Want to travel to Ireland? You will need a visa for that. Ireland is a place to spend a vacation. Every year many tourists visit Ireland. The natural wonders such as the Cliffs of Moher attracts tourist from across the world. So, let’s discuss how to apply for a visa for Ireland. What are the Ireland visa requirements?
What are Ireland visa requirements?
Visitors to Ireland have different requirements for different nationalities. So here’s what you need to know when you are traveling from India to Ireland.
Online Summary Sheet:
You have to submit a summary sheet with your sign with the date. There is no need for a photocopy of this.
Passports
To get into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, you will need a valid passport. Check with your airline or travel agent which form of ID needs before traveling.
You will need two original passports with a minimum of 2 blank visa pages in them. It should be valid for at least six months after your departure date from Ireland.
Please carry the photocopy of the bio page of the passport, visas, and stamps with you. If you hold other passports or have previous passports, you must apply for them.
If you can not do so, you will need to provide a written explanation along with any relevant police reports.
Residency Proof:
The evidence of your permission to live in the UK. The residence proof can be any stamp, sticker, or residence card. It should be valid for at least 3 months after your date of departure from Ireland.
Pay Slip:
Processing fees of the postal applications. It should only be paid through postal order or bank draught payable to the Irish Embassy. A photocopy is not required.
Letter:
A letter giving the reasons for your visit in full detail. Like a holiday, family/friends visiting, etc. Do not need to have a photocopy carried.
(a) Accommodation:
You have to submit a hard copy of the confirmation of the reservation of your stay. It can be a bill for your booking in the hotel or guesthouse. The hard copy of the bill must have your name and the exact dates of your stay.
(b) If staying with a reference, then:
(i)An updated original has signed an invitation letter from your reference in Ireland. It should contain the address you will be staying at.
(ii) A copy of the passport for your reference – and if a non-EEA national has a copy of their current Irish license.
(iii) Details of how you know your reference, or how it relates to it. Supporting proof of this if required.
Finacial evidence:
Evidence of how you plan on financing your trip and supporting yourself. You must provide your financial details. In the form of up to date, for the duration of your visit. The bank statements are made immediately before your visit for the 3 months.
Finacial evidence:
Evidence of how you plan on financing your trip and supporting yourself. You must provide your financial details. In the form of up to date, for the duration of your visit. The bank statements are made immediately before your visit for the 3 months.
Bank Statements should include the most recent account transactions up to the date of request and:
(I) must be in the original form
(ii) must indicate your current address, and
(iii) there must be sufficient funds available to cover the costs of your proposed voyage. There will be no lump sum lodgings made shortly before your application.
For more details see the form.
Visas
An Irish visa is required for Indian national visitors to the Republic of Ireland. National Indian visitors to Northern Ireland need a visa from the UK. For more information and guidance, please visit the website of the Embassy of Ireland.
The British Irish Visa Scheme
The new British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) allows Indian applicants for a short stay. You can travel with one visa to and around both the UK and Ireland. Whether it’s a UK visa or an Irish visa depends on the country you first visit.
Please visit the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) for more information.
website: www.inis.gov.ie
How to get help with your visa application?
You can apply for an Irish visa on your own but if you need help with your visa application you can go through a reliable visa service. You can search for a visa service close to you. Depending on your nationality and the time you have, one service can be more convenient than the other.
How to apply for an Ireland Visa?
Steps For Visa Application:
Step 1 :
The first step is to find out what visa you need. After that, make an online application. You can fill the application form on the official website of the Irish government. You can apply to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.
Step 2:
After filling the form, pay the visa fee. Note that no visa fees or service charges will impose at VFS Global visa application centres. First of all, register yourself to pay your visa fee and service charge on the website. In the registration process, you have to fill in your details.
You will need your application transaction number. The application transaction number should be printed on the application summary sheet. Keep ready your passport number, expiry date, and email address.
After this stage, you have to agree to the “Terms and Conditions” before paying the payment. Please note that if you do not proceed with your application, the visa fee is not refundable.
Step 3 :
Now, you have to book your appointment. After you have made your payment, you will be given the option to book your appointment.
All applicants must book an appointment to attend a visa application centre.
Step 4 :
At last, take a print of your appointment and payment confirmation receipt. Do this only after you have completed the payment and booked the appointment. You have to carry the printout with you to the visa application centre.
Also, try to arrive at the visa application centre 15 minutes early on the day of your appointment. Bring along your documents. You will collect a token when you arrive at the visa application centre. Wait until your token number turn.
You will get an acknowledgement receipt once the visa filing process is complete. Please hold on to your receipt, as your documents will need to be collected later.
What is the visa fee of an Ireland Visa?
Visa Fees:
The fees for applying for a Visa are:
- For a Single entry visa, the cost is up to $81.
