Ireland Tourist Visa for Indians: Requirements, Documents & Application Guide

Ireland welcomes short‑term visitors for tourism, family visits and brief business trips under the Short‑stay ‘C’ route (up to 90 days). Indian passport‑holders must get a visa in advance, Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area and does not offer visa‑on‑arrival for Indians. Applications start online via AVATS, followed by document submission and biometrics at VFS Global centres in India. Visa fees are set in euro, but are collected in INR in India, with an additional VFS service charge.

Note that Ireland’s online form (AVATS) is not an e‑Visa. You still must submit a signed summary sheet and originals to the designated office/VFS after completing the form.

Ireland offers several visa categories; for leisure travellers from India the relevant options are below.

Short‑stay ‘C’ Visa (Tourist / Visit / Business)

A Short‑stay ‘C’ visa allows trips of up to 90 days for tourism, visiting family/friends, attending conferences, or short business visits. It does not permit employment. Single‑entry and multiple‑entry options exist.

Long‑stay ‘D’ Visas and Residence

Long‑stay ‘D’ visas are for stays over 90 days (for example, study or employment). These are different from an Ireland tourist visa and have separate documentary rules and post‑arrival registration requirements.

Visa‑free / Waiver Schemes 

Ireland runs limited schemes with the UK, the British‑Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) and the Short‑Stay Visa Waiver Programme (SSVWP). Some Indian visitors with eligible UK visas may travel onward to Ireland without a separate Irish visa, but strict conditions apply (for example, you must first enter the country that issued the visa, and the UK visa must carry the right endorsement). Always check the latest eligibility rules.

Transit through Ireland

Most nationalities not on Ireland’s transit‑visa list can transit airside in Dublin without an Irish transit visa; if your routing requires clearing border control, an entry visa may be needed. India is not on the transit‑visa‑required list as of the latest update. Ensure to verify your exact routing before you book.

Your Ireland tourist visa requirements focus on genuine travel intent, sufficient funds, and correct documentation. Typical expectations include:

• A valid passport (with adequate validity and blank pages).

• A clear purpose of travel (tourism, visiting family/friends, short business), with an itinerary matching your stay.

• Proof of funds to cover accommodation, daily expenses, and return travel.

• Evidence of accommodation (hotel bookings or host details) and return/onward ticket plans.

• Original supporting documents (and certified translations where applicable).

• Travel insurance is generally expected before travel if your visa is approved.
   

Note: Ireland may request biometric fingerprints for residents applying in India, plan for an in‑person VFS appointment.

This steps below highlight how Indian travellers can typically apply for an Ireland visit visa (Short‑stay ‘C’):

1) Check if you need a visa

Confirm your need and route using Ireland’s official guidance (Ireland is outside Schengen; Schengen/UK visas are not valid for Ireland unless you qualify under BIVS/SSVWP).

2) Gather your documents

Collect passport, photographs, financial statements, employment proof, accommodation proof, and a covering letter detailing your trip. Originals are generally required (with translations where needed).

3) Complete the online form on AVATS

Start your Ireland visa application on the official AVATS portal, answer all questions in English, print and sign the application summary sheet, and note your reference/transaction number.

4) Book your VFS appointment

In India, most applicants submit documents and biometric data via VFS Global. Book an appointment after you complete AVATS; carry your signed summary sheet and supporting documents.

5) Pay fees (Visa fee + VFS service charge)

Short‑stay visa fees are set by Irish Immigration; in India, VFS collects visa fees in INR plus a VFS service charge.

6) Submit the application

Submit your passport and originals at VFS (they scan and return originals as appropriate). Follow any extra checklist instructions issued by the Embassy of Ireland, New Delhi.

7) Wait for processing and decision

Processing times vary by office and season. Embassy New Delhi’s usual guidance for visit/tourist files is about 4–6 weeks (working days) once the Embassy receives your documents, subject to biometrics clearance and volume. The Dublin Visa Office publishes weekly decision queues by category, which can be longer. Remember to apply well in advance.

8) Travel with your supporting documents

A visa permits travel to Ireland but does not guarantee entry; keep copies of your submitted documents to present to border officers if requested.

