Application requirements for a Visit Visa
Document Checklist
Visit Visa Checklist 2023 (English Version)
If you are visa required national, you need a Short Stay Visit Family/Friend Visa to come to visit relatives and friends in Ireland for up to 90 days. All short stay visas are also called 'C' visas.
You may apply for a Multiple-Entry visa if you have a compliant travel history and your family member/friend will remain legally resident in Ireland for a number of years. Please note that the issuance of a Multiple Entry visa remains at the discretion of the Visa Officer.
You may travel to the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), after first entering Ireland, if your Irish visa has the letters 'BIVS' written on it. More details on the British Irish Visa Scheme can be found here.
If your visa does not have the letters 'BIVS' written on it, you will need a UK visa to enter the UK (including Northern Ireland).
Chinese nationals are permitted to transit through the UK on their journey to Ireland if the letters 'BC' are written on their Irish visa.
Please be advised that all documents in a language different from English must be accompanied by an official translation into English.
You are required to provide photocopies of all original documents.
It is strongly recommended not to purchase travel tickets prior to a decision being made on your visa application. Doing so may lead to unnecessary additional costs in circumstances where a visa is not granted.
As a visitor, you must be able to support and accommodate yourself without working in Ireland. It is acceptable for support and accommodation to be provided by relatives or friends in Ireland but not from public funds.
It is not possible to change your immigration status while in Ireland.
Special requirements for applicants under 18 years:
If you are visiting Ireland as a part of a tourist group with an authorised ADS tourist agency please see the section on Approved Destination Status (ADS) Tourist Visas
Short Stay Visit Family/Friend
Documents Required
Personal documents
- Signed visa application summary form. Please refer to our How to Apply page.
- Current passport with 2 clear pages and valid for at least 6 months after your return from Ireland.
- If you have held a previous passport, you must submit your previous passport with your application. If you are unable to do so, a written explanation must be provided along with any relevant police reports.
- Copy of Chinese immigration records from the National Immigration Administration Bureau (https://s.nia.gov.cn.) This is a free service which is also available on WeChat.
- 2 photocopies of the passport identity and signature page.
- Previous Passports (if any).
- 2 colour passport photographs taken in the last 6 months (one to be glued to the top left of your application form). The photographs must meet INIS specifications. Please see our General Information page.
- Evidence of visa fee payment.
- Photocopy of applicant's social insurance book with official English translation (if resident in Mongolia).
- Photocopy of applicant's household registration/Hukou book with official English translation.
- Copy of marriage certificate, birth certificates of children (if applicable).
- For foreign residents: Residence permit and valid re-entry visa if applicable.
- A signed letter of application from the applicant outlining why you want to come to Ireland. Sign and date the letter and submit it with your documents. Your letter must include your full name and postal address, and state:
- The reason you want to come to Ireland;
- The dates you plan to arrive and leave;
- The place(s) you will stay, for example home address of your friend/family, hotel, hostel, B&B, etc.;
- A description of who will pay for your vacation, for example you, friend/family.
Your letter must also include a commitment from you that you will:
- Obey the conditions of your visa in full;
- Not rely on public services (for example public hospitals) or become a burden on the State;
- Leave Ireland before your immigration permission expires.
If you are visiting a friend(s), your letter must also include:
- The name(s) and address(es) of your friend(s) in Ireland;
- A description of how you and your friend(s) know each other;
- The names and addresses of any members of your family who also live in Ireland (even if you will not visit them);
- The names and addresses of any members of your family who currently live in any other EU/EEA country or Switzerland;
If you are visiting family, your letter must also include:
- The names and addresses of all members of your family who live in Ireland (including family members you will not be visiting);
- The names and addresses of any members of your family who currently live in any other EU/EEA country or Switzerland;
- If you are a student, you should include a letter from your educational institution stating your course of study and expected completion date. Letter should include contact details for the school so that the information can be verified.
- If you are not in employment or are retired, you should provide information regarding your social and economic ties to China, e.g. retirement cert.
