Visa FAQs
News
09 December 2022
- Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland?
- I have a Spanish residence card. Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland?
- I am a family member of an EU citizen. Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland?
- My residence card has expired / has less than three month’s validity. Can I apply for a visa?
- I have not got a Spanish residence card. Can I apply for a visa through the Irish Embassy in Spain?
- How do I apply for a visa to Ireland and what are the required documents?
- Can I submit my application by post or courier?
- Can I submit my application in person at the Embassy?
- Do I have to submit my original passport/residence card or can I keep them?
- Do I have to submit original documents?
- When will you return my original documents?
- How can I contact the Visa Office?
- How long will my application take?
- How much does it cost to apply for a visa? Can I apply for a multiple entry visa?
- How do I pay the visa fee?
- Do I need a certified translation of documents in Spanish?
- Do you acknowledge receipt of the application or provide status updates?
- How do I get my documents back when you have made a decision on my visa?
Para información en español, consulte las Visados Preguntas Frecuentes.
1. Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland?
The need for an Irish visa or preclearance is based on your nationality. To check if your nationality is visa required please consult the link.
2. I have a Spanish residence card. Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland?
Ireland is not a part of the Schengen Area. A Schengen visa or Spanish residence permit does not entitle you to travel to Ireland without a visa. To check if your nationality is visa required please consult the link.
3. I am a family member of an EU citizen. Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland?
For information on non-EU family members of EU citizens, please read the information in this link carefully: Non-EU family member of EU citizen-31082023
4. My residence card has expired / has less than three month’s validity. Can I apply for a visa?
Visa processing can commence with the original current Residence Card (whether expired or with less than 3 months validity) and the original resguardo de renovción must be presented if the card is expired. However, the decision can only be made with a Residence Card that has at least three months validity or an Autorización de regreso with 90 days validity.
You must present the new original Residence Card as soon as you receive it. If you will not receive it prior to travel, you must present an original Autorización de regreso prior to the date of travel. Visas granted on the basis of the latter may be subject to date restrictions.
We advise that you do not include the Autorización de regreso when you submit the application. The Visa officer will request the missing documents during the processing.
5. I have not got a Spanish residence card. Can I apply for a visa through the Irish Embassy in Spain?
In order to process a visa for Ireland through the Embassy of Ireland in Madrid the applicant must be legally resident in Spain. If the applicant is not legally resident in Spain they must apply through the Embassy of Ireland that corresponds to their country of habitual residence. To check which Embassy you should apply to click here Irish Embassies Abroad .
6. How do I apply for a visa to Ireland and what are the required documents?
To apply for the visa please fill in the online form. Once completed, click on ‘View and Print Sheet’, and print the Summary sheet. You must sign and date this sheet and send the following as part of your application:
- Your original Spanish residence card: for short stay visas it must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave Ireland. You must also provide a legible photocopy. If you require your original residence card while your application is being processed, please see the information available here.
- Your original passport: for short stay visas it must be valid for 6 months after the date you plan to leave Ireland; for long stay visas, it must be valid for 12 months after your intended arrival in Ireland. You must also provide a recent, legible photocopy which contains:
- The biodata page and all pages with stamps or visas, but not blank pages.
- All pages correctly sized and in the correct numerical order.
- All required supporting documents for your specific category of visa, as detailed on the Irish Immigration website. Please click on the links below for some of the most common visa applications. If you are uncertain as to which visa is the right one for you, please contact the Visa Office.
Short stay C visas (less than 90 days)
Long stay D visas (90 days or more)
If the type of visa you want is not listed (i.e. Erasmus + Unpaid internship, Join your EU Family member in Ireland), please contact the Visa Office for information.
7. Can I submit my application by post or courier?
The Embassy accepts applications sent by post or courier. All applications should be sent to: Embassy of Ireland, Visa Section, Paseo de la Castellana 46 – 4, 28046 Madrid.
8. Can I submit my application in person at the Embassy?
Applications can only be submitted by registered post or by courier.
9. Do I have to submit my original passport/residence card or can I keep them?
The Visa Office needs to see your original passport and original residence card but, if you require these documents while your application is being processed, we provide different options for keeping them. Please read the following information carefully.
Photocopy stamped by an Irish Honorary Consulate
- If you send your application by post or courier, you may send a photocopy of your residence card/passport certified by one of our Honorary Consulates. Our Honorary Consulates will charge a fee to certify a copy of your passport or residence card.
- Please note that if the visa is granted, you will need to return your passport to the Embassy.
- Please note that we do not accept copies witnessed by a Spanish notary.
Postal applications
Alternatively, if you send your application by post, you may send your original resident card and passport and request their return on receipt of the application. Please include:
- A letter clearly requesting the return of your residence card / passport on reception of the application. You must also indicate the complete address with the postal code. Please note that other original documents will be returned when the decision is made.
- Original valid passport and photocopy.* You must also include copies of previous passports but do not include original previous passports.
- Original residence card and photocopy of both sides.
- Please note, if you do not provide photocopies of your valid passport and residence card, we will return the application.
- You must include a prepaid envelope which can be bought in Correos. Please write the complete address clearly and legibly on the envelope. Ensure you include the post code and we suggest you include your telephone number (9 digit format). Please note it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they provide the complete correct address. The Embassy will not be responsible for delays in delivery or loss of documents owing to an incomplete or incorrect address.
- We endeavour to post the documents within 3 working days of reception at the Embassy. If the address you provide is incomplete, the delivery time may take longer.
- Please note that if the visa is granted, you will need to return your passport to the Embassy.
Courier applications
If you send your application by courier with your original resident card and passport, you must organise a separate collection by the courier in order to receive your documents. Please include the following:
- A letter clearly requesting the return of your residence card / passport on reception of the application. Please note that other original documents will be returned only when the decision is made.
