Travelling to Ireland

Lying to the West of Great Britain, Ireland is the third largest island in Europe and is divided between the Republic of Ireland, covering five-sixths of the island and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.  

If you want to travel outside of Northern Ireland, you may need a visa.  Check with the Embassy to find out whether you need one and how to apply.

Embassy Address
Passport & Visa Office
114a Cromwell Road,
London, SW7 4ES

Tel: 020 - 7235 2171

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9:30am to 12:00pm

Online: Embassy website

Do I need a visa to visit Ireland?
Some countries have special relationships with other countries which enables their residents to travel freely between the two without a visa. Check if you definitely need a visa to travel by checking the Embassy website.

How can I apply?
You must apply online. To apply for a visa, go to the Embassy website, and then follow the instructions provided.
Please note: It may take you several weeks to get your visa, especially before the Christmas, Easter and summer vacations. Therefore, you should be making your application at least 8 weeks before you intend to travel.

What documents do I need?
For a full list of documentation required for a Short Stay Tourist visa, you should check the Embassy website.

How long will it take?
You will need to visit the Irish Embassy website to find out how long it will take for your application to be returned to you. This varies from country to country and can take up to 8 weeks so make sure you apply in plenty of time.

How can the Immigration & International Student Advice team help me with my visa?

The IISA team does not offer a service whereby they make your visa application or appointment for you. This is because generally travelling outside of the UK during your studies is for your personal pleasure. They can however check through your documents before you send your application or before you attend your visa appointment.

If you would like an adviser to check your documents for you, you should email [email protected] stating which country you are applying to and the date of your appointment. Please note that this service is not guaranteed and is subject to staff availability and IISA commitments.