In This Section
Introduction
A short stay performance or tournament visa allows you to come to Ireland for up to 90 days to stage a performance (for example, theatre or music) or to take part in a competitive tournament (for example, sport or dance).
All short stay visas are also called ‘C’ visas.
About this visa
A short stay ‘C’ performance or tournament visa allows you to come to Ireland for up to 90 days to stage a performance or to take part in a competitive tournament. This includes:
Culture, such as music, theatre or dance
Competitions, for example, chess or debating.
This visa also allows you to be paid to perform or take part in an event if the event lasts 14 days or less, for example a concert or sports competition with prize money. This visa does not allow you to:
Be paid to perform or take part in an event that lasts 15 days or longer
Work in any other way (paid or unpaid)
Rely on Irish public services, such as public hospitals.
Rules for a paid performance or event of 14 days or less
You should apply for a performance or tournament visa if you will be paid to perform or take part in an event within a single 14 day period (2 calendar weeks), based on the rules below.
If your application is successful, you must request ‘permission to work’ when you arrive at border control in Ireland. Make sure to bring documents with you when you travel, for example, the original contract.
The performance or event must start and end within a single 14 day period
For example, you may plan to perform for pay in Ireland for 3 days, then stop for 12 days (while remaining in Ireland) and then perform again for pay for 3 days.
In this example, your paid work will not start and end within a single 14 day period (2 calendar weeks), so you must apply for permission to work via the Atypical Working Scheme and (if successful) apply for a short stay employment visa.
You cannot perform or attend an event for pay more than once under this rule during 90 days
For example, if you are granted a multiple entry visa you may plan to perform for pay in Ireland for 3 consecutive days, then leave Ireland for 1 month and return again to perform for pay for another 3 days.
In this example, you are performing for pay (based on the 14 day rule) more than once within 90 days.
This is not permitted. You must apply for permission to work via the Atypical Working Scheme and (if successful) apply for a short stay employment visa.
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 you entry even if you have a visa.
Who needs to apply
You need a visa to come to Ireland if you travel using a passport issued by a country that is visa required or using a convention travel document issued by certain countries. Each traveller must apply for a separate visa.
A visa application for a young person (aged under 18) should be made by their parent or legal guardian. Extra conditions for young people also apply. You should not purchase travel tickets before you receive a decision on your visa application.
How to Apply
You must apply for a visa from your home country or a country where you are a legal resident. Prepare your application 3 months before you travel.
Your application has 3 parts:
Create a visa application online
Pay the visa application fee
Send your passport and other documents for processing.
You will be given information about where to send your documents after you create your visa application. If your application is successful, an Irish visa will be placed into your passport or travel document and returned to you. In general, you can expect a decision about 8 weeks after we receive your documents.
Important: 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.
Create your visa application online
Answer all questions in AVATS fully and honestly.
Short stay performance or tournament visa
To travel to Ireland for business for up to 90 days, select the following options in AVATS:
Visa type: ‘short stay (C)’
Reason for travel: ‘Performance or tournament’
Journey type: ‘single’ or ‘multiple’ (as appropriate for you).
Note: Multiple entry visas are approved in limited circumstances only.
Application summary
When finished, you will be shown a web page with important summary information, including your:
Visa Application Transaction Number: Keep a note of this number. You will need it to check progress on your application or when contacting us
Application summary sheets: Print, sign and date these sheets and send them to your application office (as below), along with your passport and other documents
Application office: Send your application to the office address shown on your summary sheet. Your application office may be the Dublin visa office, an international visa office or an Irish Embassy or Consulate worldwide, depending on where you apply from. (In some cases, your application office may send your application to a different office for a visa decision).
Visa application fee
Payment methods and currency options may differ between offices. Contact your application office to find out how to pay. Some applicants are exempt and do not pay visa fees. Current fees are:
€60: Single entry – Short stay ‘C’ visa
€100: Multiple entry – Short stay ‘C’ visa
Extra charges may apply for some applications, for example consular fees.
