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Embassy of Ireland, Estonia

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Embassy of Ireland, Estonia

Visa Information

COVID-19 Update

As part of a wide range of travel measures announced on 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 27 January. Nationals of these countries will be required 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 recently.

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). 

Information Note

An information note has been prepared to assist applicants completing the online application form. This is available in:

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