Citizens of certain countries must apply for a visa to enter Ireland before they travel here on business trips. Information on those who do not need an entry visa is available in our document: Visa requirements for entering Ireland.
Citizens of EU/EEA member states do not require a visa to travel to Ireland on business. (The members of the EEA are the 27 countries of the European Union (EU), together with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein).
Visa applicants must apply online for their visa. (See 'How to apply'.)
If you are coming to Ireland for a business meeting and you require a visa, you must present the following with your visa application.
There is more information on the documentation required for a business visa on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of the Department of Justice and Equality.
If you are coming to Ireland for a conference and you require a visa, you must present the following with your visa application:
The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service has more information on the documentation required for a conference visa.
Even if you do not require a visa to enter Ireland, all non-EEA nationals, including those with visas, must obtain permission to enter the State by reporting to an Immigration Officer at the port of entry. You should have supporting documentation relating to the pupose of your visit on your person when coming through immigration. You can read more in our document on permission to land in Ireland.
The visa issued to you allows you to enter the State once. If you have wish to leave for a short while and then return you must apply for a re-entry visa. (See 'How to apply' below for information on how to apply for a re-entry visa.)
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa (if required) for the country you intend travelling to. Please note that you must obtain a visa from the UK authorities before travelling to Northern Ireland (Counties Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone).
Information on those who do not need a visa to visit Ireland is available in our document: Visa requirements for entering Ireland. You do not require a visa if you are from an EU/EEA member state.
Standard non-refundable visa application processing fees are:
Single-journey visa: €60
Multiple-journey visa: €100
Certain applicants are not required to pay a fee. They include visa-required spouses and certain family members of EU/EEA citizens. In addition, applicants from some countries are not required to pay a fee. As this changes from time to time, you should check with your local Irish embassy or consulate, or with the Visa Office - see 'Where to apply'.
An online visa application facility was introduced to all Irish embassies and consulates on a phased basis during 2008. The online facility is now available worldwide and you must apply for a visa online. There is information on how to complete an online application in English (pdf) as well as in Arabic (pdf), Chinese (pdf), Russian (pdf), French (pdf), Turkish (pdf) and Urdu (pdf).
Details of what documents you will need and the photographic requirements are on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) website.
The Irish Government has started collecting biometric data from certain visa applicants. From March 2010 all visa applicants aged 6 years and over residing in Nigeria must provide fingerprints. You can find information about biometric data in this list of frequently asked questions on the INIS website.
The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service recommends that you should allow at least 8 weeks for your visa application to be processed.
Before applying for a re-entry visa you must register with the local immigration officer for the district in which you are staying (Garda National Immigration Bureau if staying in Dublin). You can read more about registration in our document on Registration of non-EEA nationals in Ireland.
Sent your completed Re-Entry Visa Application Form (pdf), along with all required documentation, by registered post to the:
Re-entry Visa Processing Office,
Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service,
13-14 Burgh Quay,
Dublin 2.
Apply for your re-entry visa well in advance of your proposed dates of travel. Postal applications for re-entry visas will be processed within 4 days of receipt and your re-entry visa will be returned to you by registered post.
You can also apply in person for a re-entry visa at the above address within certain hours. You will need to have a completed application form and all required documentation with you.
There is more information on applying for a re-entry visa, as well as information on photographic requirements on the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service website.
If you require a visa in order to enter Ireland, your application must be made online.
Your nearest Irish embassy or consulate.
Department of Justice and Equality
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
Ireland
Homepage: http://www.inis.gov.ie/
Email: visamail@justice.ie
13/14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
Ireland
Opening Hours:Mon to Thurs inclusive: 8am to 10pm, Friday 8am to 4pm
Tel:+353 1 666 9100
Homepage: http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=31
Email: gnib_dv@garda.ie