The visa fee covers the administrative cost of processing your application. It will not be refunded if your application is withdrawn or refused.
Documents Required
Application summary sheets
Letter from the organiser
Sponsorship letters for group members
Medical or Travel insurance
Travel to-or-from Ireland through a different country
Obligations to return home
Print, sign and date the application summary sheets (from AVATS) and include them with your application documents, listed below.
- Your full name and postal address
- A description of the performance or tournament and who is organising it
- The reason you want to take part and if you will be paid
- Reason you want to come to Ireland
- Dates you plan to arrive and leave
- Names and addresses of any members of your family who currently live in Ireland or any other EU/EEA country or Switzerland
- How the organiser of the performance or tournament knows you
- The reason that they asked you to attend
- Sign and date your letter.
Your letter must 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.
You must ask the organiser of the performance or tournament to send you a letter with the information listed below. Include this letter with your application.
The letter must include a description about:
- The event, including when and where it will be held
- The organiser, including their past experience of organising similar events (if any)
- How the organiser knows you and why they asked you to attend.
The letter must include:
- Confirmation that you have been asked to attend
- A statement that the only reason you have been invited to Ireland is to attend the performance or tournament
- A statement about whether you will be paid to attend or not
- A statement about whether the organiser will help to pay for the costs of your visit (if anything):
- This statement must indicate if the organiser will pay for ‘all’, ‘some’ or ‘none’ of the costs of your visit
- If ‘all’ or ‘some’, the letter must include an estimate of everything the organiser will pay for, for example airline tickets, accommodation, living expenses.
If the organiser has agreed to pay you to attend, ask them to include a copy of your contract that shows the agreed amount and performance/attendance details. If you wish to attend more than one performance or tournament in Ireland, you must obtain a separate letter/contract from each organiser.
In your application letter include a description of everywhere you will stay in Ireland (for example, hotel, hostel), including the dates you will stay at each place. Include printed reservation confirmations (emails or letters) of your accommodation, from:
- Hotels, guesthouses, hostels, B&Bs, AirBnBs, campsites
- 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 are staying with a host in their home, ask each host to send you a letter with the information listed below:
- The host’s full name
- The host’s home address in Ireland
- Confirmation by the host that you have been invited
- The dates you will stay with the host
- A statement by your host about what they will contribute to the cost of your visit. The statement must indicate if they will pay for ‘all’, ‘some’ or ‘none’ of the costs of your visit. If ‘all’ or ‘some’, the letter must include an estimate of everything they will pay for, for example airline tickets, accommodation, living expenses (see Finance plan).
You must include proof of your host’s address, this should be an original utility bill, from within the last 6 months, for example:
- Electricity or gas
- Fixed line telephone, TV or broadband
- A printout of a bill from the internet can only be accepted where it is high quality colour and clearly shows the address of the host and the contact details of the utility.
If your application for a visa is approved, you must get travel/medical insurance before you travel. You will not be allowed to enter Ireland without it. In some cases, you may be asked to submit proof that you have travel/medical insurance before a visa is granted.
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 proof that 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.
- Your current passport
- A photocopy of each page from all previous passports you have (where available).
Your current passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Ireland. Your application will be delayed if you do not provide copies of all previous passports you have.
Include a letter that describes your travel plan to-or-from Ireland if you intend to:
- Travel to Ireland directly from a country that is not your home country, or a country where you are a legal resident
- Or travel from Ireland directly to a different country
- The letter must state if you need visas for those countries (or not).
If relevant, apply for those countries’ visas before you apply for an Irish visa. Your application for an Irish visa may be refused 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 that you have permission to be in that 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 money to support yourself fully in Ireland.
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 business trip include:
- An up-to-date bank statement, it must be original and on headed bank paper. 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) that confirms you can withdraw money from it.
Do not submit your employer’s bank statements unless requested to do so. You must also include a written explanation of any large movements of money in or out of your account, if appropriate.
