Employment Permits & Renewals
Visa Information
Irish embassies and consulates issue visas overseas on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs, while the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform www.justice.ie issues visas to applicants who are in Ireland. Visa information and contact numbers within Ireland are available through this website (see Visa Information and Decisions), you can also email visamail@justice.ie
Information is also available through Irish embassies and consulates abroad i.e. http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie/home/index.aspx?id=285
In January 2006 the Government established the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service within the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and this agency is responsible for processing all visa applications within Ireland.
The public office is located at:
13/14 Burgh Quay,
Dublin 2.
Tel: (within Ireland): Lo-call 1890 551 500 (Helpline available 10.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays)
Tel: (from outside Ireland + 353 1 616 7700 (Helpline available 10.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Monday to Friday excluding Public Holiday)
E-Mail: visamail@justice.ie
What is a Visa?
A visa is a paper document affixed to a page of the holder's passport.
The granting of a visa is in effect only a form of pre-clearance. A visa merely permits a person to travel to the State during the validity period of the visa. The visa does not grant permission to enter or reside in the State, this permission is given by the immigration officer who has the authority to grant or deny such admission. Applicants' passports should be valid for at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from Ireland following visits.
Where do I apply?
If there is an Irish Embassy or Consulate in your country of permanent residence you must apply there. If not, an Irish Embassy or Consulate in another State may have been designated for the purpose of processing applications from your country of permanent residence, and you must apply there.
If there is no Irish Embassy or Consulate in your country of permanent residence, and no other Irish Embassy or Consulate has been designated for the purposes of processing applications from your country of permanent residence, you may apply:
- Through any Irish Embassy or Consulate
- Through your reference in Ireland (however the application form must be signed by you)
- By direct post to the Visa Office, Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service, Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland.
What documentation must accompany my visa application?
This information is available by clicking on this link
Application fees
The application form itself is free, but you will have to pay a fee when you submit the form. Contact your local Embassy or Consulate for details of the fee, or see the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs for details - www.dfa.ie. An applicant who shows evidence that they are married to an EU citizen is exempt from fees.
Completion of the application form
You should make sure to complete your application form fully, sign it, and attach ALL the necessary documentation required. Failure to do so will result in the refusal of the application. False, fraudulent, or misleading information will result in the failure of your application and will have implications for future applications you make. Three recently-taken passport-size colour photographs must also be submitted with applications. Please use the link Documentation to Accompany a Visa Application to see what documents you MUST submit with an application. All documentation submitted MUST be in English or accompanied by a notarised translation.
Processing of applications
Visa applications will be processed in the fastest possible time following their arrival in the Visa Section in Dublin. However, to avoid delays in the issue of your visa, it is strongly advised that all applications are made at least EIGHT WEEKS prior to expected departure date, and that ALL supporting documentation is included with your application.
Sponsors/references named in your application form may be contacted for further information, and other checks may be necessary to confirm the details provided with your application.
When a decision has been made on your application, you will be notified by the relevant Embassy or Consulate. Decisions are also posted on this website (see Decisions Link) on a weekly basis. You can check for your decision using the Reference Number which will be issued to you.
More detailed information on applying for a visa can be found by accessing the relevant links above.
Re-entry Visas
Applicants who have permission to remain in Ireland may apply for a re-entry visa. Please see link to 'Re-entry Visas' below for full details on how and where to apply.
Re-entry visa information
Please see website of the Department of Foreign Affairs for information on the Working Holiday scheme
Working Holiday Authorisations
Do I need a visa to come to Ireland?
Citizens of certain countries require an entry visa for Ireland. If you are a citizen of a country that is on this list you do NOT require an entry visa for Ireland. Citizens of countries which are not on the list must apply for a visa to enter Ireland before they travel here.
All citizens of non-EU countries, whether they require a visa or not, are subject to immigration control at the point of entry to Ireland.
Please click on the following links to access the information that you require:
What type of visa do I need
Where can I make an application
Visa application forms
How can I find out about the progress of my application?
If you have been granted a visa?
If my application is turned down can I appeal the decision?
Visa Fees
Useful links for travelers to Ireland