Documentation required when applying for a visa to visit Ireland

(Holiday, visit friends/family, attend a wedding etc.)

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL DOCUMENTS LISTED BELOW MUST BE INCLUDED WITH YOUR APPLICATION

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

All documents must be ORIGINAL (unless otherwise stated)

All documents must be in English (or be accompanied by a notarised translation)

Important Notes

• All letters should be dated within the 4 week period immediately prior to your application date

• The Visa Officer reserves the right to request additional documentation, if required, in support of your application

• The provision of all of the documentation listed does not guarantee that a visa will be granted

Please refer to the following webpage for information on preparing your application and the conditions associated with any

visa that may be granted to you: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/visas-policy-guidance

1. Application Form:

• Online summary application form, signed and dated by you, the applicant

2. Passport(s):

• Your original passport, valid for at least 6 months after your date of departure from Ireland with at least 2

blank visa pages

• If you hold other passports, or have held previous passports, you must also submit them with your

application. If you are unable to do so include a written explanation along with any relevant police reports

• Photocopy of your bio-page and all visas and stamps in your passport(s) – all immigration stamps and visas

for all travel.

3. Photo:

• 2 recent photos (not more than 6 months old) that conforms to the requirements detailed

here: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/visa-application-photos

4. Residence Permission:

• Evidence that you have permission to reside in the country from which you are applying.

• Photocopy of your permission to reside in the country from which you are applying (copy of front & back

of residency card or stamp or sticker in passport)

5. Processing Fee:

• Please check our website to see if you are required to pay a fee. Applications submitted by post must

include proof of payment. Applications submitted at Embassies or Honorary Consulates must be paid for

in cash. No card payments can be accepted.

6. Purpose of Travel:

• A signed letter giving full details of the reason for your visit to Ireland (holiday, visiting family/friends etc)

and any family/friends in Ireland. These details should be provided regardless of your accommodation

details e.g. even if you are not staying with your reference in Ireland.

7. Previous Visa Refusal Details:

• Details of any previous Irish visa applications you have made, including any which were refused

• Details of any visa refusal(s) for any other country. Failure to disclose previous visa refusals will result in

your Irish visa application being refused

• Photocopy of any original documentation to do with previous visa refusal(s)

8. Family/Friends in Ireland

• An original, up-to-date, signed letter of invitation from your reference in Ireland, including their address

• A copy of your reference’s passport bio-page and signature

• A copy of your reference’s current Irish residence permission (IRP or GNIB card and immigration stamps)

if your reference is a non-EEA national

• Details of how you are known or related to your reference and, if required, supporting evidence of this

9. Accommodation:

• If you are staying in a hotel, guesthouse or B&B accommodation you must include a copy of confirmation

of the reservation, including the address of the accommodation, your name and the exact dates of your

stay

10. Proof of Employment/Study:

• An original, up-to-date, signed letter from your place of employment or study on headed paper with full

contact details. This should include details of your employment or course of study and confirm that you

will be returning there following your visit to Ireland

11. Self-Employed:

You must provide documentary evidence of your business/company in the form of:

• An original, signed and dated letter of headed paper form your solicitor/accountant/tax consultant

• Recent correspondence relating to your self-employment from the relevant government authority in your

country of residency.

• The original letter of incorporation

• Up-to-date bank statements for your business bank account covering the 6 month period immediately

prior to your application

• Photocopies of any original document that you want returned to you

12. Evidence of Funds:

Please note that there is no set amount of funds that will result in the approval or refusal of an application. The

Visa Officer will decide whether your have enough funds based on your individual circumstances.

• Your 3 most recent payslips.

• Your up-to-date bank statements for the 6-month period immediately prior to your application showing

most recent transactions for the account, including any salary or other regular income, up to the date of

your application.

o Be original or a print-out which has been stamped by a branch of your bank

o Show your current address

o Show availability of sufficient funds to cover the costs of your proposed trip. Lump sum

lodgements made shortly before your application will not be considered

• In the event that you are being supported by a spouse, partner or member of your family or reference in

Ireland they should provide:

o An original, signed and dated letter stating that they are undertaking to support you during your

trip to Ireland

o Bank statements to the same criteria as described above

o Evidence of their relationship to you, e.g. marriage certificate

• Photocopies of any bank statements you want returned to you

13. Obligation(s) to return:

• Evidence of economic, family and social reasons to return to your country of residency, e.g. an original,

up-to-date, signed letter from your place of employment or study on headed paper with full contact

details. Also a family book, marriage certificate, children’s birth certificate, tenancy contract, copy of

property title deed etc.

14. Applications for children under 18 years of age:

• Child’s original birth certificate showing the names of both parents

• Photocopy of child’s birth certificate

• A letter from the child’s school/nursery school confirming current attendance.

• The written consent of both parents for the child to travel to Ireland OR original legal documentation

showing sole-guardianship and a photocopy of this document

• Original photo ID for both parents, as named on the child’s birth certificate, which includes signatures and

a photocopy of these documents

11. Family/Friends in Ireland:

• An original, up-to-date, signed letter of invitation from your reference in Ireland, including their address

• A copy of your reference’s passport bio-page and signature

• A copy of your reference’s current Irish residence permission (IRP or GNIB card and immigration stamps) if

your reference is a non-EEA national

• Details of how you are known or related to your reference and, if required, supporting evidence of this

8. Proof of Employment/Study:

• An original, up-to-date, signed letter from your place of employment or study on headed paper with full

contact details. This should include details of your employment or course of study and confirm that you will

be returning there following your visit to Ireland

9. Self-Employed:

You must provide documentary evidence of your business/company in the form of:

• An original, signed and dated letter of headed paper form your solicitor/accountant/tax consultant

• Recent correspondence relating to your self-employment from the relevant government authority in your

country of residency.

• The original letter of incorporation

• Up-to-date bank statements for your business bank account covering the 6 month period immediately prior

to your application

• Photocopies of any original document that you want returned to you

14. Applications for children under 18 years of age:

• Child’s original birth certificate showing the names of both parents

• Photocopy of child’s birth certificate

• A letter from the child’s school/nursery school confirming current attendance OR a letter from a GP

confirming the registration of the child (Ask Miriam/Check UKBA for info).

• The written consent of both parents for the child to travel to Ireland OR original legal documentation

showing sole-guardianship and a photocopy of this document

• Original photo ID for both parents, as named on the child’s birth certificate, which includes signatures and a

photocopy of these documents