- Multiple entry visa fee costs up to $136.
- For a Transit visa, the cost is up to $35.
You can opt for FedEx to send you your visa, rather than collecting it at the Embassy.
If you are a resident of D.C., Maryland, or Virginia:
You have to pay an extra $10 for FedEx domestic overnight charges.
If you are a resident in Puerto Rico or the Caribbean Islands:
You have to pay an extra charge of $20 for international FedEx charges.
The Embassy accepts the following forms of visa and courier fee payments:
- Money Order;
- Bank Draft;
- and Cashier’s Check.
Please note:
- Neither cash nor credit or debit cards can be accepted.
All payments should be directed to the ‘Foreign Affairs Department-Ireland.’ It should be included with the materials on your application.
How much bank balance is required for an Ireland visa?
Which countries do not need a visa for Ireland?
Whether you need a visa to enter Ireland depends on your nationality.
If you’re a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA). Or member state from any of the 27 countries of the European Union. Or you are from the USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Then you don’t need a visa to Ireland.
Visitors to South Africa can come to the Republic of Ireland without a visa. But to get into Northern Ireland, you need a UK visa.
Foreign Affairs has a full list of countries whose citizens can visit Ireland without a visa.
If your country isn’t on this list, contact your local embassy in Ireland. Please ensure that you find out what your visa requirements are before you travel. If you’re planning to visit Northern Ireland, contact your local British embassy.
You will get a free visa if you are from these countries:
- Bosnia
- Morocco
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Peru
- Ecuador Republic of Macedonia
- Indonesia
- Serbia
- Jamaica
- Sri Lanka
- Kosovo
- Tunisia
- Kyrgyzstan
- Uganda
- Montenegro
- Zambia
Types of visas for entry in Ireland
For a period of fewer than 3 months, if you wish to visit Ireland. For a vacation, to pursue a short study course or for business meetings, apply for a short stay ‘C’ visa.
You can apply either for one single entry or multiple entries. The maximum permitted to stay under a ‘C’ short-stay visa is 90 days.
If you enter the State on a ‘C’ visa, you can not get your permission to stay extended in the State. If you want to return, you must leave and reapply from outside the State.
If you wish to travel to Ireland for more than 3 months, apply for a long-stay ‘D’ visa. For example, to pursue a course of study or for work. Or to settle in Ireland with family members who are already residents in Ireland. Then you can apply for a long-stay ‘D’ visa.
If you have a long stay D visa, you can stay in the state for longer than three months. Then you have to go to an Immigration Officer at an Irish port of entry. There you will be required to register and obtain a residence permit.
Transit visas
People from a few countries need a transit visa, too.
On their way to another country, when they arrive in Ireland. You are not allowed to leave the port or airport by transit visa. If you are a citizen of any of the countries below. On landing in the State, you will need a valid Irish transit visa:
- Afghanistan,
- Iraq,
- Albania,
- Lebanon,
- Cuba,
- Moldova,
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo,
- Nigeria,
- Eritrea,
- Somalia,
- Ethiopia,
- Sri Lanka,
- Georgia,
- Ukraine,
- Ghana,
- Zimbabwe,
- Iran.
Visa waiver and reciprocal visa arrangement
The Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme allows those who have a short-term UK visa. They can come to Ireland without having to have a separate visa from Ireland. Nationals of many Eastern European and Asian countries can apply for it.
Re-entry visas
The first visa issued to you will be valid for a single State entry. You may need to apply for a re-entry visa if you wish to leave the State for a short period. This includes travelling to Northern Ireland with a re-entry visa to enter the State. Before getting a Visa for re-entry. You must register with the Garda National Bureau for Immigration (GNIB).
How soon can I apply for Irish Visa?
The applicants may apply 90 days before their travel date. The Embassy recommends you apply at least eight weeks before your travel date.
How long does it take to apply for an Irish visa?
My application got withheld:
If you have refused your application and still want to travel to Ireland, you can:
- Recourse to the decision or
- Make another application
For a new application, it may take account of your previous application history.
Recourse to decision
A letter will be sent out to you outlining the reasons for your refusal. If you think the decision is wrong, you can file an appeal within two months after getting the notice of refusal.
How do I put in an appeal?
You must file your appeal in writing at the address specified in the letter you have received. You may lodge appeals only, and you must sign them. We will not consider faxed or emailed appeals.
You should have:
- Speak every ground for refusal in your appeal
- Provide clear and relevant supporting evidence in your appeal
- Include your letter of appeal with any further information or documentation
- Be aware that more information/documentation is not guaranteed to be approved
The Review
The Appeals Officer will review your request. They will take into account any further information that you have provided.
The original decision can get reversed upon examination and review. When the Appeals Officer makes a decision, they will notify you in writing. In general, it should issue a decision within 4-6 weeks.
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