Document lists can change, so always consult the official pages before you apply. Common inclusions for a Short‑stay ‘C’ (tourist/visit) are:

• Passport and two photos meeting Ireland’s photo standards.

• Signed AVATS summary sheet and your covering letter (purpose, dates, accommodation, funding).

• Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings / host invitation with ID) and proof of return/onward travel.

• Financial evidence (recent bank statements and, if employed, payslips or employer letter).

• Originals only; attach certified translations for non‑English documents as required by the Embassy in India.

• Travel insurance before travel if your visa is approved.

• Additional items for young travellers (if under 18): consent letters and ID documents of parents/guardians, as per guidance.

Planning for flights, stays, local travel and fees can make your Ireland tourist visa journey smoother. Consider these ways to manage cashflow:

Travel Loan

A short‑tenure personal loan earmarked for travel can help cover flights, hotels and local expenses, especially if you prefer to keep emergency savings intact. Compare interest rates, prepayment terms, and processing fees; aim for a tenure that keeps EMIs comfortable.

Credit Cards

Use a credit card with low forex markup to pay visa fees, flights and prepaid stays. Pay the full statement to avoid interest and consider cards that offer airport lounge access (useful during layovers) or travel insurance as a bundled benefit. Redeem miles/points to offset flight costs when possible.

Tip: Even with cards and loans, always keep a liquidity buffer for contingencies and currency swings.

Ireland rewards slow travel, with story‑soaked cities, coastal drives and lyrical landscapes. Have a look at where you can go in Ireland:

Dublin

A compact capital of Georgian squares, riverside walks and literary landmarks. Explore Trinity College and the Book of Kells, the Temple Bar area’s culture hubs, and coastal escapes like Howth.

Galway & Connemara

Buskers, cafes and colourful shopfronts in Galway City, paired with Connemara’s wide skies, bogland hues and scenic drives.

Cliffs of Moher & The Burren (County Clare)

Sheer Atlantic drama at the cliffs, balanced by the lunar limestone of The Burren and its rare flora.

Killarney National Park & Ring of Kerry

Lakes, mountains and manor gardens around Killarney; then the classic Iveragh Peninsula circuit for sea‑meets‑mountain panoramas.

Kilkenny

A medieval city with a castle, craft trail and lively food scene—great for a one‑or‑two‑night stop.

Dingle Peninsula (County Kerry)

Winding roads, archaeological sites and cinematic coastal views, slower and soulful.

Note: If you intend to visit Northern Ireland, remember it is part of the UK and follows separate entry rules.

Ireland’s official visa fees are set by the Department of Justice (Irish Immigration) and vary by entry type.

• A single‑entry Short‑stay ‘C’ visa typically costs about ₹5,300 (EUR 60)

• A multiple‑entry Short‑stay ‘C’ visa typically costs about ₹9,000 (EUR 100)

• A transit visa fee is about ₹2,250 (EUR 25)

In addition to these statutory fees, VFS Global applies a service charge of ₹3,518 per applicant in India, and its India‑specific fee list also shows the INR‑collected visa fees of ₹5,300 for single entry and ₹9,000 for multiple entry. These amounts are non‑refundable and may vary slightly depending on exchange‑rate updates and additional optional services.

Processing times depend on where your file is assessed. The Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi generally indicates an approximate timeline of 4–6 weeks for visit/tourist applications, counted in working days from the date the Embassy receives your documents; this excludes VFS transit time, courier intervals, public holidays, and biometrics‑related delays. Meanwhile, the Dublin Visa Office operates on a weekly queue‑based system, publishing updates by visa category, tourism/visit files can sometimes face longer queues, making early application advisable.

Disclaimer: Indian rupee figures are indicative, shown first for convenience; fees are charged in euro and converted locally.

An Ireland visit visa is achievable for Indian travellers who plan early, prepare accurate documentation, and follow the AVATS to VFS decision sequence carefully. Refer only to official portals for current rules, fees, and processing advisories to keep your Ireland visa application smooth and predictable.