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What is a short stay ‘C’ visa?
A short stay or ‘C’ visa allows you travel to Ireland for up to 90 days while you:
Travel around as a tourist
Study on a short-term course
This visa does not allow you to:
Do paid or unpaid work of any kind
Use any publicly funded services, such as a public hospital.
Guidelines on planning a trip to Ireland
Apply for a visa before travelling. You must do this from your home country or the country where you are a legal resident. We recommend you do this three months before you travel
Apply for a visa for each person travelling. Ireland do not issue Family visas or E-visas
Apply on behalf of any person aged under 18 if you are their parent or legal guardian
Wait for approval before you buy any travel tickets.
Please note: A visa allows you to travel to Ireland only. It does not give you permission to enter the country or to stay here. An immigration officer at border control can refuse entry even if you have a visa.
More information on special visa programmes
You may be able to visit Ireland without applying for a separate Irish visa, if you have an eligible UK (short stay) visitor visa and you are a citizen of an approved country.
Read how this works under the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme.
You may be able to visit Ireland and the United Kingdom using a single Irish or UK visa if you travel using a Chinese or Indian passport.
Read how this works under the British-Irish Visa Scheme.
How do I apply?
To apply, follow these three steps:
1. Create a visa application online
Answer all questions in AVATS fully and honestly
Follow the instructions on the Summary Application Form created by the online system. This summary form will contain information on where you are to submit your supporting documentation
Print, sign and date the summary form and submit it with your supporting documentation.
The visa officer considers each application on its merits and may request additional information or documentation.
2. Pay the visa application fee
Details of the current visa fees are available here.
The fee covers the administrative cost of processing your application. This will not be refunded if you withdraw your application or if we refuse your application.
Some applicants are exempt and do not need to pay visa fees. Click here to check if you are exempt from paying Visa fees.
You will receive an Application Summary Form when you complete your AVATS online application. This will let you know how to submit your application for processing and pay your visa fee.
Payment methods and currency options may differ between offices. Extra charges may apply for some applications, such as consular fees.
3. Send your supporting documents
Prepare your documents carefully. They contain information that we need to make a decision about your visa application. It is your responsibility to provide all information to help us process your application quickly and fairly.
Sending these documents does not guarantee that your application will be successful.
When you are satisfied that you have prepared your application documents, put them in a strong padded envelope and send them to your application office. Be sure to pay the correct postage for large packages.
- You must do this within 30 days of creating an online application via AVATS. We will not process your application until we receive everything.
- If you are making a visa application for yourself and another person, you may send them together. To send together:
- Place each person’s application documents into separate envelopes
- Write the name and Visa Application Transaction Number of each applicant on each envelope
- Place each envelope into a larger envelope and send it to the application office.
- Original documents must be provided. We do not accept photocopies except where stated.
- If you want to submit a document that is not in English or Irish, it must be accompanied by a full certified translation.
- All letters submitted from a business, company or organisation must be original and on official headed paper. This is to make sure that they can be verified. They must show the organisation’s:
-
- Full name
- Full postal address
- Telephone number. This must be a fixed line number. We do not accept mobile or cell phone numbers.
- Website address
- Email address. Yahoo and Hotmail email addresses are not accepted.
- A contact person’s name and title or position
- Written signature of an authorised representative. Electronic signatures are not accepted.
- In some cases, you may need to provide biometric information as part of your application. Contact your application office who will confirm if you need to provide biometric information and how to do so.
The visa officer considers each application on its merits. They may request additional information or documentation.
NOTE: Do not include false or misleading information or documents in your application. If you do, your application may be refused. In some circumstances, you may not be allowed to appeal the visa decision and may be blocked from getting an Irish visa for 5 years.
Required documents
Your signed and dated Summary Application Form and appropriate fee (if applicable) must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
If you do not submit the required documentation, your application may be refused.
- Do not submit documentation on USB sticks, memory cards, CD ROMs as documents on these devices cannot be accessed.
- Do not submit documentation on file-sharing platforms such as Drop Box, Sharefile. Documents in hardcopy format only will be accepted
The documents required are:
Medical or Travel Insurance
Application Summary Sheets
Proof of Visa Fee Payment
Obligations to Return Home
Print, sign and date the application summary sheets (from AVATS). Your signed and dated summary application form and the appropriate fee (where applicable) must be accompanied by the supporting documentation set out below. If you do not submit the required documentation your application may be refused on the basis of insufficient documentation.
