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Embassy of Ireland, Canada

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Embassy of Ireland, Canada

Visa Information

As part of the combined efforts to tackle COVID-19 and to ensure customer safety, we have taken the decision to temporarily cease accepting new visa applications. This is effective from close of business 20th of March 2020.

Certain priority/emergency cases will continue to be processed. For further information please see the website of Immigration Service Delivery. For priority/emergency visa applications, please contact us directly so that we can guide you through the application process and advise you how to submit your documentation.

COVID 19 Update – Visa Service

As part of a wide range of travel measures announced on the 26 January, and in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, visa-free travel to Ireland for nationals of South Africa and all countries in South America has been suspended from midnight on the 27th January. Nationals of these countries will require to be in possession of an entry visa or transit visa, as appropriate, for travel to Ireland regardless of where they reside or the purpose of their travel to Ireland. See Government press release here

In addition, with effect from 29 January 2021, the Department of Justice has temporarily ceased accepting new visa/ preclearance applications globally.

Increasing travel restrictions and the measures introduced as part of the Irish Government’s efforts to interrupt the transmission of COVID-19 means that travel may not be possible and even if possible is not advisable unless absolutely essential. It is currently against the law for any person (regardless of nationality or passport) to travel within Ireland for non-essential purposes and people can be fined for doing so. Enforcement of this has been strongly increased over the last few days.

These measures are designed to support our public health restrictions on movement, including into and out of Ireland. 

The strong advice is that everyone, regardless of their nationality, visa/preclearance status, or the origin of travel, who cannot provide proof of an essential purpose to travel to or within Ireland, should not travel to Ireland.

The situation will continue to be reviewed in consultation with the relevant authorities in the coming weeks. 

We intend to resume accepting visa applications as soon as safety concerns abate.

In the meantime, only certain emergency cases will be processed. Further information is available on the website of Immigration Service Delivery. 

For emergency visa applications, please contact us directly so that we can guide you through the application process and advise you how to submit your documentation.

Who needs a Visa Show the panel body Hide the panel body

You can check if you need an Irish visa on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).

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, a valid UK visa does not entitle you to travel to Ireland without a visa.

 

Types of Visa and Documentation Show the panel body Hide the panel body

Information on types of visa and required documentation can be found on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).

Visa Appeals Show the panel body Hide the panel body

If your application has been refused, you will be sent a letter outlining the reasons for refusal.

If you still wish to travel to Ireland, you can appeal this decision within two months of receiving the refusal notice.

Further information on appealing visa decisions can be found on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). All appeals are handled directly by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).

How to Apply Show the panel body Hide the panel body

To apply for a visa, you must:

  • Complete the online application form
  • Check the “Fees” information on this page and pay the appropriate fee to the Embassy
  • Compile your application, which must include:
    • The online summary sheet signed by you, with a valid photo
    • Current passport and any previous passports (or copies of previous passports if originals unavailable)
    • All required supporting documents
  • The online application system will automatically request you to submit your documentation to the relevant Embassy

You can also send your application by registered post or by courier. Additionally, the completed application may be dropped to the Embassy in person.

Please note that we can only process fully complete applications. The onus is on the applicant to ensure their application is complete. Any missing documentation may result in longer processing times and potential refusal.

On Arrival in Ireland Show the panel body Hide the panel body

Further information on what to expect on arrival in Ireland can be found on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).

Fees Show the panel body Hide the panel body

Check the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) for fees in Euro.

Some applicants are not required to pay the visa processing fee, including visa-required spouses and qualifying family members of EEA citizens (including Irish nationals). To see what other applicants are fee-exempt, please check the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). 

Payment Details

We accept the following forms of payment:

Canadian bank draft, money order, or certified cheque: payable to Embassy of Ireland in Canadian Dollars.

Euro not accepted, personal cheques are not accepted.

Credit card: please include the name on card, card number, and expiry date. Please do not include the three or four digit security code.

Debit cards are not accepted.

Return of passport and original documents

Please include a prepaid self-addressed registered mail/courier/Xpresspost waybill/envelope

If you would prefer that the Embassy arrange shipping an additional fee applies. Please refer to the fee schedule below for your preferred method of shipping.

Registered post (domestic)

$15

Courier (domestic)

$60

Courier (Jamaica or Bahamas)

$80

Important Information

There is a separate application process for Working Holiday Programme visas. Working Holiday schemes are for use by young people who are citizens of Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan and New Zealand who wish to stay in Ireland for an extended holiday and wish to work in order to fund their stay.

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