Application requirements for an Irish Conference Visa

If you are visa required national, you need a Short Stay Conference Visa to come to Ireland to attend a conference. All short stay visas are also called 'C' visas.

You may apply for a Multiple-Entry visa, if you have a compliant travel history and can provide evidence that you will be attending a series of conferences in Ireland. Please note that the issuance of a Multiple Entry visa remains at the discretion of the Visa Officer.

You cannot travel to the UK (including Northern Ireland) using an Irish visa, unless your visa has the letters 'BIVS' written on it. More details on the British Irish Visa Scheme can be found here.

If your visa does not have the letters 'BIVS' written on it, you will need a UK visa to enter the UK (including Northern Ireland).

Chinese nationals are permitted to transit through the UK on route to Ireland if the letters 'BC' are written on their Irish visa.

Please be advised, that all documents in a language different from English must be accompanied by a notarized translation into English.

You are required to provide photocopies of all original documents.

It is strongly recommended not to purchase travel tickets prior to a decision being made on your visa application. Doing so may lead to unnecessary additional costs in circumstances where a visa is not granted.

You are not entitled to work in Ireland.

It is not possible to change your immigration status while in Ireland.

Short Stay Conference

Documents Required

• Signed visa application summary form. Please refer to our How to Apply page.
• Current passport with 2 clear pages and valid for at least 6 months after your return from Ireland.
• 2 photocopies of the passport identity and signature page.
• If you have held a previous passport, you must submit your previous passport with your application. If you are unable to do so, a written explanation must be provided along with any relevant police reports.
• Copy of Chinese immigration records from the National Immigration Administration Bureau (https://s.nia.gov.cn.) This is a free service which is also available on WeChat.

• 2 colour passport photographs taken in the last 6 months (one to be glued to the top left of your application form). The photographs must meet INIS specifications. Please see our General Information page.
• Evidence of visa fee payment.
• Photocopy of applicant's social insurance book with official English translation for applicants residing in Mongolia.
• Photocopy of applicant's household registration/Hukou book with official English translation.
• For foreign residents: Residence permit and valid re-entry visa if applicable.
• A signed letter of application from the applicant outlining the nature and duration of the visit to Ireland, itinerary, and contact details of the applicant for verification purposes. The letter must also state that the applicant agrees to obey by conditions of his/her short-stay visa.
• Letter from your current employer on headed paper confirming:
  • Details of your current employment (job title, length employed, salary)
  • Letter should state the name, date of birth, and passport number of the applicant
  • Employment letter should include contact details of employer so that the information can be verified. The letter must include a full postal address, name of contact, position in company, telephone number (landline) and email address. Email addresses such as Yahoo or Hotmail are not accepted. The website address for the company should also be provided, if possible.
  • Your proposed attendance at the conference and the relevance of the conference to your employment/professional development
  • Location of the conference and duration of your proposed stay
  • If your employer is a private company and is paying for the trip, we require the company's bank account statement, covering previous 6 months, certified by bank.
• Photocopy and official English translation of the business licence of the applicant's company (if self-employed)/employer's company.
• Letter from the conference host in Ireland on headed paper confirming:
  • Your attendance at the conference
  • Details of the date, nature, location and duration of the conference
  • Registration fee, if applicable, has been paid.
• If you are attending the conference in a private capacity, you must provide evidence of your finances. A detailed certified statement of your bank account covering a six month period immediately prior to your visa application is required. An explanation as to why you, and not your employer, is paying should also be included. Any lump sum payments must be explained in a separate signed personal statement.
• If applicable, copy of marriage certificate, birth certificates of children.
• If you have been refused a visa for any other country, details of this must be given. Submit a copy of the refusal letter issued to you by the authorities of that country. Concealment of visa refusals will result in your Irish visa application being refused.

Please follow the link for information on visas fees, payment methods, and where to apply: https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/china/visas/visafees/

Before you complete your visa application please thoroughly read the information contained on our General Information page.