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Embassy of Ireland, China

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Please be advised that the Embassy of Ireland, China website has moved and this page is no longer being updated. The Embassy website is now available at Ireland.ie/beijing.

Embassy of Ireland, China

Special requirements for applicants under 18 years of age

Short-stay visas (up to 90 days):

  • Original Birth Certificate/Adoption Order must be submitted in all cases.
  • Chinese Birth Certificate: Notarised copy of the child's birth certificate, legalised by MFA (single legalisation required). If applicable, a notarised Chinese Adoption Order, legalised by MFA. Birth Certificates/Adoptions Orders from other third countries must be notarised in accordance with the legal procedures of that country.
  • Irish Birth Certificate: Only the original Irish Birth Certificate and an ordinary photocopy is required. It does not need to be notarised or legalised.
  • A full copy of Hukou booklet, confirming relationship to parent (with English translation). This copy does not need to be notarised. 
  • If travelling with only one parent, a notary certificate of permission to travel from the other parent or legal guardian, legalised by the MFA, not older than 6 months. The permission must state clearly where (accommodation address), and with whom, the child will be staying in Ireland. 
  • If the applicant is travelling alone or without both parents/guardians, a notary certificate of permission to travel from the parents or legal guardians, legalised by MFA, not older than 6 months. The permission must state clearly where (accommodation address), and with whom, the child will be staying in Ireland.
  • If the child will be accompanied by another adult (e.g. a grandparent, group leader, family friend), the notary certificate of parental permission to travel, legalised by the MFA, must clearly state the name of the adult, with whom the child is permitted to travel to Ireland. An ordinary photocopy of the authorised accompanying adult’s passport biographic and signature page must also be submitted with the child’s visa application. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AS THE ACCOMPANYING ADULT’S PASSPORT NUMBER MUST BE RECORED ON THE CHILD’S VISA STICKER. The permission must state clearly where (accommodation address), and with whom, the child will be staying in Ireland. 
  • In cases where the parents are divorced, a notarised copy of the divorce decision, legalised by the MFA, stating to whom of the parents full guardianship was entrusted.
  • In cases where one parent/guardian is deceased, notarised certificate of death. Legalised by the MFA.
  • Original school letter confirming absence for holiday purposes. Letter must include the contact details of the school and the school’s stamp.
  • A copy of both parents’/guardians’ passport biographic and signature page must be provided, even in cases where parents/guardians are not travelling with the child to Ireland. 
  • Evidence of income and funds held by parent(s)/guardian(s). If the parent/guardian is employed, a headed letter from his/her employer (with address, telephone and email address of the employer, stamp and signature with name and position of the person who signed) stating the parent’s/guardian’s working position and monthly salary (with translation in English). If the parent is self-employed, a copy of his/her business license with company stamp. Parents’/guardians’ original bank statements for previous 6 months must also be submitted.

Where the child is residing with a host family other than relatives, clearance from the Garda Síochána (the Irish Police) in respect of that family is required. Documentary proof of this must be submitted as part of the visa application.

Long-stay visas (more than 90 days):

  • Original birth certificate/Adoption Order must be submitted in all cases.
  • Chinese Birth Certificate: Notarised copy of the child's birth certificate, legalised by MFA and the Irish Embassy (double legalisation required). If applicable, a notarised Chinese adoption order, legalised by MFA and the Irish Embassy. Birth certificates/adoptions orders from other third countries must be notarised in accordance with the legal procedures of that country.
  • Irish Birth Certificate: Only the original Irish birth certificate and an original photocopy is required. Irish Birth Certificates do not need to be notarised or legalised by MFA or the Irish Embassy. 
  • Notarised letter of permission for the child to relocate to Ireland, signed by both parents or legal guardians, legalised by MFA and the Irish Embassy if the parents/legal guardians are residing China, and when not residing in China, attested by the relevant authorities in the country of residence. If the parents are residing in Ireland, the letter of permission to relocate must be notarised by a practicing solicitor in Ireland. The letter of permission must not be older than 6 months. The letter of permission must declare that the child can leave China for more than 90 days. It must clearly state with whom the child will be travelling to Ireland and with whom the child will reside in Ireland for more than 90 days.
  • If the child is travelling to Ireland in the company of a person, who is not the child's parent/guardian (for example, with a grandparent), a copy of the accompanying adult's passport bio-data page and signature page must be submitted. The parental permission to relocate must clearly state the name of the adult, with whom the child is permitted to travel to Ireland. 
  • In cases where the parents are divorced, a notarised copy of the divorce decision, legalised by the MFA and the Irish Embassy (if the divorce was obtained in China), stating to whom of the parents full guardianship was entrusted. If the divorce was obtained in Ireland or elsewhere, a notarised copy of the divorce decision by a practicing solicitor will be sufficient.
  • In cases where one parent/guardian is deceased, notarised certificate of death of spouse/guardian, legalised by the MFA and the Irish Embassy, if the death occurred in China. If the death occurred in Ireland or elsewhere, the certificate of death should be notarised in accordance with the applicable legal procedures of that country.
  • A copy of both parents'/guardians' passport bio-data page and signature page must be provided.
  • Evidence of income and funds held by parent(s)/guardian(s). If the parent/guardian is employed, a headed letter from his/her employer (with address, telephone and email address of the employer, stamp and signature with name and position of the person who signed) stating the parent's/guardian's working position and monthly salary (with translation in English). If the parent is self-employed, a copy of his/her business license with company stamp. Parents'/guardians' original bank statements for previous 6 months must also be submitted.
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