Visas for Ireland
Fees
Thank you for your interest in a visa for Ireland. You will find the information you need on this page. Please read carefully to avoid delays to your application. In the case of further questions, please use the Contact tab above. Our current processing times are 4 to 6 weeks.
Vielen Dank für Ihr Interesse an einem Visum für Irland. Auf dieser Seite finden Sie die erforderlichen Informationen. Bitte lesen Sie sorgfältig, um Verzögerungen bei Ihrem Antrag zu vermeiden. Unsere derzeitigen Bearbeitungszeiten betragen 4 bis 6 Wochen. Falls Sie weitere Fragen haben, benutzen Sie bitte das Kontakt- Formular oben.
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 on IrishImmigration.ie
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 on the Coming to Visit section of IrishImmigration.ie.
- Information on coming to work in Ireland is available on the Coming to Work section of IrishImmigration.ie.
- Information on coming to study in Ireland is available on the Coming to Study section of IrishImmigration.ie.
- Information on coming to join family in Ireland is available on the Coming to Join Family section of IrishImmigration.ie.
Supporting documentation
We have also compiled a supporting Document Overview for information for applicants applying through the Embassy in Berlin.
You can use this model application letter as the basis for your application letter, adding the relevant details for your own application.
You can also use the more specific information notes in German and English when completing your application:
Tourist visa: Guidance notes EN / DE
Business visa: Guidance notes EN / DE
Conference or event visa: Guidance notes EN / DE
EU Spouse visa: Guidance notes EN / DE
Study visa: Guidance notes EN
Erasmus+ visa: Guidance notes EN
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.
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.
If you applied at an Embassy or Consulate, they will contact you once a decision on the visa application has been made.
Changes to accommodation for people fleeing war in Ukraine
There has been changes to supports for new arrivals from Ukraine. Please see gov.ie for more information.
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.
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 on IrishImmigration.ie.
Information on entry for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals is available on IrishImmigration.ie.
Information on travelling with children is available on IrishImmigration.ie.
Information on transiting through Ireland is available on IrishImmigration.ie.
Fees
Check the website of the Irish Immigration Service for information on preclearance and entry visa fees, including information on visa fee exemptions.
See the below Payment details section for further information on fees and payments.
Payment details
We accept the following forms of payment:
Visa applicants may pay by card in the Embassy or by electronic bank transfer.
If paying by bank transfer, transfer the fee to the embassy bank account (details below) and include a printed confirmation of your fee transfer with your completed application.
Account Name: Botschaft von Irland
Bank Commerzbank Berlin
IBAN DE65 1004 0000 0266 2328 00
BIC COBADEFFXXX
Applicants that wish to have their documents returned by post must pay a postage fee of €18. Please include with your application proof of bank transfer or cheque payable to ‘Embassy of Ireland’.
Please indicate clearly in your application if you intend to collect your visa from the Embassy in person - in this case, it is not necessary to pay this postage fee.
The Embassy does not accept cash payments under any circumstances and will not be responsible for cash sent in the post.