Irish Visitor Visas: Apply from the UK
If you are a UK citizen, you do not have to obtain a visa to come to Ireland. Citizens of non-EEA countries, however, need to apply for an Irish Visitor Visa to be able to visit Ireland.
To receive assistance with applying for a Visitor Visa to Ireland, call our lawyers on 0333 305 9375.
What is the Irish Visitor Visa?
The Irish Visitor Visa is intended for non-EEA citizens who want to visit Ireland for the purpose of tourism and stay in the country for up to 90 days. It is also called the Tourist Visa.
If the reason for your trip to Ireland is to take a holiday or participate in a short-term language course, the Visitor Visa is the right choice for you. Keep in mind that when you come to Ireland on the Visitor Visa, you are not allowed to work.
If you are a citizen of the UK, you do not have to apply for a visa to be able to visit Ireland. You can travel to Ireland and remain there for as long as you want. Citizens of EU/EEA countries can also travel to Ireland without a visa but generally, they can spend up to 90 days there visa-free. After this period they can stay longer if they can prove that they are working or studying in Ireland.
Residents of the UK who are not citizens, such as those who hold indefinite leave to remain status, may need to apply for a Visitor visa to visit Ireland if they’re from a visa-required country.
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Who is eligible for the Irish Visitor Visa?
All non-EEA citizens who want to obtain the Irish Visitor Visa have to meet the following requirements:
- Have a passport valid for at least six months past your planned visit to Ireland
- Have enough money to cover their expenses during their stay in Ireland
- Be able to provide details of any previous visits to Ireland
- Have ties in their home country that will make them return there after the trip
- Be able to provide details of any family members living in Ireland or other EU countries.
Our lawyers can help you gather documents that confirm that you meet these requirements. If you fail to submit sufficient evidence that proves your eligibility for the Visitor Visa, your application will be delayed or even rejected.
What is the application process for the Irish Visitor Visa?
The first step of the application process for the Irish Visitor Visa is to complete an online application form in which you provide personal details and state the reason for your journey to Ireland.
Once you submit the form, you will see a web page with your application summary sheet. Make sure to print it as you will need to include it in your portfolio of evidence. Your application summary sheet contains information explaining where you have to send your supporting documents to so make sure to make note of that.
The next step is to pay the visa application fee. For a single-entry visa, you have to pay €60 and for a multiple-entry one €100. The visa fee is non-refundable so you will not get your money back even if your application is rejected or withdrawn.
Then, you have to start preparing the required supporting documents and, once you have a full portfolio of evidence, you have to send them to an immigration office for processing.
What supporting documents are required?
As part of the application process for the Irish Visitor Visa, you have to submit a number of documents that confirm your eligibility for it. These include:
- Signed and dated application summary sheet
- Passport valid for at least six months past your planned stay in Ireland
- Application letter in which you provide details of why you want to come to Ireland
- Information about where you will be staying in Ireland
- Two passport size photographs
- Statement in which you promise not to become a burden on the state
- Proof of having enough funds to support yourself during your stay in Ireland
- Proof of having ties in your home country that will make you leave Ireland before or on the day that your visa expires.
You have to be aware of the fact that photocopies will not be accepted. All documents you submit have to be originals and, if they were issued in a language that is not English or Irish, need to be translated by a certified translator.
The exact documents you have to provide might vary depending on your individual circumstances. Our lawyers can assess your situation and tell you in detail what evidence you need to prepare.
What is the processing time of applications for the Visitor Visa?
There is no specific timeframe for the processing of applications for Irish Visitor Visas. The Department of Justice & Equality reviews all applications on a case-by-case basis as everyone’s circumstances are different.
Nevertheless, most applications are processed within 8 weeks from the immigration office receiving all the documents. If you fail to submit some of the required evidence, immigration officials will most likely ask you to provide it and the processing of your application will be delayed.
By hiring an immigration lawyer, you can be sure that you included all the supporting documents right away. Thanks to that, you can maximise the chances of your application being processed quickly.
If your application is successful, you will receive a stamp in your passport and you will be able to travel to Ireland. Unfortunately, obtaining a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter the country. When you arrive in Ireland, those working at the border will review your documents and will determine whether or not you can be allowed in.
If your application is rejected, you will be issued a letter explaining the reasons for the refusal. Our lawyers can help you go over it to make sure you understand why your application was unsuccessful. They can advise you on what you should do next.
How can Total Law help?
At Total Law, we have a team of experienced immigration lawyers who have helped many clients apply for various Irish Visas, including the Visitor Visa.
They can assess your eligibility for the Irish Visitor Visa and can guide you through each step of the application process, making sure you know what is expected from you and what documents you need to submit.
Thanks to the help of your lawyers, you can make sure your case is as strong as possible. Our lawyers can also explain to you in detail what you are allowed to do on the Visitor Visa to eliminate the risk of you accidentally breaching the conditions of your visa.
Call us today on 0333 305 9375 to find out more about how Total Law can help.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Irish Visitor Visa is a Short Stay ‘C’ Visa, which means that its holders can stay in Ireland for up to 90 days. Unfortunately, there are no extensions to the Visitor Visa so you have to leave Ireland before or on the day that your Tourist Visa expires. If you would like to spend more than 3 months in Ireland, you have to obtain a Long Stay ‘D’ Visa.
Having a sponsor in Ireland is not a requirement for the Visitor Visa. You can apply for it if you meet the eligibility requirements, which are:
- You have a valid passport valid
- You have enough funds to support yourself during your trip
- You can provide details of any previous Irish visas you obtained
- You have ties in their home country that will make you leave Ireland once your visa expires
- You can provide details of any family members living in Ireland or any other EU country.
The Irish Visitor Visa is issued to non-EEA citizens who want to visit Ireland for the purpose of tourism or to complete a short-term English language course. Working on the Visitor Visa is not allowed. If you engage in any paid or unpaid work while on the Visitor Visa in Ireland, you will be breaching the conditions of your permit and you might face deportation.
To be able to work in Ireland, you need to obtain an Employment Permit and apply for a Long Stay ‘D’ Visa. Talk to our immigration lawyers and they can tell you in detail how you can do that.
There is no specific amount of funds that those applying for the Irish Visitor Visa need to have to obtain the Irish Visitor Visa. Nevertheless, to be able to get it, you have to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Ireland. Immigration officials will assess your individual circumstances and determine whether the funds you have are sufficient.