This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. These commissions help keep this website up and running, and I thank you for your support. Read my full disclosure here.
Disclaimer: Official policy and legislation regarding immigration continually changes. This information is meant to be used as a guide only. Please refer to the Irish Immigration website for the latest and most up to date information.
If you are visiting Ireland for less than three months, you may need a short stay visa. This post provides an overview of who needs to apply for a short stay visa, the short stay visa types, and how to apply.
Please note: This post relates to the Republic of Ireland only. If you wish to travel to Northern Ireland you will require a UK visa. However, if you wish to enter the Republic of Ireland at any time during your stay in Northern Ireland, you will also require an Irish visa.
Do I Need a Visa to Enter Ireland?
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals (including British dependent territories) do not need a visa to visit Ireland and can enter using either their passport or their national identity card. Those citizens from these visa exempt countries also do not need a visa to enter. There are also other particular circumstances where you might not need a visa, which you can see listed here. However, you will need a visa if you are a citizen of a country on this list.
Even if you don’t require a visa to enter Ireland, all non-EEA nationals must obtain permission to enter Ireland by reporting to an Immigration Officer when you arrive.
If you are not sure if you need a visa, then use this checklist to check if you need a visa.
Types of Short Stay Visas
If you are visiting Ireland for less that three months, there are several types of short stay visas which I have listed below. Click here for more detailed information about each of the short stay visa types.
If you require a visa and don’t have one when you arrive in Ireland, you won’t be allowed to enter the country.
- Tourist visa
- Business visa
- Family or friends visa
- Conference or event visa
- Employment (Atypical Working Scheme) visa
- Exam visa
- Join ship visa
- Marriage visa
- Medical treatment visa
- Performance or tournament visa
- Training visa
- Visa for non-EU/EEA & non-Swiss citizen travelling with EU/EEA/Swiss family
Irish Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme
Under this programme, citizens of holders of certain categories of Short Stay ‘C’ UK visas can travel to Ireland within the time remaining on their current leave to remain in the UK without the requirement to obtain an Irish visa.
Check if you are eligible here.
How to Apply for a Short Stay Visa
To obtain an Irish short stay visa, you need to apply online and pay the relevant fees. To ensure you get your visa in time, you should apply at least 8 weeks before you plan to come to Ireland.
You may be required to attend an interview. If there is no Irish embassy or consulate in your country of residence then you may apply to any Irish embassy or consulate.
Tips- To find out more information about short stay visas, visit the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website.
Adeola Racheal Omolaja
I will like to relocate due to Nigeria insecurity
Ramya
Hi Colleen,
Can a non-EEA national couple living in Ireland(Critical Skills Permit) bring their parents at old age to Ireland under a Long Stay Visa.
If so,what conditions needs to be satisfied.
Thank you
Colleen
There is a possibility, but only if you meet the criteria which you can see here. I have not gone through the process myself, but from other people that have left comments on this site, it is apparently a long and slow process.