Short Stay/Conference Event Visa

 

Delegates who require a visa to travel to Ireland should submit their visa application at least 8 weeks before their planned travel date.

 

Further information at the link below:

 

http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Conference%20or%20Event%20Visa

 

1. About this visa

 

A short stay 'C' conference/event visa allows you to travel to Ireland for up to 90 days to attend a conference, symposium or other event, eg for business or academic reasons.

 

This visa does not allow you to:

 

• Work in any way (paid or unpaid)
• Rely on Irish public services, eg public hospitals

 

Read the general assessment criteria for all short stay 'C' visas.

 

Note: A visa allows you to travel to Ireland only. It does not give you permission to enter the country or to stay here. An immigration officer at border control can refuse you entry even if you have a visa.

 

2. Who needs to apply

 

You need a visa to come to Ireland if you travel using a passport issued by a country that is visa required or using a travel document issued by certain countries. Each traveller must apply for a separate visa.

 

A conference/event visa application for a young person (aged under 18) should be made by their parent or legal guardian. Extra conditions for young people also apply.

 

You should not purchase travel tickets before you receive a decision on your visa application.

 

How to apply

 

You must apply for a visa from your home country or a country where you are a legal resident. Prepare your application 3 months before you travel.

 

Your application has 3 parts:

 

1. Create a visa application online
2. Pay the visa application fee
3. Send your passport & other documents for processing
4. Note: In some cases, you may also need to provide biometric information

 

You will be given information about where to send your documents after you create your visa application.

 

If your application is successful, an Irish visa will be placed into your passport/travel document and returned to you. In general, you can expect a decision about 8 weeks after we receive your documents.

 

Important: Do not include false or misleading information or documents in your application. If you do, your application may be refused. In some circumstances, you may not be allowed to appeal the visa decision and may be blocked from getting an Irish visa for 5 years.

 

3. Special visa programmes

 

Travel to Ireland using a UK visa

 

You may be able to visit Ireland, for less than 90 days, without an Irish visa if you can answer “yes” to each of these questions:

 

• Do you have an eligible UK short stay visa?

 

and

 

• Does your visit to Ireland end before your permission to stay in UK ends (this is granted by an UK immigration official when you pass through UK immigration)?

 

and

 

• Was your passport issued by one of the countries listed in the link on the next line?

 

Read how this works under the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme.

 

Travel between Ireland & UK for certain Chinese & Indian nationals

 

You may be able to visit Ireland and the United Kingdom using a single Irish or UK visa if you travel using a Chinese or Indian passport.

 

Read how this works under the British-Irish Visa Scheme.

 

4. Create your visa application online

 

AVATS is the online visa application system. To apply for a visa, answer all questions in AVATS fully and honestly.

 

Apply for an Irish visa online via AVATS

 

Short stay conference/event visa

 

To travel to Ireland to attend a conference or event for up to 90 days, 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

 

Get answers to common questions when applying for a visa in AVATS.

 

Application summary

 

When finished, you will be shown a web page with important summary information, including your:

 

• Visa Application Transaction Number: Keep a note of this number. You will need it to check progress on your application or when contacting us.
• Application summary sheets: Print, sign and date these sheets and send them to your application office (as below), along with your passport and other documents.
• Application office: Send your application to the office address shown on your summary sheet. Your application office may be the Dublin Visa Office, an international Visa Office or an Irish Embassy or Consulate worldwide, depending on where you apply from. (In some cases, your application office may send your application to a different office for a visa decision.)

 

5. Pay the visa application fee

 

Payment methods and currency options may differ between offices. Contact your application office to find out how to pay. Some applicants are exempt and do not pay visa fees.

 

Current fees are:

 

• € 60: Single entry - Short stay 'C' visa
• € 100: Multiple entry - Short stay 'C' visa
• Extra charges may apply for some applications, eg consular fees

 

The visa fee covers the administrative cost of processing your application. It will not be refunded if your application is withdrawn or refused.

 

6. Documents required

 

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

 

Prepare your documents carefully. They contain information we need to make a decision about you. It is your responsibility to satisfy us that a visa should be granted.

 

Click here to read important rules for documents

 

Your application may be refused if you do not submit all documents. Even if you submit everything required, there is no guarantee that a visa will be granted.

