Republic of Ireland short-stay visa: general visit guidance
A short-stay C visa is used for eligible visits to the Republic of Ireland, normally for up to 90 days. Ireland is not part of the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa does not automatically permit travel to Ireland.
General eligibility points
Use these as research prompts. Meeting them does not guarantee a successful application.
- Check whether your nationality requires an Irish visa.
- Choose the correct short-stay purpose, such as tourism, visiting family or business.
- Show that the visit is temporary and that you will leave Ireland when required.
- Follow the instructions for the Irish visa office, embassy, consulate or application centre handling your location.
Document checklist
The exact evidence depends on the route and circumstances.
- A current passport and any passport copies required by the relevant Irish office.
- The AVATS application summary and the supporting documents required for the chosen visit purpose.
- Evidence of the purpose of travel, accommodation and travel arrangements.
- Financial evidence and, where another person is supporting the trip, evidence of that support.
- Evidence of obligations to return and certified translations where the official instructions require them.
Use the correct destination and application office
Follow the official Irish Immigration Service information and the destination office responsible for the applicant’s place of legal residence.
Four preparation steps
Check whether an Irish visa is required
Select the correct visit purpose
Complete AVATS and print the summary
Submit the required documents using the responsible office’s instructions
Check the current Irish Immigration Service rules
Government requirements can change. Use these official pages as the authoritative source.
Ireland short-stay visa FAQs
Is an Irish visa a Schengen visa?+
No. Ireland is not part of the Schengen area and applies its own visa rules.
What are the general short-stay fees?+
The published general fees are €60 for a single-entry short-stay C visa and €100 for a multiple-entry visa, although exemptions and additional local charges can apply.
Does this guide cover Northern Ireland?+
No. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and UK immigration rules apply there.