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Visas for Ireland

The Embassy’s standard visa processing time is 6 to 8 weeks. Applications sent to Ireland for processing may take longer. There is no express visa service.

Please read the information in the following sections carefully. This will help to ensure that you submit all the required documentation and avoid delays in processing your application.

Who needs a visa

Whether you need a visa to travel to Ireland depends on what country you're from. Visit the Irish Immigration Service Travel Path for more information regarding your personal requirements for travelling to Ireland.

Information on visa requirements for transiting through Ireland is available on IrishImmigration.ie

Please note that Ireland is not party to the Schengen Agreement, and a Schengen visa or residence permit does not entitle you to travel to Ireland without a visa.

Unless you qualify for the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme or the British Irish Visa Scheme a valid UK visa does not entitle you to travel to Ireland without a visa. Further information on these schemes is available on the website of the Irish Immigration Service.

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 entry even if you have a visa.

Remember…

If you're a citizen of a non-EEA country, whether you need a visa or not, you will be subject to immigration control when you enter Ireland.

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Types of Visa and Documentation

Full information on the different types of visas, required documentation, and how to apply can be found on the website of the Irish Immigration Service. 

Supporting documentation

We understand that compiling the documents for your visa application can seem complex. We are here to help.

Embassy Paris has developed resources to help you complete your application for the most common categories of application we receive.

Checklists

When you submit your paper application, please use the below checklists to ensure that you include all the necessary documents.

Please make sure to include your name and email address in block capitals. This makes it easier for us to contact you if we need to.

Checklist companion

There are specific requirements for all the documents you have to provide.

When you are completing your checklist, you should consult the Checklist Companion for each item on the list. This companion explains the requirements for each document in simple language.

It is your responsibility to meet these requirements. If you do, your application is more likely to be straightforward, efficient, and successful.

Model letters

All applications must be accompanied by an application letter that meets certain requirements.

In order to help you meet those requirements, we have prepared a model application letter. You should use this as the basis for your application letter, adding the relevant details for your own application.

We have also prepared three other model letters for specific categories of application where additional letters are required:

You can tell if you need to provide these letters by using your checklist.

Important note: Embassy Paris provides these resources as a practical way to help applicants through the application process for the most common categories of application we receive. They are not intended to cover all application categories or possible scenarios. We reserve the right to seek further documentation.

The authoritative guidance on visa application requirements is that provided on the Irish Immigration Service website.

Submitting your documents

You can submit your visa application documents in the following two ways:

  1. Registered Post to the Embassy of Ireland, Paris

Post your application documents to:

Ambassade d’Irlande, 4 rue Rude, 75116 Paris.

  1. Public Counter at the Embassy of Ireland, Paris

You can submit your documents in person at the Embassy of Ireland, 4 rue Rude, 75116 Paris. The consular public counter is open from 9:30am to 11:30am, Monday to Friday.

No appointment is necessary. However, groups of more than 4 applicants must organise a visa appointment in advance.

Keep an eye on our social media pages and website for information regarding public counter closures.

If you have any questions, contact us here.

Visa queries cannot be discussed over the phone. Visa applications can only be discussed with the applicant and via the email address associated with the application.

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How to apply

You need to:

  • Complete the online application form
  • This will generate an application summary form and declaration at the end, which you must print, sign and date.
  • Gather your supporting documentation, passport photograph and fee.
  • Submit your application

To complete the process, you must submit your passport and supporting documents for processing. Where you submit your application depends on where you are living. The summary application form will direct you to the relevant Embassy, Consulate or Visa Application Centre.

If you applied directly to an Irish Immigration Service Visa Office or if your application was referred to the Irish Immigration Service for a decision, you can check the Irish Immigration Service Visa Decision Weekly Listing using your reference number.

If you applied at an Embassy or Consulate, they will contact you once a decision on the visa application has been made.

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Visa appeals

If your visa application is refused, you will receive a letter from the visa office telling you why it has been refused and if you can appeal the decision.

Further information on appealing visa decisions is available on the website of the Irish Immigration Service.

All appeals are handled directly by the Irish Immigration Service.

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On arrival in Ireland

Further information on what to expect on arrival in Ireland can be found on the website of the Irish Immigration Service.

Information on entry for EU/EEA and Swiss nationals is available on IrishImmigration.ie. 

Information on entry for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals is available on IrishImmigration.ie.

Information on travelling with children is available on IrishImmigration.ie.

Information on transiting through Ireland is available on IrishImmigration.ie.

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Fees

Check the website of the Irish Immigration Service for information on preclearance and entry visa fees, including information on visa fee exemptions.

See the below Payment details section for further information on fees and payments.

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Payment details

We accept the following forms of payment:

If applying in the Embassy, payment can be made by debit or credit card, or by French cheque payable to ‘Ambassade d’Irlande’

If applying by post please include two cheques with your application:

  • A cheque for the applicable processing fee; and
  • A cheque for €10 for return postage costs.

The Embassy does not accept payment by bank transfer.

Nationals of certain countries are exempt from visa fees. Please see here for the list of countries whose nationals are exempt.

If you are exempt from visa fees and are applying by post, you must include a cheque for €10 for return postage.

The fees for visas are:

  • Single entry: €60 (for all first time applications)
  • Multi entry: €100
  • Transit: €25

The visa fee is an administration fee that covers the cost of processing your application. This fee will not be refunded if your application is refused, withdrawn, abandoned, or if your planned dates of travel pass.

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