COVID-19 Travel Advice
News
23 February 2021
LAST UPDATED: 23 February 2021 at 12:00pm CT
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) during COVID-19
Question: I am a U.S. citizen in the U.S., can I travel to Ireland?
We strongly advise against all non-essential international travel.
The Government of Ireland has introduced stricter measures, including more control and enforcement and higher penalties, regarding non-essential international travel which is in breach of Ireland's Level 5 restrictions under the National Framework on Living with COVID-19. Persons travelling to and from airports may be asked to provide proof of essential travel.
The U.S. government also advises against most non-essential international travel currently, including to Ireland.
If you must travel to Ireland, please note:
· You will need to fill out a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form online before you travel.
o To complete the COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form online, please click here.
o Paper versions of the form are also available at points of entry into Ireland, if required.
· You will need to obtain a negative result from a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 test (i.e. COVID-19 not detected) before you travel.
o Passengers from all countries will be required to show evidence of a negative result from a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 test (COVID-19 not detected) taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland.
o Passengers may be asked to present evidence of their negative/’not detected’ result before boarding their airplane or ferry, and will be required to produce this evidence to Immigration Officers on arrival in Ireland.
o Passengers who arrive in an Irish Airport or Sea Port without evidence of a negative/‘not detected’ test result commit an offence and may be subject to prosecution, punishable by a fine not exceeding €2,500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.
o The PCR COVID-19 test is currently the only test type considered acceptable by public health authorities in Ireland in relation to international travel.
o Exemptions are limited to international transport workers, including hauliers, pilots and aviation crew, masters and maritime crew, and members of An Garda Síochána in the course of their duties. Children under six will also be exempt. For more information, please click here.
o If a citizen has a genuine humanitarian emergency requiring urgent travel, please contact us immediately by phone (+1.512.792.5500) for advice and consular assistance before commencing their journey.
· You will be required to quarantine upon arrival in Ireland.
o A legal requirement to quarantine has been introduced for all travellers.
o This applies to all travellers entering the State, including Irish citizens coming home and people with no symptoms.
o This means that you may only leave your place of residence during the quarantine period for unavoidable reasons of an emergency nature to protect a person’s health or welfare, or to leave the State.
o You may leave to take a RT-PCR test no less than 5 days after your arrival – if you receive written confirmation that the result of this test is negative/ ‘not detected’ your period of quarantine can end (unless you have travelled from a high risk ‘category 2’ country, in which case you must complete the full 14 days of quarantine, regardless of whether you have a negative test result). Please note, the United States is not currently listed as a high risk ‘category 2’ country.The PCR COVID-19 test is currently the only test type considered acceptable by public health authorities in Ireland in relation to international travel.
o Testing provision under Ireland’s framework for international travel will not be provided through the public health system, but will be met by the private commercial sector testing supply and paid for by passengers.
o More information can be found on the Government of Ireland’s website – click here.
Please note: At this time, all of these requirements also apply to individuals who are vaccinated.
We recommend that U.S. citizens also contact the U.S. State Department and/or the U.S. Embassy in Dublin for travel advice for Ireland.
You will need to check any re-entry requirements for the United States. Effective 26 January 2021, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. For more information, please visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in Dublin.
Please also check the website of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the website of your U.S. state health department for the most up-to-date requirements.
Information about companies providing pre-departure PCR tests for the purpose of international travel can be found on the Dublin Airport website and the Cork Airport website.
If you have further questions on travel to the U.S., you are advised to visit the website of the U.S. Embassy.
Question: I am a U.S. citizen and/or U.S. legal permanent resident currently in Ireland, can I travel to the U.S.?
U.S. and non-U.S. nationals with legal permanent residence in the U.S. (i.e. Green Card holders) and their immediate family, as well as the immediate family (spouse and children) of U.S. nationals, are not restricted from entering the U.S.
You will need to check any re-entry requirements for the United States. Effective 26 January 2021, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. For more information, please visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in Dublin.
Please also check the website of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the website of your U.S. state health department for the most up-to-date requirements.
Information about companies providing pre-departure PCR tests for the purpose of international travel can be found on the Dublin Airport website and the Cork Airport website.
If you have further questions on travel to the U.S., you are advised to visit the website of the U.S. Embassy.
Question: I am an Irish citizen in the U.S., can I travel to Ireland?
We strongly advise against all non-essential international travel.
The Government of Ireland has introduced stricter measures, including more control and enforcement and higher penalties, regarding non-essential international travel which is in breach of Ireland's Level 5 restrictions under the National Framework on Living with COVID-19. Persons travelling to and from airports may be asked to provide proof of essential travel.