- If you are employed:
If you are an employee: you must submit a letter from your current employer on headed paper confirming:
- Details of your current employment (job title, length employed, salary);
- Letter should state the name, date of birth, and passport number of the applicant;
- Employment letter should include contact details for employer so that the information can be verified. The letter must include a full postal address, name of contact, position in company, telephone number (landline) and email address. Email addresses such as Yahoo or Hotmail are not accepted. The website address for the company should also be provided, if possible.
If you are self-employed: You must submit documentary evidence of your business/company in the form of:
- A copy of your business licence.
- Up-to-date bank statements for your business bank account covering 6 month period immediately prior to the visa application.
- If you are staying in other accommodation you must include printed reservation confirmations (emails or letters) of your accommodation from hotels, guesthouses, hostels, B&Bs, AirBnBs, campsites, etc. Reservation confirmations must show the dates you intend to stay at each place. A full accommodation plan must be submitted with your application. Reservations must contain the full contact details of the accommodation provider.
Documents from your family member/friend in Ireland
- Letter of invitation from your friend/family member in Ireland confirming your dates of travel, that they will provide accommodation for you or that you will stay in a hotel. If a Multiple Entry visa is required, the reasons why it is needed. The letter must be signed and dated by the person making the invitation. The letter should contain contact details of reference in Ireland. The letter should be addressed to the visa applicant and the visa applicant must submit it as a supporting document with his/her visa application. The inviting person should also provide the following documents (copies are sufficient):
- Recent utility bill denoting address;
- Copy of passport details page;
- Copy of GNIB/IRP card if inviter is a non Irish/EEA national.
- Evidence of application for permission to marry from Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriage, if applicable.
- Letter confirming graduation ceremony/other event in Ireland, if applicable.
- If you are visiting a Friend: documentary evidence of the relationship between you and your friend(s), for example copies of letters, emails, photographs together, etc.;
- If you are visiting a Family member: notarised certificate confirming kinship with reference in Ireland.
Finance Documents
- You must submit evidence of your own finances whether or not you are covering the costs of the visit yourself. A detailed statement on headed paper of your bank account covering a six- month period immediately prior to your visa application is required. Bank statements must be on headed paper - internet printouts will not be accepted. Your name, account number and account type must be visible on the statement. Any large lump sum lodgements must be explained in a separate signed statement. An original bank savings certificate, bank deposit book (if applicable).
- If your family member/friend in Ireland is financing your trip:
- You must submit evidence of the inviting person's finances. A detailed statement on headed paper of his/her bank account covering the six-month period immediately prior to your visa application is required. Bank statements must be on headed paper - internet printouts will not be accepted. The inviting person's name, address, account number and account type must be visible on the statement. Any large lump sum lodgements must be explained in a separate signed statement by your sponsor.
- Evidence of the inviting person's employment:
- Their 3 most recent payslips;
- Their most recent P60 (tax document);
- A letter from their employer on headed paper that confirms they are employed.
- If the person travelling is a student or unemployed, their application should also include the following:
- Letter of sponsorship stating the sponsor will cover the cost of your visit. The letter must be signed by the sponsor and include his/her address and contact details;
- Evidence of how the sponsor is related to you and a copy of their passport details page(if applicable);
- Letter from sponsor's employer on headed company paper including salary and contact details for the company;
- You must submit evidence of your sponsor's finances. A detailed statement on headed paper of your sponsor's bank account covering a six- month period immediately prior to your visa application is required. Bank statements must be on headed paper - internet printouts will not be accepted. Your sponsor's name, , account number and account type must be visible on the statement. Any large lump sum lodgements must be explained in a separate signed statement by your sponsor.
If you have been refused a visa for any other country, details of this must be given. Submit a copy of the letter issued to you by the authorities of that country. Concealment of visa refusals will result in your Irish visa application being refused.
Please follow the link for information on visas fees, payment methods, and where to apply: https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/china/visas/visafees/
Before you complete your visa application please thoroughly read the information contained on our General Information page.
We aim to make a decision on your application as soon as possible however, please allow 20 working days from receipt in the Beijing Visa Office for your application to be processed. You may submit your application up to 3 months in advance of your travel date