Update on the UK Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme
Electronic Travel Authorisation cannot be used for onward travel to Ireland
Important changes to the operation of the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme (SSVWP):
The Short-Stay Visa Waiver Programme allows nationals of certain countries, who have entered the UK on foot of certain UK short stay visas, to travel to Ireland without the requirement to obtain an Irish visa. Recent changes to UK visa requirements mean that the passport holders of the following countries may no longer qualify for participation in the programme.
- Bahrain
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- the United Arab Emirates
These countries do not now require a visit visa for the UK but are subject to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. Persons in possession of a UK ETA do not satisfy the requirements of the SSVWP and cannot use the ETA to travel to Ireland. In certain circumstances, a passport holder from these countries may seek a short stay UK Visa, however, if this is issued in eVisa format it cannot currently be used for entry to Ireland under SSVWP.
Persons from the above countries in possession of a valid UK visa vignette in their passport/travel document can continue to avail of the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme subject to satisfying the Programme criteria. Details of the SSVWP can be found here: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-visit-ireland/short-stay-visa-waiver-programme/