Travelling as part of a School Tour

If you are a non-EU or EEA school student who is resident in an EU or EEA Member State and wish to travel to another EU or EEA Member State as part of a group school excursion, you may be exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa in order to travel to Ireland.

This exemption arises from the implementation of the European Council Decision (94/795/JHA) on a joint action adopted by the Council on the basis of Article K.3(2)(b) of the Treaty on European Union concerning travel facilities for school pupils from Non-EU Member Countries resident in a Member State. Please note that an upper age limit does not apply, provided the pupil is part of a school group.

In order to avail of this exemption, the head of your school must complete an application form (in editable PDF format) which must then be presented to an Irish Immigration Officer to be stamped and authorised.

If your school is based outside of Ireland and is travelling to Ireland: Please have this form completed and authorised by your National Immigration Authority before travelling to Ireland. This form can then be presented to the Irish Immigration Authority upon arrival at the Irish State.

If your school is travelling to another EU or EEA Member State and is based in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Cork or Limerick:

The school principal must complete and stamp this application form.

This application form must be sent by email from an official email address of the school to [email protected].

In order to process your request, the following documents are required:

1. An application form completed by the school principal
2. A copy of the relevant applicant (student) passport
3. A copy of the teacher’s passport and work ID who will travel on the trip
4. A letter, on official headed paper, from the school stating that the
applicant(s) is travelling as part of a school trip

If your school is based in Ireland but outside of the above counties:

This application form can only be authorised at district Garda Síochána stations on this list. Please contact the relevant station directly.

Please note: It is strongly recommended that you make an appointment to speak to an Immigration Officer in advance of presenting the form for authorisation. Forms will not be authorised by Irish Immigration Officers at ports of entry.