Visa Information

To come to Ireland for up to 90 days to attend a Conference/Event, select the following options in AVATS:

• Visa type: ‘Short Stay (C)’
• Reason for travel: ‘Conference/Event’
• Journey type: ‘single’ or ‘multiple’ (as appropriate for you)

Note: Multiple entry visas are approved in limited circumstances only.

How do you go about applying?

There is a list of steps you will need to complete in order to obtain your visa to enter for the duration of the congress. It is a good idea to do this in good time, to factor in for waiting times, and the possibility of delays. The website has full write ups for each country as to what exactly is required by someone looking to visit.

n addition there is a write up about the exact documents that are required again laid out based on each individual countries requirements: Visa requirement and travel documents accepted by Ireland.

Documents for Visa Application 

Travel Document 

• Your current passport
• A photocopy of each page from all previous passports you have (where available).
• Your current passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Ireland.

Your application will be delayed if you do not provide copies of all previous passports you have.

Travel to-or-from Ireland through a different country

Include a letter that describes your travel plan to-or-from Ireland if you intend to:

• Travel to Ireland directly from a country that is not your home country, or a country where you are a legal resident
• Or travel from Ireland directly to a different country
• The letter must state if you need visas for those countries (or not).

Photographs 

Include 2 passport-sized colour photographs of the visa applicant. On the back of each photo:

• Sign your name (in your native script and language)
• Write your Visa Application Transaction Number from AVATS
• Each photograph must meet all the following rules for visa photographs.

Letter from the conference organiser

You must ask the organiser of the conference to send you a letter on headed paper.

Request a visa invitation letter by filling out this form.

Request a visa letter

It may be helpful to also obtain a letter from your home institution with similar details.

Application form

You will need to complete this online application form. Complete this in its entirety. Under inviting person you should put the following details, to match the details on the visa invitation letter we will issue to you:

Prof. Supriya Garikipati
The Conference Convenor
Centre for Sustainable Development
University College Dublin (UCD)
email: [email protected]
Tel: +353 1 716 8397/8182

Your Application letter

Your application letter should include:

• Your full name and postal address
• Reason you want to come to Ireland
• Dates you plan to arrive and leave
• Names and addresses of any members of your family who currently live in Ireland or any other EU/EEA country or Switzerland
• Sign and date your letter.

Your letter must include a commitment from you that you will:

• Obey the conditions of your visa in full
• Not apply to any hospital (public or private) to gain experience in any capacity, for example, acting as an observer
• Not rely on public services (for example public hospitals) or become a burden on the StateLeave Ireland before your immigration permission expires.

Your letter must contain an estimate of the total cost of your visit and training course (in Euro), including separate estimates for:

• All costs and expenses you personally will pay for (if any)
• All costs and expenses paid for by a third-party (if any), for example your employer.

Obligations to return home

You must include proof that you will leave Ireland when your business trip ends. You must show that you have a strong obligation to return home (to your country of residence) for economic, social or family reasons, see examples on this page.

Proof of employment or studies

• If employed: an employer’s letter on official letterhead confirming the applicant’s start date and continued employment and /or pay slips for the last three months. The letter should state the date of issue, name, address, telephone number and position of signatory and registration number.
• If self-employed: original letter from a solicitor, accountant or Companies House confirming self-employment status or business ownership.
• If student: a recently signed student letter from the school, college or university confirming the applicant’s enrolment and indicating the start and end date of their studies.

Accommodation plan

• In your application letter include a description of everywhere you will stay in Ireland (for example, hotel, hostel), including the dates you will stay at each place.
• Include printed reservation confirmations (emails or letters) of your accommodation.

Medical or Travel Insurance

• If your application for a visa is approved, you must get medical or travel insurance before you travel. You will not be allowed to enter Ireland without it.
• In some cases, you may be asked to submit proof that you have medical or travel insurance before a visa is granted.

Proof of financial means

You must show that you have enough money to support yourself fully in Ireland.

There is no minimum amount of finance for approving or refusing a visa application.

The visa officer will decide if you have enough based on your own circumstances.

Proof of permission

If you are not a citizen of the country you are applying from you must submit proof that you have permission to be in that country, for example a photocopy of your residence card.

You must also show you have at least 3 months’ permission to remain in that country after the date you plan to leave Ireland.

Proof of fee payment (where relevant)

You may have to include proof that you have paid the visa application fee;

Current fees are:

• €60: Single entry – Short stay ‘C’ visa
• €100: Multiple entry – Short stay ‘C’ visa
• Extra charges may apply for some applications, for example consular fees.

Please note the visa fees are non-refundable.

Visa refusals

• If you were ever refused a visa by any country, type or write a description about it.
• You must also include the original letter sent to you by the authorities that refused your application.

Important: Your application for an Irish visa will be refused if you do not include information about past visa refusals.

If travelling with children

• You will need to show a legal document showing your relationship with the child – such as birth certificate or adoption papers.
• Persons between the ages of 5 and 17 years (inclusive) should be accompanied by their parent/guardian or other responsible adult while their prints are being taken.
• Children under 5 years are not required to provide their fingerprints but will still require their own visa to enter Ireland.

Any other supporting documentation

It may help to provide other supporting documentation, additional paperwork such as details of previous conferences attended, – titles of papers and dates, locations of conferences – details of any awards you have received, details of publications in your name.

About translating documents: 

Ireland has specific rules around official document translations:

• You must provide a full and certified translation into the English or Irish language of any documents not in English or Irish.
• Send both the original documents and the certified translations.

Read a longer description about how to make a certified translation of a document.

When should you apply? 

We recommend you apply at least three (3) months before you travel, allowing time for any delays caused by various factors, such as the tourist high season.

You can request a visa invitation letter by filling out the request form below.

Request a visa letter

How long will it take?

• Visa applications are processed in the order they are received. Processing times differ between application offices and application types and may also vary during the year, for example, at holiday periods.
• In general, you can expect a decision for a short stay ‘C’ exam visa about 8 weeks after your documents are received.

NB//You must send the documents listed above to your application office within 30 days of creating an application via AVATS. Your application will not be processed until everything is received.

Useful links and further information

About the Irish visa
Conference/Event visa
Guidance on documentation
How to apply
Biometrics
Where to check your Visa decision