Type or write a letter explaining why you want to come to Ireland. Sign and date the letter and submit it with your documents.
Your letter must include your full name and postal address, and:
- The reason you want to come to Ireland
- The dates you plan to arrive and leave
- The place(s) you will stay, for example home address of your friend/family, hotel, hostel, B&B, etc
- A description of who will pay (or help to pay) for your vacation, for example you, friend/family.
If you are visiting a friend(s), your letter must also include:
- The name(s) and address(es) of your friend(s) in Ireland
- A description of how you and your friend(s) know each other
- Documentary evidence of the relationship between you and your friend(s), for example copies of letters, emails, photographs together, etc
- The names and addresses of any members of your family who also live in Ireland (even if you will not visit them)
- The names and addresses of any members of your family who currently live in any other EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
If you are visiting family, your letter must also include:
- The names and addresses of all members of your family who live in Ireland (including family members you will not be visiting)
- The names and addresses of any members of your family who currently live in any other EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
- Documentary evidence to show you are related to them (for example, birth certificates and marriage certificates etc.)
- Documentary evidence to show your relationship with them (for example, copies of letters, emails, photographs together, evidence of previous visits by applicant or reference etc).
Your letter must also include a commitment from you that you will:
- Obey the conditions of your visa in full
- Not rely on public services (for example public hospitals) or become a burden on the State
- Leave Ireland before your immigration permission expires.
Ask the friend(s) or family member(s) you plan to visit in Ireland to type or write a letter that states that they are inviting you to Ireland to visit them. Ask them to sign and date the letter. Include the letter with your application.
The letter must state:
- The reason they are inviting you to Ireland
- The dates they plan to see you in Ireland
- A description of how they know you.
The letter must include a clear legible colour photocopy of the picture page of their National Identity Card or passport (including for Irish citizens).
The letter must also include a statement by your friend(s) or family member(s) that they understand you must:
- Obey the conditions of your visa in full
- Not rely on public services (for example public hospitals) or become a burden on the State
- Leave Ireland before your immigration permission expires.
You must get a separate letter from each friend/family member you are visiting who has a different home address. A single letter for friends/family who live at the same address is acceptable.
Conditional requirements for the invitation letter
If you are invited to stay with your friend(s) or family member(s) in their home, the letter must state:
- That they are inviting you to stay with them in their home
- The dates you are invited to stay and their full postal address (including EirCode).
If the friend(s) or family member(s) inviting you to Ireland is a non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss citizen, the letter must include:
If your friend(s) or family member(s) will help to pay for your vacation, the letter must include:
- A cost estimate and a description of what they will pay for (if appropriate), for example cost of airline tickets in Euro, cost of accommodation and living expenses for your short stay in Ireland
- Documents that prove they can afford to pay a full description of required documents is on this page.
Note: We will refuse your application for an Irish visa if you do not include information about past visa refusals.
Type or write a description of your planned holiday, vacation or study trip to Ireland. Please include details of where you will stay.
Include printed reservation confirmations (emails or letters) of your accommodation from:
- Hotels, guesthouses, hostels, B&Bs, AirBnBs, campsites, etc.
- Shared or free accommodation. For example, couchsurfing
- Any other type of accommodation.
Reservation confirmations must show the dates you intend to stay at each place.
If you plan to study during your stay, include information about your study plan, such as:
- The name, address, phone number, website and email of the place you are studying. For example, the school, college or institution
- Shared or free accommodation. For example, couchsurfing
- Proof you have reserved a place on the course. For example, a confirmation email or letter.
In some circumstances, you may have to include proof that you have paid the visa application fee. Contact your application office to find out if you need to provide proof and what to include.
If you are exempt from the visa fee, you may have to include documents that prove you are exempt. Contact your application office about proof of exemption.
Proof of payment/exemption may differ between offices. Extra charges may also apply for some applications. For example, consular fees.
You must submit:
- Your current passport – your current passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Ireland
- A photocopy of each page from all previous passports you have (where available). Your application will be delayed if you do not provide copies of all previous passports you have
- Type or write a letter that describes your travel plan to and from Ireland if you intend to:
- Travel to Ireland from a different country (not your home country or a country where you are a legal resident), or
- Travel from Ireland to a different country.
