Visa Information
Update 3rd July 2020.
Summary:
- Irish VACs open in Lagos, Abuja and Accra on Monday, 6th of July 2020.
- New appointment system in effect.
- Original documents must be submitted along with a colour copy of all application documents. If you don’t bring the colour copy, then there will be a facility to make a colour copy at the VAC for a nominal fee.
- Only long-stay visas ('D' categories) will be processed initially. Short-stay Visas ('C' categories) will not be processed due to ongoing restrictions in Ireland.
- Certain Priority/Emergency cases will continue to be processed as normal.
- Those travelling will be expected to serve a 14 day period of self-isolation upon arrival to Ireland.
The Irish Embassy is pleased to announce the reopening of the Visa Application Centres (VACs) in Lagos, Abuja and Accra. This is the first stage of a plan to resume full services in the coming months on a phased basis - subject to Irish Government Covid-19 measures and any local restrictions that may be in place.
The operation of these VACs will be carefully monitored by a range of stakeholders including VFS, Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) in Ireland and will be guided by public health advice set by the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) and World Health Organisation (WHO). An appointment system has been introduced to assist with capacity and social distancing requirements.
Initially, the VACs will only allow long-stay applications to be made ('D' categories – further info below). No tourism or short-stay visas ('C' categories) will be processed at this time due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in Ireland. Please be assured that we fully intend to resume our full visa service just as soon as public health concerns have been abated in line with Irish Government policy.
Applicants should be aware: By law, those travelling to Ireland will be required to fill out a form called the 'Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form'. This form (which should be completed before you travel) may be used by Irish health authorities to contact you to verify your location in Ireland. It will also help contact tracers to contact you if there is a confirmed case of coronavirus on your flight.
Applicants should also be aware that people can face a fine of up to €2,500 or six months in prison, or both, if:
1.) They do not complete this form;
2.) If they provide false or misleading information; or
3.) If they fail to provide an update of any information should they move to a different location within the 14-day self-isolation period.
Priority/Emergency Cases.
Certain Priority/Emergency Short Stay cases will continue to be processed:
- Emergency visa (e.g. Healthcare professionals, health researchers, and elderly care professionals);
- Immediate family members of Irish citizens*;
- Persons legally resident in the State;
- Persons entitled to avail of the provision of the EU Free Movement Directive;
- Transport personnel engaged in haulage of goods and other transport staff to the extent necessary;
- Diplomats, staff of international organisations, military personnel and humanitarian aid workers in the exercise of their functions.
(*Please note that where an applicant and Irish national have been living abroad, and Ireland is not their habitual residence, these cases will be processed in the normal manner. Exceptions will be made in cases where an Irish national is returning to provide medical/health services, or family members are being repatriated as part of a consular arrangement.)
If your application falls under one of these categories, please contact abujavisaoffice@dfa.ie so that we can guide you through the application process and advise you how to submit your documentation.
Further information…
For information on long-stay ('D'-category) visas, please visit: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Apply%20for%20a%20visa#long-stay
(Please note that as part of the response to COVID-19, the Registration Office in Burgh Quay and all local registration offices are currently closed and will be until further notice. You should check the INIS website for updates on when the offices will reopen and then make an appointment to register as normal.)
A 'Frequently Asked Questions' (FAQ) document about the impact of COVID-19 on Immigration and International Protection in Ireland has also been published and can be found here.
For appointments at VACs in Lagos and Abuja, please visit: https://vfsglobal-ie-ng.com/
For appointments at VAC in Accra, please visit: https://www.vfsglobal.com/Ireland/Ghana/
Countries that we process visa applications for: Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast
Embassy Visa Office Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 9 am to 4 pm. Friday 9 am to 12 pm.
Embassy Visa Office Phone Lines: Open 10 am - 12 pm. The number is +234 (0) 9 462 0612.
Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) Contact Details
Please note that current processing times for tourist visas are approximately 8 weeks. Processing times vary depending on type of visa and nature of application.
Current single entry visa fee: €60
Current multiple entry visa fee: €100
Current transit visa fee: €25
