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visa card

Visas for Ireland

Who needs a visa

Whether you need a visa to travel to Ireland depends on what country you're from. Visit the Irish Immigration Service Travel Path for more information regarding your personal requirements for travelling to Ireland.

Information on visa requirements for transiting through Ireland is available on IrishImmigration.ie

Please note that Ireland is not party to the Schengen Agreement, and a Schengen visa or residence permit does not entitle you to travel to Ireland without a visa.

Unless you qualify for the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme or the British Irish Visa Scheme a valid UK visa does not entitle you to travel to Ireland without a visa. Further information on these schemes is available on the website of the Irish Immigration Service.

Note: A visa allows you to travel to Ireland only. It does not give you permission to enter the country or to stay here. An immigration officer at border control can refuse entry even if you have a visa.

Remember…

If you're a citizen of a non-EEA country, whether you need a visa or not, you will be subject to immigration control when you enter Ireland.

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Types of Visa and Documentation

Full information on the different types of visas, required documentation, and how to apply can be found on the website of the Irish Immigration Service. 

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How to apply

You need to:

  • Complete the online application form
  • This will generate an application summary form and declaration at the end, which you must print, sign and date.
  • Gather your supporting documentation, passport photograph and fee.
  • Submit your application

To complete the process, you must submit your passport and supporting documents for processing. Where you submit your application depends on where you are living. The summary application form will direct you to the relevant Embassy, Consulate or Visa Application Centre.

If you applied directly to an Irish Immigration Service Visa Office or if your application was referred to the Irish Immigration Service for a decision, you can check the Irish Immigration Service Visa Decision Weekly Listing using your reference number.

If you applied at an Embassy or Consulate, they will contact you once a decision on the visa application has been made.

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Visa appeals

If your visa application is refused, you will receive a letter from the visa office telling you why it has been refused and if you can appeal the decision.

Further information on appealing visa decisions is available on the website of the Irish Immigration Service.

All appeals are handled directly by the Irish Immigration Service.

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On arrival in Ireland

Further information on what to expect on arrival in Ireland can be found on the website of the Irish Immigration Service.

Information on entry for EU/EEA and Swiss nationals is available on IrishImmigration.ie. 

Information on entry for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals is available on IrishImmigration.ie.

Information on travelling with children is available on IrishImmigration.ie.

Information on transiting through Ireland is available on IrishImmigration.ie.

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Fees

Check the website of the Irish Immigration Service for information on preclearance and entry visa fees, including information on visa fee exemptions.

See the below Payment details section for further information on fees and payments.

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Visa information for applicants from Serbia

You must submit your application to Visa Facilitation Services Global (VFS) Office in Belgrade - Book an appointment here with VFS

VFS will send your application to the Embassy of Ireland, Belgrade for processing.

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Visa information for applicants from Montenegro

Montenegro (ME)
Application form Create your online application form on AVATS Online, then print and sign and date your completed form.
What supporting documents do I need? Supporting documents depend on your reason for travelling. Find out more on our visa documentation page.
Where to lodge? Documents should be mailed to Embassy of Ireland at:
Embassy of Ireland
Avenija 19A
Vladimira Popovica 38-40/1
Belgrade 11073
Biometrics captured? No.
Cost? Montenegrin  passports holders are exempt from Visa fees
Non Montenegrin applications;
Single-entry visas (SEV) cost €60, while multiple- Please note, if you avail of a fee waiver for which you are not eligible, your visa will be refused.
How to pay? No payment required.
Passport submission Applicant either retains or sends the passport with the application to EMB. If you decide to retain your passport, a copy of every page of the passport must be submitted in the application.
How long does it take to get a visa? Processing times depend on your visa category, whether you are eligible for a visa and whether you have provided the appropriate documents.
Passport return You may either send or retain your passport on submission of your application. If you choose to retain the passport, the EMB will print the visa if successful and will request the passport to be delivered to the EMB for stamping.
You are required to arrange for the delivery of the passport and the return of your application by pre-paid post. 
The EMB will contact you once a decision has been made and will mail the passport with the visa sticker to you in the pre-paid envelope provided.
Visa appeals If your application is refused and you have been afforded the right of appeal, information on how to appeal will be outlined in the refusal letter.
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