Ireland Short Stay Family Visa - How to Apply from the UK

While in Ireland, you are not allowed to work or rely on the government if you have a short-stay visa. Therefore, it is imperative that you can show that you have the means to sustain yourself during your visit.

You must present adequate evidence to prove that you can sustain yourself during your travel to Ireland or that the family or friend you are visiting will help you out financially.

You must detail the following in your visa application if you plan to sustain yourself financially during your stay in Ireland:

• A recent bank statement that includes your name, address, bank account number, account type, and a breakdown of all deposits and withdrawals made within the previous six months

You must provide the following information in your visa application if a friend or family member in Ireland is helping to support you while you are in Ireland financially:

• A breakdown of the costs and services they will be paying for.
• Current bank statements, their three most recent paystubs (if they are working), their most recent P60, and a letter from their employer attesting to their employment are acceptable proof that your friend or relative can afford these expenses (if applicable).
• If they are self-employed, you must provide a letter with a description of their business and documents demonstrating that it is operating (such as their most recent financial accounts, tax return etc.)

You must submit the following information in your visa application if someone else will be paying for your expenses while you are visiting Ireland:

• Full details of the third party
• A description of how and why this third party will be funding your visit
• Evidence of your relationship with this third party (photographs of you, emails, letters, etc.)
• The third party must demonstrate that they can support you, providing evidence as explained above financially (whether employed or self-employed)

When applying for family visitor visas, you must be able to provide the following documents:

• Two passport-sized, colour photographs of you.
• Application summary form.
• A signed and dated letter of application detailing: the reason(s) behind your intention to visit Ireland, the dates and location(s) of your intended stay, and any financial support you will get for your visit. This letter must state who you are visiting and their relationship to you and include supporting documentation.
• Proof of travel and medical insurance.
• A clear colour photocopy of the friend or relative whose home you are visiting, along with a signed and dated invitation letter explaining why they are inviting you to Ireland, how they know you, and the dates you intend to visit them.
• Your current, valid passport and a photocopy of all previous passports
• The invitation letter from your friend or relative who is a non-EU/EEA citizen and lives in Ireland must also include a clear colour photocopy of their current Irish residence permit or GNIB card and their current immigration approval stamp.
• If a friend or relative is sponsoring your visit to Ireland, they must also provide an estimate of the cost and documentation proving their financial capacity to do so.
• A description of your accommodation plan
• Proof of obligations to show that you will return home and comply with the conditions of your visa

You should start your application at least three months before your travel to Ireland. Follow the processes below to apply:

• Create an online visa application via AVATS
• Pay your application fee
• Submit your documents for processing

You can apply for a Single entry or Multi-entry Short Stay ‘C’ visa on the AVATS portal. With a single entry visa, you can only visit Ireland once. You must reapply for a visa to enter Ireland if you leave before the allotted 90 days have passed.

If you have a multi-entry visa, you can enter and leave Ireland several times as long as it’s still in effect. A single-entry visa is simpler to get than a multiple-entry visa. Only a few situations allow for the approval of multiple entry visas.

You must print your application summary once your AVATS application is completed. This application summary will include the application office where you should send your documentation for processing and the visa application transaction number. The application summary pages you will submit must bear your signature and date.

All Short Stay “C” visa applications are subject to a fixed amount from Irish immigration. The application fees include the following:

• Single entry – Short stay ‘C’ visa: €60
• Multi-entry – Short stay ‘C’ visa: €100

You will get payment instructions from your application office. Depending on your situation, additional fees, such as those for consular services, biometrics, and document translation, may apply. Also, you might not be required to pay any application fees based on your country.

Given how uniquely varied each situation is, there is no conclusive response to this. Also, applicant offices’ processing schedules vary, and delays may occur while processing applications over holidays.

You can expect a decision on your application from the Department for Justice & Equality within eight weeks after submission. If your application is accepted, an Irish visa will be stamped in your passport, permitting you to visit Ireland.

However, if your visa is denied, you will receive a “letter of refusal” explaining the reasons for rejection.