Latest Updates
Latest updates
- NOTICE FOR STUDENT VISA APPLICANTS: The Visa Office, New Delhi is currently working through a large volume of Student Visa applications. The advised processing time for all study visas is 6 weeks from date of receipt, 7 weeks for those students applying under the Approval in Principle Scheme. Students, education agents and the education institutes are aware of these processing times. All applications are dealt with in chronological order. Due to the volumes on hand the Visa Office will not be able to expedite any applications. Applicants are advised to only contact the Visa Office if their processing time has exceeded the advised processing timeframe.
Thank you for your understanding.
- Due to the volume of applications on hand the Visa Office has had to increase the processing time for Join Spouse/Parent visas whose spouse/parents have Critical skills or Work Permit from 4 weeks to 6 weeks from date of receipt. Updated August 2017.
- July, August and September are our peak months, we strongly advise visa applicants to submit their application well in advance of the recommended processing time. Whilst this office will try to minimise delays, it cannot be guaranteed that all applications will be processed on time as requested.
- Due to peak Summer seasonal travel demand and office resource constraints in dealing with same, the processing of Category D Residency Join Family/Parent/Spouse Visas (except for holders of Critical Skills Employment Permits, Intra –Company Transfers Employment Permits and members of the Business Express Programme where automatic entitlement exists for these categories) is suspended for the months of July, August and September. The processing of these category D Residency Join Family/Parent/Spouse applications will recommence in October 2017. Applications lodged up to and including July 2016 have been processed or are under process currently. This Office apologises for any inconvenience this delay may cause.
- Please note, the Irish Visa Office in New Delhi has experienced a very large recent increase in European Union Treaty Rights (EUTR - EU Directive 2004/38/EC) visa applications. This increase has put a huge strain on our capability, and long delays in processing such visas should be expected for the foreseeable future, given the volumes received and the resources available. Applications are being dealt with strictly from date of receipt, and this office will not be in a position to process new applications of this type for a considerable period. This office is currently unable to give applicants or their representatives an accurate indication as to how long their applications might take to process.
Do I need a visa?
Do I need a visa?
Find out if you are a national of a visa required country and if one of the exceptions applies to you on these pages.
Even if you are a national of a visa required country you may not require an Irish visa if:
- you hold a residence card of a family member of a European Union Citizen, or
- the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) or Irish Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme applies to you, or
- you hold a Convention Travel Document and wish to come to Ireland for a short stay.
Residence card of a family member of a European Union citizen
Holders of a document called "Residence card of a family member of a European Union citizen" Family members of an EU citizen who are holders of a document called "Residence card of a family member of a Union citizen" as referred to in Articles 5 (2) and 10 (1) of Directive 2004/38/EC are not subject to an Irish visa requirement.
Please be advised that the Visa Offices /Irish Missions are not in a position to provide guidance or advice as to whether a particular card or document held is sufficient to exempt the person concerned from the visa requirement.
It is however, open to the person concerned to contact the appropriate issuing authority of the relevant Member State for guidance or advice as to whether the card or document comes within the definition of the Directive, as implemented by that particular Member State.
How to apply for a visa?
How to apply for a visa?
The Irish Visa Office at the Embassy of Ireland, New Delhi processes visa applications from any person resident in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
All applications for an Irish Visa must be made by completing an Online Visa Application Form, which can be accessed by clicking on INIS. It will direct you to a secure site from which you can complete an online application.
The summary application sheet generated by the online application system will direct you to the VFS website where you can pay your visa fee unless you are exempt (payment of the visa fee through the VFS website is only applicable to applicants applying in India).
The summary application sheet will also tell you whether you are required to attend a Visa Application Centre for the purpose of providing your Biometric information and /or submitting your documents. (Biometrics is only applicable to applicants applying in India). Find out more about Biometrics.
Information on the submission of a visa application and payment of a visa fee for visa required applicants resident in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives can be viewed below.
Find out more about Biometrics
Applicants from India:
Applications from residents of India must be submitted through a VFS Application Centre in India.
Applicants from Nepal:
Applications from residents of Nepal must be submitted through the VFS Application Centre in Kathmandu.
Applicants from Bangladesh
Applications from residents of Bangladesh must be submitted through the VFS Application Centre in Kolkata or directly by post to the Visa Office. Note visa applicants resident in Bangladesh are not required to give Biometrics.
Applicants from Sri Lanka
Applications from residents of Sri Lanka must be submitted through the Irish Honorary Consulate in Colombo. Note visa applicants resident in Sri Lanka are not required to give biometrics.
Contact the Irish Honorary Consulate in Sri Lanka
Applicants from the Maldives
Applications from residents of Maldives must submit by post to the Visa Office. Note visa applicants resident in the Maldives are not required to give biometrics.
VFS Visa application centres
Visa Application Centres (VACs)
VFS Centres India & Nepal
Supporting documents for Irish visa required nationals resident in India or Nepal can be lodged at VFS VACs throughout India and Nepal. Note VFS do not operate VACs on behalf of the Irish Visa Office in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives.
Click on Contact VFS for the locations of these VFS Centres.
VFS manages a phone and email helpline to support the Irish Visa Office. For further information click on Contact VFS.