The letter must also state if you need or do not need visas for those countries. Include the letter with your application.
If relevant, apply for those countries’ visas before you apply for an Irish visa. We may refuse your application for a visa if your passport does not contain the expected visas.
If you do not get the expected visas before you apply for an Irish visa, explain why in your letter. The visa officer will include those reasons when reviewing your application.
If you are not a citizen of the country you are applying from you must submit proof you have permission to be in the country you are applying from. If you are not a citizen you must submit proof you have permission to be in the country. For example, a photocopy of your residence card.
You must also show you have at least 3 months’ permission to remain in that country after the date you plan to leave Ireland.
Include 2 passport-sized colour photographs of the visa applicant. On the back of each photo:
- Sign your name (in your native script and language)
- Write your Visa Application Transaction Number from AVATS
- Each photograph must meet all the following rules for visa photographs.
You must show that you have enough finance (money) to support yourself in Ireland.
Note: There is no minimum amount of finance for approving or refusing a visa application. The visa officer will decide if you have enough based on your own circumstances.
If you are paying for your own visit include an up-to-date bank statement with your documents. The bank statement must:
- Be original and on headed bank paper. Note: You may use a printed internet statement but it must be officially certified by your bank. We will not accept uncertified internet statements
- Show your name and address
- Show the bank account number and account type. For example, checking/current account, savings and deposit account
- Show money paid in and out of the account over the last 6 months.
If you submit a bank statement from a savings and deposit account, you must include an original letter from your bank (on headed paper). This must confirm you can withdraw money from it.
You must also include a written explanation of any large movements of money in or out of your account, if appropriate.
If a friend or family member in Ireland is helping to pay for your visit type or write an estimate of how much your friend/family member will spend (in Euro) and what they will pay for (if appropriate). For example, the cost of airline tickets.
Your friend/family member must also show that they can afford these costs. This applies to any friends/family members who will help to pay for your vacation, including Irish citizens.
To do so, you must ask them to send you the following original documents and include them with your application:
- An up-to-date bank statement, following the same rules as described above
- If they are employed, they must provide:
- Their 3 most recent payslips
- Their most recent tax return document, for example in Ireland, an employment detail summary from Revenue
- A letter from their employer that confirms they are employed.
If we approve your visa application, you must get travel/medical insurance before you travel. You will not be able to enter Ireland without it.
In some cases, we may ask you to submit proof that you have travel/medical insurance before we grant a visa.
Evidence of medical or travel insurance does not need to be provided with your application. However, the Visa Officer may request it before they make a decision on your application.
If your visa is approved, you must have evidence of medical or travel insurance when you arrive at the port of entry (airport or seaport) and must present it to the Immigration Officer on request.
As you are applying for a short stay visa for Ireland (which permits visits of less than 90 days), it is important that you provide evidence that you have strong family, social or economic ties to your country of residence. This is necessary in order to satisfy the Visa Officer that you will leave Ireland on, or before, your intended date of departure from Ireland.
It is your responsibility to provide this evidence. All of the information that you provide must be in the form of documentary evidence which can be verified by the Visa Officer. Suggestions on how to show evidence your obligations to return.
Work
If you are employed, you must provide your 3 most recent payslips and a letter from your employer including:
- How long you have been employed there
- The dates you will be absent from your employment
- The date you will be returning to work in that employment.
Education or study
If you are a student, you must provide a letter from your college stating:
- The course you are studying
- How many years you have been a student there
- How many years or terms you have left at that college, and that you will be returning there following your visit to Ireland.
Family
Details of any family members living in your country of residence – if you have any dependent children and your children are remaining at home, you should submit birth certificates for the children.
Property
Evidence of any property you own or rent
- Title deed or tenancy agreement.
For all visa or preclearance applications, if you have been refused a visa or preclearance in the past for any country, you must provide details to us. The original letter issued to you by the authorities of that country must be provided with your application. Not disclosing any previous visa refusals will result in your application being refused.
In addition if you have:
- Been deported from any country
- Been refused entry to any country
- Been otherwise required to leave any country (including overstaying in any country).
You must provide original documentation issued by the authorities of that country with your application and a full explanation for consideration.
Note: We will refuse your application for an Irish visa if you do not include information about past visa refusals.