If you must travel to Ireland, please note:
· You will need to fill out a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form online before you travel.
o To complete the COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form online, please click here.
o Paper versions of the form are also available at points of entry into Ireland, if required.
· You will need to obtain a negative result from a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 test (i.e. COVID-19 not detected) before you travel.
o Passengers from all countries will be required to show evidence of a negative result from a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 test (COVID-19 not detected) taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland.
o Passengers may be asked to present evidence of their negative/’not detected’ result before boarding their airplane or ferry, and will be required to produce this evidence to Immigration Officers on arrival in Ireland.
o Passengers who arrive in an Irish Airport or Sea Port without evidence of a negative/‘not detected’ test result commit an offence and may be subject to prosecution, punishable by a fine not exceeding €2,500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.
o The PCR COVID-19 test is currently the only test type considered acceptable by public health authorities in Ireland in relation to international travel.
o Exemptions are limited to international transport workers, including hauliers, pilots and aviation crew, masters and maritime crew, and members of An Garda Síochána in the course of their duties. Children under six will also be exempt. For more information, please click here.
o If a citizen has a genuine humanitarian emergency requiring urgent travel, please contact us immediately by phone (+1.512.792.5500) for advice and consular assistance before commencing their journey.
· You will be required to quarantine upon arrival in Ireland.
o A legal requirement to quarantine has been introduced for all travellers.
o This applies to all travellers entering the State, including Irish citizens coming home and people with no symptoms.
o This means that you may only leave your place of residence during the quarantine period for unavoidable reasons of an emergency nature to protect a person’s health or welfare, or to leave the State.
o You may leave to take a RT-PCR test no less than 5 days after your arrival – if you receive written confirmation that the result of this test is negative/ ‘not detected’ your period of quarantine can end (unless you have travelled from a high risk ‘category 2’ country, in which case you must complete the full 14 days of quarantine, regardless of whether you have a negative test result). Please note, the United States is not currently listed as a high risk ‘category 2’ country.The PCR COVID-19 test is currently the only test type considered acceptable by public health authorities in Ireland in relation to international travel.
o Testing provision under Ireland’s framework for international travel will not be provided through the public health system, but will be met by the private commercial sector testing supply and paid for by passengers.
o More information can be found on the Government of Ireland’s website – click here.
Please note: At this time, all of these requirements also apply to individuals who are vaccinated.
PLEASE NOTE: Your ability to re-enter the U.S. after your travel to Ireland will depend on your immigration status in the U.S. Non-U.S. nationals, including Irish nationals, who have visited or resided in Ireland or the UK for any period in the 14 days prior to their travel to the U.S. will be denied entry, unless they are eligible for an exemption under Section 2 of the U.S. President's Proclamation - see here.
In July 2020, the U.S. Government announced further exceptions to this travel restriction which may be considered in the U.S. national interest. This includes certain business travellers, investors, treaty traders, academics and students. For more please visit the website of the U.S. Department of State. This announcement also clarified that exceptions would include students who currently hold valid F1 or M1 visas.
You will need to check any re-entry requirements for the United States. Effective 26 January 2021, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. For more information, please visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in Dublin.
Please also check the website of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the website of your U.S. state health department for the most up-to-date requirements.
Information about companies providing pre-departure PCR tests for the purpose of international travel can be found on the Dublin Airport website and the Cork Airport website.
If you have further questions on your ability to re-enter the U.S., you are advised to visit the website of the U.S. Embassy.
Question: I am an Irish citizen in Ireland, can I travel to the United States?
We strongly advise against all non-essential international travel.
The Government of Ireland has introduced stricter measures, including more control and enforcement and higher penalties, regarding non-essential international travel which is in breach of Ireland's Level 5 restrictions under the National Framework on Living with COVID-19. Persons travelling to and from airports may be asked to provide proof of essential travel.
In addition, the U.S. has implemented special entry restrictions for their territory. As detailed in the U.S. President's Proclamation in March, entry into the U.S. has been restricted for those travelling from Ireland, the United Kingdom and the Schengen Area countries in Europe. Non-U.S. nationals, including Irish nationals, who have visited or resided in Ireland or the UK for any period in the 14 days prior to their travel to the U.S. will be denied entry, unless they are eligible for an exemption under Section 2 of the U.S. President's Proclamation - see here.
Furthermore, an additional U.S. Presidential Proclamation issued in June has suspended the issuance of certain nonimmigrant work visas (H1-B, H-2B, J-1 and L-1A and L-1B) to individuals who are outside the U.S. on 24 June and do not currently possess a valid nonimmigrant visa. This proclamation is set to remain in place on 31 December, 2020 and may be continued.
