or if you want to go to Ireland to study a short-term English language course.
Here at the Immigration Advice Service, we can help you with the full tourist visa application process.
Who needs a Tourist Visa to visit Ireland?
If you are a citizen of a country which is in the EU/EEA, or a citizen of Switzerland, you will not need to apply for a visa if you are travelling to Ireland for up to 90 days.
Citizens of countries who do not have an agreement with Ireland for visa-free travel will need to apply for a Tourist Visa to travel to Ireland for tourism purposes. You must apply for a tourist visa in your home country, or the country where you are legally resident.
The tourist visa is designed for short-term visits of up to 90 days. Unless there are very exceptional circumstances, you will not be able to extend the tourist visa, and you are required to leave Ireland within 90 days of the date of your permitted entry.
This visa does not allow you to do any work in Ireland (whether it is paid or unpaid) and you will also not be able to use any public services.
The tourist visa is the ideal option if you would like to visit Ireland as a tourist, exploring our magnificent country. It can also be applied for if you would like to study a short-term course at a recognised institution in Ireland, such as an English language course.
Am I eligible for an Ireland tourist visa?
Before you begin your tourist visa application, it is important to establish whether you are eligible for a tourist visa.
The most fundamental conditions which you must meet to be eligible for a tourist visa (and any short stay visa) are as follows:
- You must have a passport which is valid for at least six months after your proposed leave from Ireland
- You need to be able to demonstrate that you can support yourself financially for the duration of your stay in Ireland, and not become a financial burden on the state. You will need to provide a detailed bank statement, which covers a period of six months before you apply for a visa, showing that you have sufficient funds
- You must be able to provide details of any previous applications you have made for an Irish visa
In addition to these conditions, you will need to adhere to the following rules and requirements:
- You need to complete all sections of the tourist visa application form
- You must sign the application form yourself. The exception is for an application for a child who is under 18, in which case the parent can sign
- You must provide details of any family members who are currently living in Ireland, or in a country within the EU
- If a child who is under 18 is travelling to Ireland by themselves, both parents/guardians must have given their consent for the visit. If the child is travelling with one parent, consent of the other parent is required
Also, when you make a tourist visa application, the Department of Justice & Equality will consider your immigration history as well as any criminal record.
How to apply for Ireland tourist visa?
The steps to apply for the Ireland tourist visa are as follows:
- Ensure that you meet all of the eligibility criteria for the visa and that you have all necessary supporting documents to hand.
- Visit the AVATS online visa portal.
- Start to fill in the online application with your personal details and details of the visa you wish to apply for. In this instance, you should select the ‘Short Stay (C)’ visa type, with ‘Visit Tourist’ being your reason for travel.
- When you’ve finished filling in the application, ensure you take a note of your visa application transaction number.
- Print out, sign and date the application summary sheets. These should then be sent to one of the following as noted on the summary sheet:
- The Dublin visa office
- An international visa office
- An Irish embassy or consulate
- Pay the application fee. How you pay this fee will vary based on the application office you send your application to.
What documents do I need to provide with the tourist visa application?
As part of the tourist or visitor visa application process, you will need to provide a number of documents with your completed application form. The specific documents which you will need to provide depends on your particular circumstances.
Still, the following documents will need to be provided with all tourist visa applications:
- Application summary sheet
- Full details of the reason for your visit to Ireland
- Your valid passport and, if possible, a photocopy of each page from previous passports
- Two passport-sized colour photographs with your signature and Visa Application Tracking Number on the back of both of them
- A letter provided by a reference in Ireland, inviting you to come to Ireland
- Details of your relationship with your reference. If the reference is not an Irish citizen, you must be able to provide evidence of their permission to remain in Ireland
- If you are going to be staying at a hotel, you will need to provide a document showing the details of your booking
- Written confirmation from both yourself and your reference which confirms that you will not fall foul of any visa conditions, will not become a burden on the state and will leave the state within 90 days of the date of your permission to enter
- Evidence showing that you are obliged to return to your home country. The evidence could be a letter from your employer indicating your proposed return date to work, or from a college which specifies the date a course is due to begin or re-commence
The documents must fall in accordance with the following rules:
- Documents need to be provided in their original form. Photocopies will not be accepted
- Any letters from companies and educational establishments must be on official headed paper
- Documents which are not in English or Irish must be fully translated by a translator who is certified. You will need to provide both the original documents and the translated ones in your application
Here at the IAS we have an unrivalled level of experience in Irish immigration law, and we can provide expert guidance on the required documentation for visitor visa applications. Please do not hesitate to contact us on (+353) 061 518 025 for any help you might need.
What is the tourist visa application fee?
The current fees for tourist visa applications are as follows:
- €60 for a single-journey visa
- €100 for a multiple-journey visa
You cannot be reimbursed for the visa application if your application is rejected.
As well as this standard fee, you will need to take into account the costs of any professional translation of your documents.
What happens after I have completed and sent my tourist visa application?
The Department of Justice & Equality will consider your application, examining all the documentation which has been provided.
It is important to provide all the required documentation in its proper form. Failure to do so will result in a delayed decision on your application, and possibly an automatic rejection.
Specifically, Irish immigration officials will check that your application includes signed and dated application summary sheets, that you have paid the application fee and that you have provided all necessary documentation.
