DFA Logo

This content from the
Department of Foreign Affairs
has now moved to Ireland.ie/shanghai. If you are not redirected in five seconds, click here.

Skip to main content

Please be advised that the Consulate General of Ireland, Shanghai website has moved and this page is no longer being updated. The Consulate website is now available at Ireland.ie/shanghai.

Visas for Ireland

An on-line visa application system is now operational in China.

Before You Apply

A comprehensive guide is available to help you complete your on0line application form. Please thoroughly read this guide before applying. Click on the links below to view the guide in your preferred language. This guides are available in PDF format. See our section "How to view PDF documents"" for information on how to use PDF files.

Explanatory Leaflet to assist you in completing your on-line application form:

Please check out General Information page for further details on applying for a visa. A full list of required documentation for each Visa Type is also available.

Complete your application online

On-line applications can be made through the following website:

www.visas.inis.gov.ie/AVATS/OnlineHome.aspx

The page may take some time to load. Please be patient. Once the page has loaded click "Apply Now" at the top left of the page to begin the application process.

All questions within the online application are in English and must be answered in English.

Help tips are available in certain fields which will explain what information is being sought. You will need to print a summary of your application form as part of the on-line application process. You will therefore need the ability to print from the computer on which you complete your application.

We also recommend you have the following information at hand before you apply:

  1. Passport and details of any previous passports - number, date of issue/expiry
  2. Details of any previous Irish visa applications
  3. Contact details for your host in Ireland
  4. Itinerary

During the application process you can save your application, exit the online form and return later to complete and submit it. (Within 30 days).

If you experience technical difficulties in using the facility, we would welcome your feedback by email to pagemaster@justice.ie

Submit your application at a Visa Application Centre

Once you have completed your online application, you will be directed to make an appointment to attend at a Visa Application Centre to provide biometrics, pay the appropriate visa and service charge fee and/or submit supporting documents.

Visa Decisions

A list of visa decisions is published weekly on this site.

Student Visa Applications

Study Visa applicants should note that with the discontinuation of "The additional form to be completed by Study Visa Applicants, form BJ(S)", additional supporting documentation is now required with your application in China. Please refer to our Study Visa Information page for further details.

The Irish Visa Office wishes to remind our customers to be vigilant against fraudulent activity currently being targeted at some applicants. It has come to our attention that some of our customers have been contacted by email by a person(s) purporting to be from this office advising them to click on an internet link and to enter personal passwords etc.

This is an attempted fraud. Fees for various services charged by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) and VFS are published on Visa Fees & VFS service charge and payment methods.

Other than the published list of fees, no other fees are charged.

Do not give details of your immigration application by email or to telephone callers unless you are sure who they are. If you have received an email from this office and are unsure if it legitimate, contact the Irish Visa Office in Beijing by telephone on + 86 10 65326945 / 65326971 / 72 / 73.

Requirement if a Solicitor is acting on your behalf for your visa application

If you employ a Solicitor on your behalf to deal directly with this office in relation to any aspect on your visa application, please remember to include a signed letter of authorisation by you the applicant allowing us to disclose personal information to your Solicitor that is relevant to, or included in the documents of your visa application.