In This Section

Introduction
Change in circumstances
Eligibility
Request an Extension of Visitor Permission

What happens if my application is approved?
What happens if my application is refused?
Frequently asked questions
Contact Us

Introduction

If you come to Ireland as a visitor, for example on a holiday or to visit family or friends, you are expected to leave Ireland before the expiry of your visitor permission.

Visitor permission is granted at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at your port of entry to the State. The maximum amount of time that you can be given to visit at the border is 90 days regardless of whether or not you require a visa to travel to Ireland.

Change in circumstances

If there is an unexpected change in your circumstances since you entered Ireland, you may apply for a temporary extension of your visitor permission up to a maximum of 90 additional days.

Applications will be refused for the following reasons:

  • There is no change in circumstances from the time you entered Ireland

  • There is no change in circumstances from the time you were granted a travel visa

  • You are in Ireland to seek medical attention

  • You are seeking a permission to marry in Ireland

  • You are in Ireland to provide childcare facilities

  • You wish to live in Ireland full time.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for an extension of visitor permission if:

  • You have current visitor permission to be in Ireland, or

  • You have entered on a ‘C’ visit visa within the last 90 days and

  • There is an unexpected change of circumstances since you entered Ireland, and/or

  • You are unfit to travel. This needs to be verified by a medical doctor.

You are not eligible to make an application:

  • If you hold any permission other than a visitor permission you are not eligible to make an application

  • If you have no immigration permission

  • If you are awaiting the outcome of another application with Immigration Service Delivery.

Request an Extension of Visitor Permission

There are two ways in which you can apply for an extension of your visitor permission:

  • If you were granted less than 90 days visitor permission at the port of entry and are still in permission, you should attend at your local immigration office and request an extension up to the maximum of 90 days. You must bring your original passport and details of your departure flight to the immigration office

  • If, due to unexpected circumstances, you need to extend your visitor permission beyond 90 days you can apply to Immigration Service Delivery. If your visitor permission is still valid, and you wish to extend stay this visit beyond 90 days , you may apply to Immigration Service Delivery as set out below.

You can submit your application, with all the required documentation, for extension of visitor permission through the dedicated Customer Service portal. You can register for an account or log in to your existing account. Submitting applications via the Customer Service area ensures more efficient and speedy processing.

Select ‘Submit Query’ and choose the correct options from the following categories:
‘Domestic Residence and Permissions>I want to submit an application>Extension of Visitor Permission’
Please attach your signed and fully completed application form in PDF format

However it is also possible to apply by post. Postal applications can be sent to this address. Please note: postal applications will take longer to process.

Request an Extension of Visitor Permission
Unit C – Domestic Residence and Permissions Division
Immigration Service Delivery
Department of Justice
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2, DO2 XK70

All of the following documents must accompany your application:

  • A completed Application Form

  • A copy of the biodata page of your current passport showing entry stamp into Ireland

  • A copy of the page in your passport showing your entry stamp into Ireland

  • Evidence of private medical insurance (travel insurance to cover the period will suffice with medical cover)

  • Evidence of sufficient funds while in Ireland

  • You should also provide documentary supporting evidence, such as medical reports if applicable.

What happens if my application is approved?

If your application is approved we will send a letter to advise you. You then must attend at your local registration office to register your permission. Please note it is an offence not to register the permission granted to you. A registration fee of €300 will apply to register your permission.

On expiry of your extended visitor permission, you must produce evidence of your departure from Ireland. Please contact us through the dedicated Customer Service portal. You can log in to your existing account.

Select ‘Submit Query’ and choose the correct options from the following categories:
‘Domestic Residence and Permissions>Evidence of Departure
Please attach evidence of your departure

What happens if my application is refused?

We will advise you in writing that your application has been refused. On expiry of your current visitor permission, you must produce evidence of your departure from Ireland. If you have any questions about re-entry visas, please contact us through the dedicated Customer Service portal. You can register for an account or log in to your existing account.

Failure to provide evidence of your departure from Ireland may affect any future applications made to Immigration Service Delivery (such as visa applications or re-entry to the State).

Frequently asked questions

The following conditions will apply to your extended temporary permission to remain in the State:

  • You will obey the laws of the State
  • You will not become involved in criminal activity
  • You will not enter into employment
  • You will not avail of State funding, services or benefits
  • You accept that the granting of your extended temporary permission to remain does not give any entitlement to another person make an application to enter or remain in the State with you.

There is no fee to make an application. If your application is successful you must pay a registration fee of €300 at your local immigration office.

No. You will not be granted an extension of visitor permission to help out with childcare arrangements. You will not be granted an extension of visitor permission to mind your children, grandchildren, nieces/nephews.

No. You will not be granted an extension of visitor permission to attend a family event. It is expected that you would time your visit to cover the event.

No. You will not be granted an extension of visitor permission to live with your family. As you are a visa required national you must apply for a long stay (join family) visa from outside Ireland.

No. You will not be granted an extension of visitor permission while you wait to be interviewed/wait for important documents to arrive/to organise your wedding.

No. You will not be granted an extension of visitor permission while you await the outcome of a work permit application.

No. You will not be granted an extension of visitor permission while you await the outcome of another application.

No. Once you entered Northern Ireland you have left the jurisdiction of the Republic of Ireland. If you wish to extend your permission to remain as a visitor when you are in Northern Ireland, you need to contact the UK immigration authorities.

Contact Us

Please contact us through the dedicated Customer Service portal. You can register for an account or log in to your existing account.

This page was last updated on December 16, 2024