What is an Ireland Visitor Visa?

Ireland Tourist Visa is also known as the Ireland Visitor Visa. This is a short-stay visa (C visa) that allows you pre-entry clearance. It helps you go through Border Control and request permission to enter the country.

This visa is only valid for a maximum of 90 days or less. The immigration officer will decide as to how long you can stay in the country.

You, as a foreign national, can fall into any one of these 3 categories, for your right to visit the country. This depends upon your country of origin.

• No Ireland Tourist Visa Required: You can travel to Ireland without applying for a visa if you are a citizen of any of the EU countries, from Switzerland, or from the countries falling under EEA agreements.
• No Ireland Tourist Visa Required but Subject to Border Control: Citizens other than EU countries or under the EEA agreement are granted visa-free travel to Ireland. Such cases have to request permission to stay from the Immigration Officer at Border Control.
• Both Ireland Tourist Visa and Border Control are Required: All other citizens across the world have to apply for a visa if they want to travel to Ireland. They will also have to seek permission from the Immigration Officer at Border Control to stay in Ireland.

Types of Ireland Tourist Visas

There are two main types of Ireland Tourist Visas

• Ireland Single-Entry Tourist Visa – This allows you to enter the country only once. You cannot re-enter once you leave. Even if there were remaining days on the visa.
• Ireland Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa – This allows you to enter and leave the country as many times as you want. However, this is only issued in specific cases.

Single & Multiple Entry Tourist Visas

Source: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/

People already having received an Ireland Tourist Visa or need to make short and frequent trips, like for business can avail the Ireland Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa.

• Transit Visa – People from a small number of countries on their way to another country will also need an Irish Transit Visa. People from the following list of countries will not be able to leave port or airport without the Irish Transit Visa.

Countries Requiring an Irish Transit Visa

What is the Eligibility Criteria for the Ireland Tourist Visa?

You will have to meet the following criteria to be eligible to travel to Ireland.

• Be a genuine traveller.
• Capable of bearing all expenses.
• Have valid reasons to return.
• Be in good health.
• Be of good character.
• The valid purpose for travel.

The Irish Embassy or Consulate reserves the right to ask for additional documents. A personal appearance for interviews in special cases may also be desired.

The documents mentioned here do not guarantee to grant a visa. Visa applications may be rejected in case of incomplete documentation or refusal to appear.

Check Eligibility

What Documents are Required for the Ireland Tourist Visa?

Here is an extensive list of all necessary documents required to be submitted by Indian passport holders seeking an Ireland Tourist Visa.

• Valid Passport: Your passport should be valid for 6 months ahead of the span of stay. It should have a minimum of two blank pages for the visa stamp. It should not be torn, ripped, split, or damaged in any way.
• Photographs: Your face in the passport photograph must cover 80% of the frame.
• Travel Documents: Air tickets need to be booked for the complete round trip. It should reveal your course of travel and confirm your return to the native country. This is an important document that needs to be submitted.
• Travel Insurance:You will not be allowed to travel to Ireland without travel insurance. It should also be valid for your entire stay in the country. It should also mention your details as per those in the passport.
• Covering Letter: This is the first document that is seen by the consular. Covering letters devoid of relevant information may cause your visa to be rejected. Seek professional visa services while creating one to cover all necessary details.

How to Apply for the Irish Tourist Visa?

The below points give you a step by step procedure to get Irish Visiting Visa.

• Step 1: Download the application.
• Step 2: Fill the application with correct details.
• Step 3: Submit the online visa application form on the official website.
• Step 4: After submission, you will be provided a declaration.
• Step 5: Get the declaration printed into a hard copy and sign it and keep it.
• Step 6: The fee should also be submitted at the mentioned place and time.
• Step 7: Submit the application at the visa office/Irish consulate/Irish embassy.

What Follows the Submission of Application?

The status of the application will be notified to you through SMS if you have opted for this service, or via email. Four SMS and email notifications are normally sent at various stages of processing.

Sometimes you may be asked to provide more information, additional documents, or attend another interview.

What Costs are Involved with the Ireland Tourist Visa?

Application Fee for Ireland Tourist Visa

Please note that:

• Extra consular service charges may apply for some applications.
• Applicants can pay through VFS Global.
• Beware that VFS Global India does not accept credit cards.

What is the Processing Time for an Ireland Visitor Visa?

The Irish Visa has to be applied in an online form. 8 weeks is the visa processing period which the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service tell you. 

That is, you have to apply for the Ireland Visa at least 2 months before the period in which you plan to get to Ireland. But it would be better if you applied even before that. 

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