If your business host or accommodation host is helping to pay for your business trip
- Include the letter from your host that lists everything they will pay for example the cost of airline tickets in Euro (as above).
If someone else (a third party) is helping to pay for your visit
Include an explanation of how and why your business trip is being paid for by a third party. You must include the third party’s:
- Full name and address
- Telephone number
- Email address (if available)
- Website (if appropriate)
- Proof of the relationship between you and the third party, for example copies of letters, emails, photographs together
- Your own personal bank statement, following the same rules as described above.
You must include proof that you will leave Ireland when your business trip ends. You must show that you have a strong obligation to return home (to your country of residence) for economic, social or family reasons, see examples below:
Work
If you are employed at home, you must show that you have an obligation to return to it. You should provide:
- Your 3 most recent original payslips
- A letter from your employer that states:
- How long they have employed you
- The dates you are on a business trip
- The date you will be returning to work.
Self-employed
You must show that you have an obligation to continue it. You should provide:
- A description of your business and the products or services you provide
- Proof that your business is trading, for example:
- Your most recent financial accounts
- Recent tax return (original)
- Confirmations of payments from customers from within last 6 months (printed emails or letters).
- Proof of a business reason to come to Ireland, for example:
- Communication by you with companies or organisations in Ireland (printed emails or letters)
- The date you will return to your business at home.
Education or study
If you are a student at home, you must show that you have an obligation to return to continue your studies. You should provide a letter from your school or college that states:
- The course you are studying
- How many years you have been a student there
- How many years or semesters you have left there
- That your school or college expects you return to your studies after your visit to Ireland.
Family
If you have a family at home, you must prove that you will return to them. Include a description of your family that describes:
- Your family status (married, co-habiting, separated, divorced, widowed)
- If you have children, or dependents such as elderly parents.
If you are married and your spouse is not coming to Ireland with you, you should include your original Marriage Certificate with your application. If you have children aged under 18 and they are not coming to Ireland with you, you should include their original Birth Certificates with your application.
Property
If you own or rent property in your country of residence, include a description of it with your application. You should also include other documents as proof, for example your original tenancy or rental agreement or a photocopy of your property title deed.
If you were ever refused a visa by any country, type or write a description about it. You must also include the original letter sent to you by the authorities that refused your application.
Important: Your application for an Irish visa will be refused if you do not include information about past visa refusals.
Guidance on documentation
You must send the documents listed above to your application office within 30 days of creating an application via AVATS. Your application will not be processed until everything is received. Prepare your documents carefully. They contain information we need to make a decision about you. It is your responsibility to satisfy us that a visa should be granted.
Do not submit documentation on USB sticks, memory cards, CD ROMs as documents on these devices cannot be accessed. You should also not submit documentation on file sharing platforms such as Drop Box, Sharefile. Documents in hardcopy format only will be accepted.
We do not accept photocopies (except where stated).
Letters from companies, universities, schools, colleges and so on, must be on official headed paper so they can be verified, and show the organisation’s:
- Full name
- Full postal address
- Telephone number (fixed line – not mobile/cell phone)
- Website address
- Email address (Yahoo and Hotmail email addresses are not accepted)
- A contact person’s name and title/position
- Written signature of an authorised representative (electronic signature is not accepted).
You must provide a full and certified translation into the English or Irish language of any documents not in English or Irish. Send us both the original documents and the certified translations.
Read a longer description about how to make a certified translation of a document.
We will return marriage, birth and death certificates to you after your application is processed.
If there are other documents you want returned, type or write a list of the documents you want and:
- Include the list with your visa application
- Include the original documents from the list (we will return these after processing)
- Include a photocopy of each document (we will keep these).
