Covid-19: Visa Services Update

The Embassy of Ireland in Washington DC accepts visa applications from Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Islands - Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Martinique, Montserrat, Netherlands, Antilles, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands (US), Virgin Islands (British).

Update on Visa Services - 5 January 2022

We are accepting short and long stay visa application, and preclearance applications.

Full instructions for applying for a visa below; an appointment is not part of our visa application process. Please check that your country is on the list of visa required nationalities (gold) before applying. If it is the green list, then you do not require a visa.

To apply for a visa, you must:

Apply online through the Department of Justice, which will automatically request you to submit your documentation to the nearest Embassy.
Compile your application package, 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 are unavailable). We require your original passport to confirm that we have seen the original before submitting the application through a security clearance.
All required supporting documents that are listed in the online application.

3. Submit the completed application package and payment to the Embassy (address below), addressed to Visa Officer.

Please submit the visa fee and postage fee together as a total sum in one form of payment (see below), payable by money order, cashier's cheque or bank draft, and made out to "Department of Foreign Affairs - Ireland." We are not able to accept cash or wire transfers.

Visa Fees

Single-entry visa: $81

Multi-entry visa: $136

Transit visa: $36

Shipping (FedEx Overnight)

Domestic: $10

International: $20

*In-person pickup at the Embassy is not available at this time.

Payment is accepted by cashier's check, money order, or bank draft payable to: Department of Foreign Affairs - Ireland. Debit cards, credit cards, personal checks, and cash are not accepted.

**Please note that we can only process fully complete applications. The onus is on the applicant to ensure their application is complete with original copies. Any missing documentation may result in longer processing times and potential refusal.**

To ensure that resources can be used to the best effect, we ask applicants to submit their documentation through registered post so that they can track the delivery themselves. Alternatively, if you live nearby, you can drop off your application package in the secure drop box at the front doors of the Embassy. We do not have the manpower to confirm receipt to all applicants. We will only contact you if there is missing documentation from your application and/or when the visa is issued or application is declined.

Normal processing time is about 4 - 6 weeks. We do not offer an expedited service.

Who needs a Visa

Whether you need a visa to travel to Ireland depends on what country you're from. Visit the Irish Immigration Service Travel Path for more information regarding your personal requirements for travelling to Ireland.

Information on visa requirements for transiting through Ireland is available here

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 or the British Irish Visa Scheme a valid UK visa does not entitle you to travel to Ireland without a visa. Further information on these schemes is available on the website of the Irish Immigration Service.

Note: A visa allows you to travel to Ireland only. It does not give you permission to enter the country or to stay here. An immigration officer at border control can refuse entry even if you have a visa.

Remember…

If you're a citizen of a non-EEA country, whether you need a visa or not, you will be subject to immigration control when you enter Ireland.

Types of Visa and Documentation

Full information on the different types of visas, required documentation, and how to apply can be found on the website of the Irish Immigration Service.

Information on applying for a short-stay (less than 90 days) tourist visa is available here.

Information on coming to work in Ireland is available here.

Information on coming to study in Ireland is available here.

Information on coming to join family in Ireland is available here.

Visa Appeals

If your visa application is refused, you will receive a letter from the visa office telling you why it has been refused and if you can appeal the decision.

Further information on appealing visa decisions is available on the website of the Irish Immigration Service

All appeals are handled directly by the Irish Immigration Service

How to Apply

You need to:

Complete the online application form

This will generate an application summary form and declaration at the end, which you must print, sign and date.

Gather your supporting documentation, passport photograph and fee.
Submit your application

To complete the process, you must submit your passport and supporting documents for processing. Where you submit your application depends on where you are living. The summary application form will direct you to the relevant Embassy, Consulate or Visa Application Centre.

Check the website of the relevant Embassy or Consulate for further information on how to submit your application for processing

If you applied at an Embassy or Consulate, they will contact you once a decision on the visa application has been made.

If you applied directly to an Irish Immigration Service Visa Office or if your application was referred to the Irish Immigration Service for a decision, you can check the Irish Immigration Service Visa Decision Weekly Listing using your reference number.

On Arrival in Ireland

Further information on what to expect on arrival in Ireland can be found on the website of the Irish Immigration Service.

Information on entry for EU/EEA and Swiss nationals is available here.

Information on entry for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals is available here.

Information on travelling with children is available here.

Information on transiting through Ireland is available here.

Fees

Check the website of the Irish Immigration Servicefor information on preclearance and entry visa fees, including information on visa fee exemptions.

You can also contact your local Embassy or Consulate for more details on fees and payment methods

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