Irish immigration officials might contact the Irish police or other government and international departments and agencies if they feel it is necessary.
Ireland tourist visa processing time
The specific time it will take to process your tourist visa will depend on the visa office that will handle your application. Applications may also take longer to process at certain times of year, such as around holiday times.
However, generally speaking, it will normally take around up to 8 weeks for the office to process your application.
If you’ve submitted your application to an Irish embassy, you may be able to view updated decision times via the Visa Processing Times and Weekly Decision Reports.
Ireland visit visa decision and appeal
In order to check the progress on your application, you should contact the visa office, embassy or consulate that processed your application.
If you submitted your application to the Dublin visa office, you’ll be able to check their most recent visa decisions on their website. This list is updated every Tuesday.
If your application is approved, your visa will be placed in a blank page in your passport. You will also have your original documents returned to you by post. You will then be eligible to travel to Ireland.
Note that a visa is not a guarantee of entry into Ireland and you may still be refused entry at the border by an immigration official.
If your application is refused, you will be sent a letter of refusal outlining the reasons why. This letter will also state if you’re eligible to appeal your refusal or not. You will also have your original documents returned to you by post.
If you choose to appeal your refusal, you must do so within 2 months of receiving your letter of refusal.
When appealing the refusal, you must write a letter clearly outlining the reasons why you think the decision should be overturned, citing the original reason for refusal and offering any new information that might help your case.
This letter should then be sent to the address stated on the refusal letter.
What do I need to do when I arrive in Ireland?
It is crucial to understand that even if your visa application was accepted, you are not guaranteed entry into Ireland. Ultimately, a Tourist Visa will grant you permission to travel to Ireland, but not permission to enter.
When you arrive in Ireland, you need to report to immigration officials. You are required to provide your passport, visa and all other relevant documents. In order to make this process as smooth as possible, it is highly recommended that you bring photocopies of your application documents which you can show to border control when you arrive in Ireland.
The immigration official will make a decision based on the information you provide. If they are happy with your information and documentary evidence, you will be given official permission to enter and your passport will be stamped.
If you would like any guidance or advice on the border control process, please do not hesitate to call us on (+353) 061 518 025.
Who does the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme apply to?
The Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme enables citizens of certain countries under specific circumstances (who would otherwise require a visa) to travel to Ireland without the need to apply for a short stay/tourist visa.
If you have been issued with a short-stay UK visa and your visit to Ireland will end before your UK visa expires, you could be eligible for this scheme.
Citizens of the following countries who meet the requirements above will be eligible for the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme:
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Montenegro
- Russian Federation
- Serbia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- India
- Kazakhstan
- People’s Republic of China
- Thailand
- Uzbekistan
Last modified on October 17th, 2023 at 2:56 pm
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Document Check Package
Document checking service that ensures your documents are sufficient to prove your eligibility.
The Advice Package
With our untimed Advice Session, our professional immigration experts will review your case and provide you with comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated caseworker will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your advisor will then complete and submit your forms to the Department of Justice & Equality on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our team and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Document Check Package
Our Document Checking Package is a service for those who need to submit their application but choose to do so on their own but want help with ensuring their documents are in line with the requirements for the visa. Our immigration consultants will check your documents in this case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both the Tourist Visa and the Family or Friends Visa are Short Stay ‘C’ visas. Technically speaking, if your proposed visit to Ireland is solely based on visiting family and friends, you should apply for the Family or Friends Visa.
Just like the tourist or visitor visa, the family or friends visa permits entry into Ireland for up to 90 days. Also, the requirements for this visa are very similar to the tourist visa. For full information about the family or friends visa, including the full requirements, please contact us on (+353) 061 518 025.
Whilst it’s not required by law, we highly recommend employing the services of an experienced immigration firm.
Here at the Immigration Advice Service, we can guide you assist you through the entire application process for a tourist visa, wherever you are located.
Our team of highly experienced immigration law specialists will ensure that your visitor visa application meets the required standards, maximising your chances of a successful application.
We can also offer full guidance on the permission to enter process when you arrive in Ireland.
If you have been offered an employment position for no more than 90 days and you are from a country which doesn’t have a visa agreement with Ireland, you will need to apply for a visa. However, you should not apply for a tourist visa in this situation.
Generally speaking, the visa you need to apply for is the Employment (Atypical Working Scheme) visa. Depending on the nature of your work, you may need to apply for a different visa such as the Performance or Tournament visa, or the Join Ship visa.
For information on the visa which you will need to apply for, you can contact our immigration experts who provide the same advice as an immigration lawyer on (+353) 061 518 025.
The tourist visa allows you to stay in Ireland for up to 90 days, but in almost all cases it cannot be extended. If you would like to stay in Ireland for a longer period of time, you will need to leave the country and apply for a form of long stay ‘D’ visa.
Under very exceptional, unforeseen circumstances an extension to the tourist visa might be granted.
As with short stay ‘C’ visas, even if your long stay visa is accepted, you will still need to report to Irish immigration officials when you arrive in Ireland. You will also need to apply for an official Irish Residency Permit if you enter Ireland under a long stay visa.
You will be allowed to visit Ireland for up to 90 days on a tourist visa.
An Irish single-entry tourist visa costs €60.
A multiple-entry tourist visa costs €100.