“Any State issued official documents, such as Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Death Certificates, Divorce Certificates that were issued by a State outside of the EEA or Switzerland, must be attested/apostilled as genuine by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the State that issued the document, in order that it can be accepted as evidence for Irish visa purposes. Such documents are required to be translated into English or Irish, if necessary. Translations done outside the EEA or Switzerland must also be attested/apostilled as genuine, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country in which the translation occurs. Send us both the original documents and the certified translations. Translations done in the EEA or Switzerland do not need to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Any State issued official documents, such as Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Death Certificates, Divorce Certificates that were issued by a State within the EEA or Switzerland do not require to be attested as genuine from Member States. 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 an MSF is not provided by you then those documents are required to be translated into English or Irish, if necessary in order that it can be accepted as evidence for Irish visa purposes. Translations done outside the EEA or Switzerland must also be attested/apostilled as genuine, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country in which the translation occurs. Translations done in the EEA or Switzerland do not need to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 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. Send us both the original documents and the certified translations.”
Note: You must include the original documents. Do not send photocopies only.
Your application may be refused if you do not submit all documents. Even if you submit everything required, there is no guarantee that a visa will be granted.
Send your documents
When you are satisfied that you have prepared your application documents, put them into a strong padded envelope and send them to your application office. If you are making a visa application for yourself and another person, you may send them together. To send together:
Be sure to pay the correct postage for large packages.
After you apply
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 documents listed above.
When reviewing your application we may contact you to ask for more information or documents. We may also:
Send your passport or 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, for example: INTERPOL.
Biometric Information
In some cases, you may need to provide biometric information as part of your application. Contact your application office (as listed on your application summary sheet) to find out if you need to provide biometric information and how to do so.
Visa decisions
Visa applications are processed in the order they are received. Processing times differ between application offices and application types and may also vary during the year, for example at holiday periods.
In general, you can expect a decision for a short stay ‘C’ exam visa about 8 weeks after your documents are received.
Note: Your application may take longer if documents are missing, need to be verified or because of personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction.
Where to check your visa decision
Dublin visa office
If your application was sent to the Dublin visa office, new visa decisions and waiting times are published every Tuesday.
All other offices
If you send your application to an international visa office, Irish Embassy or Consulate, contact that office for an update on your application.
If your visa is approved
An Irish visa will be placed into a blank page of your passport or travel document.
Your passport or travel document and certain original documents (for example: marriage, birth or death certificates and other documents listed by you) will be returned to you by post or arranged for collection at an international visa office, Irish Embassy or Consulate.
If your visa application is refused
You will be sent a ‘letter of refusal’ that explains why your application was not approved.
Your passport or travel document and certain original documents (for example: marriage, birth or death certificates and other documents listed by you) will be returned to you by post or arranged for collection at an international visa office, Irish Embassy or Consulate.
Appeal a visa decision
You can appeal a negative visa decision at no cost. To do so, you must submit an appeal within 2 months of the date on your letter of refusal.
When you travel
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.
Border Control
When you arrive at border control, you must prove that you have a valid reason for entering Ireland to the immigration officer. 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. Read a longer description about what to expect at border control for information on suggested documents to present at border control.
If you cannot satisfy the immigration officer, you will not be allowed into Ireland. If you are given permission to enter, the officer will place a ‘landing stamp’ in your passport. The landing stamp shows the reason for your visit (for example, business, work) and how long you can stay, up to a maximum of 90 days.
Leaving Ireland and returning home
The time period you are permitted to stay in Ireland is shown on the landing stamp in your passport. You must leave the country before your permission expires. It is against the law to remain here without permission.
Extend a stay for unforeseen circumstances
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 unexpected way after you arrive in Ireland.
An extension will not be granted to attend a meeting/event or any non-emergency or probable reason. You must be in Ireland to apply and submit an application before your existing permission expires.
Visas for people aged under 18
A business visa application for a young person (aged under 18) should be made by their parent or legal guardian. The process follows the same steps described above with some extra conditions (as below) to protect the young person’s safety.
An Irish visa issued to a young person aged under 18 will show if they are travelling alone (unaccompanied) or with an adult (accompanied). Read a longer description of Irish visas issued to young people and the conditions that apply.