- Original valid passport and photocopy.* You must also include copies of previous passports but do not include original previous passports.
- Original residence card and photocopy of both sides.
- Please note, if you do not provide photocopies of your valid passport and residence card, we will return the application.
- Please note that if the visa is granted, you will need to return your passport to the Embassy.
*Passport photocopy
- You must copy the biodata page and all pages with stamps or visas, but not blank pages.
- All pages must be correctly sized and in the correct numerical order.
- Please ensure that the photocopies are recent and contain all stamps and visas.
10. Do I have to submit original documents?
- All documents submitted must be original (unless otherwise stated). We cannot accept scanned documents sent by email or photocopies of original documents.
- You must include a photocopy of any documents you want returned, including your valid passport and residence card.
- We will return applications that do not have a photocopy of original documents such as current passport, residence card, birth certificates, marriage certificates and title deeds.
- Please note that we do not return bank statements or tax documents so it is not necessary to provide a photocopy of your bank statement.
11. When will you return my original documents?
We will return original documents when the decision is made. You must:
- Include a list of the documents you want returned and
- Include a photocopy of each document.
- If you do not provide a photocopy, we will not return the documents.
12. How can I contact the Visa Office?
Email queries: madrid.visados@dfa.ie
We strongly recommend reading all the information in the Frequently Asked Questions before sending an email. The Visa Office will not reply to queries that are covered in the FAQs.
We endeavour to reply to emails within three working days. However, during peak times such as Christmas, Easter and summer, waiting time may be longer given the volume of queries the Embassy receives.
Telephone queries: 00 34 914319784, 9:30 – 11:00, Mon-Fri. If your query is related to an application already submitted, you must indicate the reference number.
Public office: The Visa Office is open for the collection of visas by appointment only.
- Opening hours: Monday and Wednesday, 12:00 – 13:30
- Address: Embassy of Ireland, Paseo de la Castellan, 46 - 4, 28046 Madrid
13. How long will my application take?
Visa processing, including Visit visas, takes a minimum of 8 weeks from the time we receive all the required documents, therefore we strongly advise you to apply with sufficient time and to make sure you submit all the required documents. If documents are missing, the application will be delayed.
Business visas are processed in 4 weeks from the time we receive all the required documents. If documents are missing, the application will be delayed.
Applications are processed strictly in the order they are received and there is no expedited process. If you are planning to travel at Christmas, Easter or summer, you may submit your application up to 12 weeks before the intended travel date.
14. How much does it cost to apply for a visa? Can I apply for a multiple entry visa?
The following fees apply:
- Single Entry Visa: €60
- Multiple Entry Visa: €100
Some applicants are exempt from the requirement to pay a visa fee. Check the visa fee page of the Irish Immigration website to see if the fee applies to you.
Nationals of the countries included in the Irish Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme who are long term legal residents in Spain are currently exempt from paying the visa fee. This applies until further notice. Please see the visa fee section of the Irish Immigration website.
When applying for a business visa or a visa to visit family, or for certain long-stay visas, you may apply for a multiple entry visa. You must justify your request for a multiple entry visa and, as with all visa applications, the granting of a multi-entry visa is at the discretion of the Visa Officer. Paying the fee for a Multiple Entry Visa does not guarantee that one will be granted. Please note that Conference visas are generally issued as single entry.
15. How do I pay the visa fee?
The visa fee can only be paid by bank transfer and must be paid to the following account:
Bank Account Name: Embajada de Irlanda
Bank Address: BBVA, C/Claudio Coello 92, Madrid 28006
Bank Account No: 0182 1932 44 0201542340
IBAN Code: ES90 0182 1932 44 0201542340
Swift/BIC code: BBVAESMMXXX
You must include your name and the word ‘VISA’ in the Observaciones/concepto of the transfer to ensure that the fee is registered on your application.
Some applicants are exempt from the requirement to pay a visa fee. Check the visa fee page of the Irish Immigration website to see if the fee applies to you.
16. Do I need a certified translation of documents in Spanish?
According to the requirements, all documents that are not in English must be translated by a certified translator.
- You must submit the original document with the certified translation. Please note we cannot accept the translation without the original document.
- If you want the certified translation returned, you must provide a photocopy of the translation.
The following documents do not need to be translated if they are in Spanish:
- Identity documents or renewal of Spanish residence card
- Bank statements and tax documents.
- Regarding the translation of other documents, you may contact the Visa Office on 00 34 914319784, 9:30 – 11:00, Mon-Fri.
17. Do you acknowledge receipt of the application or provide status updates?
- Given the volume of applications that the Visa Office handles, the Embassy does not acknowledge reception of applications or documents nor provide status updates.
- Should you wish confirmation of delivery to the Embassy, you must use Recorded delivery (con acuse de recibo) when you send your application by registered post or courier.
- We will be in contact by email to request any missing documents and when the decision is made.
18. How do I get my documents back when you have made a decision on my visa?
There are three options for receiving your documents. You may:
- Collect your passport from the Embassy by appointment, which can be made by calling the visa line at 00 34 914319784, 9.30 - 11.00, Mon-Fri or by email. The Visa Office is open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday, 12.00 - 13.30.
- Send a courier to collect it. The Embassy's office hours are 9.00 – 16.45. Please advise us when the courier is going to arrive.
- Send a prepaid envelope, which can be bought in any Correos office. Place it inside another envelope and send it to the Embassy with a letter indicating your complete address with the postal code. Please write the complete address clearly and legibly on the envelope. Ensure you include the postal code and we suggest you include your telephone number (9 digit format).