In July 2020, the U.S. Government announced further exceptions to this travel restriction which may be considered in the U.S. national interest. This includes certain business travellers, investors, treaty traders, academics and students. For more please visit the website of the U.S. Department of State. This announcement also clarified that exceptions would include students who currently hold valid F1 or M1 visas.
If you are eligible for an exemption to these travel restrictions, you will also need to check any entry requirements for the United States. Effective 26 January 2021, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. For more information, please visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in Dublin.
Please also check the website of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the website of the U.S. state health department of your destination for any relevant local requirements.
Information about companies providing pre-departure PCR tests for the purpose of international travel can be found on the Dublin Airport website and the Cork Airport website.
If you have further questions on travel to the U.S., you are advised to visit the website of the U.S. Embassy.
Question: What COVID-19 public health restrictions are currently in place in Ireland?
Ireland is currently in Level 5 restrictions under Ireland’s National Framework on Living with COVID-19.
For more information about these restrictions, please click here.
Question: Can I renew my Irish passport at the current time?
The Passport Service has paused the processing of applications as Ireland is currently in Level 5 restrictions under Ireland’s National Framework on Living with COVID-19.
Irish citizens seeking to renew existing passports can continue to submit an application through the Irish Passport Online service but the processing of applications will not resume until Ireland exits Level 5 restrictions. For more information, please click here.
If are currently located in our consular region and you need an Irish travel document for urgent travel due to a genuine emergency, please call +1.512.792.5500.
Question: Can I apply for my first Irish passport at the current time?
The Consulate General of Ireland in Austin can provide passport application forms for first time applicants upon request. Please use the contact us function on our website to request a passport application form.
If you are a resident in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas or Missouri your passport application will be processed by the Consulate General of Ireland in Chicago. Due to COVID-19, their office is not currently accepting passport applications. We recommend that you visit the website of the Consulate General of Ireland in Chicago before you send your completed application and supporting documents by mail.
If you are resident in Colorado or New Mexico your passport application will be processed by the Consulate General in San Francisco. Due to COVID-19, we recommend that you visit the website of the Consulate General of Ireland in San Francisco before you send your completed application and supporting documents by mail.
Question: I am in the process of applying for Irish citizenship through the Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) process, can I still submit my application at the current time?
The processing of Foreign Birth Registrations or FBRs (through which Irish citizenship can be claimed by persons with a grandparent born on the island of Ireland) is paused due to level 5 restrictions under Ireland’s National Framework on Living with COVID-19.
Please do not send supporting documentation as these cannot be processed at this time.
Please visit the Foreign Birth Registration page of the Department of Foreign Affairs website for the latest updates on this service.
When processing resumes, it is estimated that it will take between 12 to 18 months to process a completed FBR application.
Question: Do I require a visa to travel to Ireland and how can I obtain a visa?
The Government of Ireland continues to recommend against any non-essential travel to Ireland at present. The U.S. government also advises against most non-essential international travel currently, including to Ireland.
You do not need an entry visa for Ireland if you are a passport holder of the United States.
If you are a national of another country that is visa required for Ireland (please note that South Africa and all countries in South America are now visa required), please note the Department of Justice and Equality has temporarily ceased accepting new visa/ preclearance applications globally with the exception of those in the Emergency/Priority list effective 29 January.
While it will still be possible to apply for an Irish visa/preclearance online in the normal manner, these temporary measures mean that applicants will not be able to complete their application process and we apologise for any inconvenience this might cause. Please note that any application made online will remain valid until such time as restrictions are lifted.
We intend to resume accepting applications as soon as safety concerns abate.
Certain priority/emergency cases will continue to be processed. For further information please see the website of Immigration Service Delivery.
Our Embassies and Consulates can now only issue visas for certain types of priority/emergency cases. More information can be found here.
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/visas-updates
For priority/emergency visa applications, please contact us directly so that we can guide you through the application process and advise you how to submit your documentation.
Question: Is the Consulate General of Ireland in Austin open?
The Consulate General of Ireland in Austin is currently operating its public office on an appointment-only basis for Irish citizens seeking emergency consular assistance.
Question: How do I contact the Consulate General of Ireland in Austin?
For general queries, the main phone line (+1.512.792.5500) is open Monday to Friday from 9:30am-12:30pm. Please leave a detailed voice message with your name, your phone number, and the nature of your enquiry. A staff member will then return your call as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can use the Contact Us section of this website.
For emergencies (i.e. a genuine emergency involving an Irish citizen who is seeking consular assistance), please note that you can leave an emergency message on the phone system at any time by contacting the Consulate at +1-512-792-5500. Please leave a detailed voice message with your name, your phone number, and the nature of your enquiry. The on-call duty officer will then return your call as soon as possible.
