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Consulate General of Ireland | Boston

Visa Information

The processing of short stay visa applications has resumed as of Monday, 13 September 2021.

All remaining Covid-19 restrictions on entry visa and preclearance processing, which were brought in as a necessary interim measure to help reduce the spread of Covid-19, have now been lifted.

The Consulate is only accepting visa and preclearance applications by mail until further notice. It is not possible to submit visa and preclearance applications in person at the Consulate or to pick up original documentation. Applicants will need to mail their visa and preclearance application, supporting documentation, and fees in one package to the Consulate. Please see below for information on visa, preclearance, and return shipping fees:

Visa fees

  • Single entry visa fee: $81 USD
  • Multiple entry visa fee: $136 USD
  • Transit visa fee: $34 USD

If you wish to apply for a multiple entry visa, you must indicate this on your application and pay the visa fee for a multiple entry visa. The granting of a multiple entry visa is at the discretion of the Visa Officer. If you apply for a multiple entry visa but are granted a single entry visa the difference in the visa fee will not be refunded to you under any circumstances.

Preclearance fee: $81 USD

Return shipping fee (FedEx standard overnight): $15 USD

In addition to the visa or preclearance fee, as applicable, there is an additional $15 return shipping fee for the return of the original documents.

All visa, preclearance, and return shipping fees must be submitted in the form of a money order, cashier's check, or bank draft made payable to the Consulate General of Ireland. Other forms of payment are not accepted. Please note that the visa/preclearance fee is an administration fee which covers the cost of processing your application. This fee cannot be refunded if your application is refused or withdrawn. Some applicants are exempt from the requirement to pay the visa fee. Please refer to drop down Fee section that can be found below this notice for more information on visa fee exemptions.

All visa applications are processed in order of receipt and travel dates are taken into due consideration. The Consulate General of Ireland cannot guarantee that a decision will be made by your intended travel date if less than the required processing time is given. Moreover, the Consulate does not offer an expediting service for visas.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable confirm receipt of applications. If we require additional information or documentation, we will contact you via email.

The processing of Working Holiday Authorisation applications has resumed as of Monday, 1 November 2021. The Consulate is only accepting Working Holiday Authorisation applications by mail until futher notice. It is not possible to submit Working Holiday Authorisation applications in person at the Consulate or to pick up original documentation. Information on the Working Holiday Authroisation can be referred to here.

US citizens do not require a visa for study in Ireland.  However, you must register with the immigration authorities on arrival.

If you have a question relating to immigrating to Ireland and applying for immigration permission, please consult the Irish Immigration Service’s website for information.

Who needs a Visa Show the panel body Hide the panel body

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 Show the panel body Hide the panel body

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 Show the panel body Hide the panel body

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 Show the panel body Hide the panel body

You need to:

  1. Complete the online application form 

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

  1. Gather your supporting documentation, passport photograph and fee.
  2. 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 Show the panel body Hide the panel body

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 Show the panel body Hide the panel body

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

Payment Details

We accept the following forms of payment:

Payment is made by bank draft or money order only, made payable to "Consulate General of Ireland". You will submit this payment with the rest of the required supporting documentation.

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