An Irish visa is required by visitors from countries outside the European Union, USA and (Australia & Canada?)
The granting of an Irish visa is, in effect, only a form of pre-entry clearance. It does not grant permission to enter Ireland. Immigration Officers have authority to grant or deny admission. Visa holders are subject to normal immigration control at the point of entry. They should therefore carry with them, for possible presentation to Immigration Officers, the originals or copies of the documents submitted with their applications.

Visa applicants require a valid visa each time they enter the State, including entry via the UK. This also applies to persons who have current permission to reside in the State.

A visa does not grant permission to stay in Ireland. The date of validity shown on the visa indicates only the date before which it must be presented to an Immigration Officer. The length of stay is decided by an Immigrations Officers at the port of entry. Irish law does not provide for a permanent residence visa. Travel tickets should not be booked or paid for by applicants until their applications have been approved.
Department of Foreign Affairs
Dublin
June 1998

APPLICATIONS:
Applications must normally be made through the Irish Embassy or Consulate in the applicant's country of permanent residence and applicants may be required to attend for personal interview. If there is no Irish Embassy or Consulate in the applicant's country of permanent residence the application may be made through any Irish Embassy or Consulate, through the applicant's reference in Ireland or direct by post to the Visa Office, Department of Foreign Affairs, 69-71 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin.2. Ireland. (Tel:[353 1] 478 0822).

Applicants passports should be valid for at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from Ireland following visits.
Three recently-taken passport-size colour photographs must also be submitted with applications.

OTHER ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED WITH VISA APPLICATIONS:

ON BUSINESS / TO ATTEND CONFERENCE:
(A) Letter of invitation from Irish company stating the reason for and duration of proposed visit and responsibility for the applicant's accommodation/maintenance costs; or
(B) Letter from conference host setting out details including nature, duration and programme of conference and responsibility for accommodation/maintenence costs.

FOR VISIT/HOLIDAY:
(A) Confirmation of hotel booking or letter from reference in Ireland undertaking to provide the applicants with accommodation during his/her stay; and
(B) Evidence that the applicant has sufficient funds to maintain him/herself during his/her stay (e..g recent bank statement) or letter from reference in Ireland undertaking to support the applicant financially during his/her stay; and
(C) Evidence of obligations in the applicant's country of permanent residence, e.g. letter from employer/college certifying intention to return after the visit.

FOR STUDY / TRAINING / EXAMINATION PURPOSES:
(A) Letter of registration from college/school verifying the duration/nature of the course or examination; and
(B) Evidence that the requisite fees have been paid in full; and
(C) Evidence that the applicant has sufficient funds to maintain him/herself for the period of his/her proposed stay

FOR EMPLOYMENT PURPOSES (INCLUDING PUBLIC PERFORMANCES):
(A) Work Permit; or
(B) Written confirmation from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment that a work permit will issue; and
(C) Schedule of performances (performing artists).
PROCESSING TIME/DECISIONS
While many applicants are decided quickly (for example those of Government officials, well-travelled business people and persons with residents rights in Ireland or Europe or with valid visas for other EU or Schengen Member States) others, such as those from people intending to work, study or come as tourists, may have to be referred for decision to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in Dublin. In all cases, therefore, applicants should apply at least three weeks (five weeks if by post) in advance of the intended date of departure for Ireland. Minimum communications costs, of which details are available from them, will be charged by Irish Embassies and Consulates who wish to have their applications expedited. Consulates have to refer all applications to a supervising Embassy or to Dublin.

APPLICATION FEES
Details of application fees are available from Irish Embassies and Consulates and from the Visa Office in Dublin. Applications made direct to the Visa Office should be accompanied by the relevant fee in Irish pounds (bank drafts only), payable to DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DUBLIN). Application fees are non-refundable. (Webmaster Note: Typically fees are ir£20 to ir£40). Applicants who are married to EU citizens are exempt from fees.

APPEALS
Should an applicant be refused, the applicants may apply to have it reconsidered by the Visa Appeals Officer, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, 72-76 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin.2. (Tel: [353 1] 602 8202). Any further information or additional documents which it is wished to have taken into account should be sent to the Visa Appeals Office. This can be done direct or through the Irish Embassy or Consulate through which the application was made. Appeals cannot be dealt with over the telephone.