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Passport, Visa & Permits


This section is intended for reference only. We strongly recommend that you contact the embassy directly for the most up-to-date information that pertains to your specific situation.

Passport

You must have a valid passport to travel abroad. A passport is an official government document that certifies one's identity and citizenship.

The process and cost associated with getting a passport can be high, so start the process at least six months before you plan to leave. Your passport must be valid 6 months beyond your intended stay. In the EU minors also need to have their own passport.

Visa

People from certain countries need a valid Irish entry visa before arriving in the State, whether by air, sea or land. An Irish visa is a certificate placed on your passport or travel document to indicate that you are authorised to land in the State. This means that you will still be subject to immigration control at the point of entry to the State even if you have a visa.

Ireland's Immigrations site is: www.inis.gov.ie

Who needs a visa for Ireland?

No entry visa required:

Entry Visa required:

Types of Visas in Ireland

Short Stay Visa in Ireland

If you wish to visit Ireland for a period of less than 3 months, you can apply for a short stay 'C' visa for either a single entry or multiple entries. The maximum stay allowed under a short stay 'C' visa is 90 days. If you enter the State on a 'C' visa you cannot have your permission to remain in the State extended. You must leave and reapply from outside the State if you want to return.

Examples of Short-Term Visas in Ireland:

Under a new British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS), visitors from China and India can travel freely within the Common Travel Area, (that is, Ireland and the UK, but not the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), using either an Irish or UK short-stay visa endorsed with 'BIVS'.

Long-Term Visa for Ireland

If you wish to travel to Ireland for more than 3 months, you can apply for a long stay 'D' visa for a single entry. If you are granted a long stay 'D' visa and wish to remain in the State for longer than 3 months, you will be required to register and obtain a residence permit.

Work Permit in Ireland

There are 9 types of employment permit. They include the Critical Skills Employment Permit for highly skilled workers and the General Employment Permit, which has replaced the work permit and Green Card permit respectively. Either the prospective employee or prospective employer may apply for the permit.

Employers who want to employ people who need employment permits must meet certain requirements.

Refusal of Employment Permit in Ireland

If you are refused an employment permit, you may ask for an internal review. You should ask for a review within 21 days of being notified of a refusal. You will be refused an employment permit where you:

Irish Citizenship

Irish citizenship is obtained in different ways; Most Irish citizens get their citizenship through birth or descent or naturalisation.

However, if you are a foreign national who is either married to an Irish citizen or a civil partner of an Irish citizen, you can apply for Irish citizenship through spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen.

How to Become an Irish Citizen

Irish citizenship through birth or descent

You are not automatically an Irish citizen if you were born in Ireland. You may be entitled to Irish citizenship if your parent(s) or grandparents are Irish, even if you were born outside of Ireland (but you may need to register your birth).

Becoming an Irish citizen through naturalisation

In order to apply for naturalisation in Ireland, you must:

Becoming an Irish citizen through marriage or civil partnership

If you are a foreign national who is the spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen, you may be able to become an Irish citizen if you meet certain conditions and apply for citizenship through naturalisation. The application process is the same as for foreign nationals who are not the spouses or civil partners of Irish citizens but there are more favourable residence requirements.

For furthest information contact your nearest Irish embassy or consulate or the Irish Citizenship Division.

Irish Citizenship Division

Department of Justice Office
Rosanna Road, Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary, Ireland

Tel: +353 62 32500
Homepage: http://www.inis.gov.ie/
Email: citizenshipinfo@justice.ie


14/10/2017

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