Documents must be translated and certified
You must provide a full and certified translation into the English or Irish language of any documents not in English or Irish.
Any official documents issued by a non-EU, EEA or Swiss country must be stamped as genuine by that country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- This is known as having the documents attested or apostilled. It means that the documents can be accepted for Irish visa purposes. They include Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Death Certificates or Divorce Certificates.
- Such documents are required to be translated into English or Irish, if necessary.
Any official documents issued by a country inside the EU, EEA or Switzerland do not require to be attested or apostilled as genuine.
- A translation of these documents is not required where a multilingual standard form (MSF) is also provided. Such MSF forms are available from Member States on request.
- If you do not provide an MSF , you must provide a translation of those documents into English or Irish in order to be accepted as evidence for Irish visa purposes.
- They include Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Death Certificates or Divorce Certificates. We will also accept the Extract of a European marriage certificate, issued in accordance with the “Convention on the issue of multilingual extracts from civil status records“, as proof of a marriage within the EEA or Switzerland.
Return of documents
We will return original marriage, birth and death certificates to you after we process your application. We generally do not return photocopied documents unless specifically asked to do so.
If there are specific photocopied documents you want returned, please include a list with your visa application.
Please note: You must include original documents when requested. Photocopies will not be accepted and your application may not be processed.
We may refuse your application if you do not submit all documents. Even if you submit everything required, there is no guarantee that we will grant you a visa.
Applications sent to Ireland can only be returned to a UK or Ireland address. You can arrange a courier service to collect your documents.
What happens next?
Applications are processed in date order.
You are advised not to purchase travel tickets before you know the outcome of your visa application.
When we receive your application, we will check that you have included:
- Signed and dated Application Summary Sheets
- Proof of payment of the visa application fee (if applicable)
- All other requested documents.
We may contact you to ask for more information or documents.
We may also:
- Send your passport/travel document for official authentication
- Contact An Garda Síochána (Irish police) for information about you
- Contact government departments or other agencies for information about you, such as INTERPOL.
We process visa applications in the order we receive them.
Processing times can vary between countries and different application types. They can also vary during high volume periods during the year.
However, applicants can expect a decision within approximately 8 weeks from the date their application was received at the visa office, embassy or consulate.
Please note: Your application may take longer if documents are missing, we need to verify them or because of personal circumstances. For example, if you have a criminal conviction.
Dublin Visa Office
If you sent your application to the Dublin Visa Office, new visa decisions and waiting times are published every Tuesday.
All other offices
If you sent your application to an international visa office, Irish embassy or consulate, contact that office for an update on your application.
- We will place an Irish visa into a blank page of your passport or travel document.
- We will return your passport or travel document and certain original documents by post, such as Marriage, Birth or Death Certificates and other documents listed by you.
Note on visas for young people (aged under 18):
An Irish visa issued to a young person aged under 18 will show if they are travelling alone (unaccompanied) or with an adult (accompanied).
- We will send you a Letter of Refusal that explains why your application was not approved.
- We will return your passport or travel document and certain original documents by post, such as Marriage, Birth or Death Certificates and other documents listed by you.
- Applications sent to Ireland can only be returned to a UK or Ireland address. You can arrange a courier service to collect your documents.
You can appeal a negative visa decision. You must submit an appeal within 2 months of the date on your Letter of Refusal. You do not have to pay to make an appeal.
At border control
An Irish visa allows you to travel to Ireland. It does not give you permission to enter the country.
You can be refused entry even if you have a visa.
When you arrive at border control, you must prove to the immigration officer that you have a valid reason for entering Ireland. To do so you will need your passport, visa and other documents. For example, you should bring copies of documents from your application with you when you travel.
If you cannot satisfy the immigration officer, you will not be able to enter Ireland.
Leaving Ireland and returning home
The period of time you are able to stay in Ireland is visible on the landing stamp in your passport. You must leave the country before your permission expires. Ireland does not issue exit stamps when leaving the country. It is against the law to remain here without permission.
Extending your stay
In rare and exceptional circumstances, you may apply to extend your permission to stay in Ireland.
To apply for an extension, the circumstances of your visit must change in an unforeseen way after you arrive in the country. We will not grant an extension for any non-emergency or foreseeable reason, such as additional tourism. You must be in Ireland to apply and submit an application before your existing permission expires.