 

i. Application summary sheets

 

Print, sign and date the Application summary sheets (from AVATS) and include them with your application documents.

 

ii. Application letter

 

Type or write a letter explaining 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:

 

• A description of the conference or event and who is organising it
• The reason you want to attend the conference or event
• The dates you plan to arrive and leave
• The names and addresses of any members of your family who currently live in Ireland or any other EU/EEA country or Switzerland

 

Your letter must contain confirmation of your attendance at the conference, including:

 

• Confirmation that you are registered to attend, eg confirmation email or original letter
• Confirmation that your registration fees have been fully paid (if relevant), eg original receipt or payment

 

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 (eg public hospitals) or become a burden on the State
• Leave Ireland before your immigration permission expires

 

iii. Letter from the conference organiser

 

You must ask the organiser of the conference to send you a letter with the information listed below. Include this letter with your application.

 

The letter must include:

 

• A description of the conference and who has organised it
• Confirmation that you are officially registered to attend
• Confirmation that your registration fees have been fully paid (if relevant)
• A statement by the conference organiser about what they will contribute to the cost of your visit (if anything):
  • The statement must indicate if the organiser will pay for 'all', 'some' or 'none' of the costs of your visit
  • If 'all' or 'some', the letter must include an estimate of everything the conference organiser will pay for, eg airline tickets, accommodation, living expenses, etc (see viii. Finance plan for more)

 

If you wish to attend more than one conference or event in Ireland, you must obtain a separate letter from each conference organiser.

 

iv. Accommodation plan

 

In your application letter, type or write a description of everywhere you will stay in Ireland (eg hotel, hostel, B&B, etc), including the dates you will stay at each place.

 

Include printed reservation confirmations (emails or letters) of your accommodation from:

 

• Hotels, guesthouses, hostels, B&Bs, AirBnBs, campsites, etc.
• Shared or free accommodation, eg couchsurfing
• Any other type of accommodation

 

Reservation confirmations must show the dates you intend to stay at each place.

 

If you are staying with a host in their home

 

For each host you stay with, ask them to send you a letter with the information listed below. Include this letter with your application.

 

The letter must contain:

 

• The host's full name
• The host's home address in Ireland
• Confirmation by the host that you have been invited to stay
• The dates you will stay with the host
• A statement by your host about what they will contribute to the cost of your visit (if anything):
  • The statement must indicate if they will pay for 'all', 'some' or 'none' of the costs of your visit
  • If 'all' or 'some', the letter must include an estimate of everything they will pay for, eg airline tickets, accommodation, living expenses, etc (see viii. Finance plan for more)

 

You must also ask your host to include proof that they live at their address. To do so, ask them to send you an original utility bill (on headed paper) from within the last 6 months and include it with your application, for example:

 

• Electricity or gas
• Fixed line telephone, TV or broadband
• A print out of a bill from the internet can only be accepted where it is high quality colour; clearly shows the address of the person and the contact details of the utility

 

Travel & medical insurance

 

If your application for a visa is approved, you must get travel/medical 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 travel/medical insurance before a visa is granted.

 

v. Proof of fee payment (where relevant)

 

In some circumstances, you may have to include proof that you have paid the visa application fee. Contact your application office to find out if you need to provide proof and what to include.

 

If you are exempt from the visa fee, you may have to include documents that prove you are exempt. Contact your application office about proof of exemption.

 

Proof of payment/exemption may differ between offices. Extra charges may also apply for some applications, eg consular fees.

 

vi. Passport

 

You must submit:

 

• Your current passport
• A photocopy of each page from any 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 any previous passports you have.

 

Travel to-and-from Ireland via a different country

 

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

 

• Travel to Ireland directly from a different country (ie 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 also state if you need visas for those countries (or not). Include the letter with your application.

 

If relevant, apply for those countries' visas before you apply for an Irish visa. Your application for an Irish visa may be refused if your passport does not contain the expected visas.

 

If you do not get the expected visas before you apply for an Irish visa, explain why in your letter. The visa officer will include those reasons when reviewing your application.

 

If you are not a citizen of the country you are applying from

 

You must submit proof you have permission to be in the country you are applying from, if you are not a citizen, eg 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.

 

vii. 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.

 

viii. Finance plan

 

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

 

Note: 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.

 

If you are paying for your own visit

 

Include an up-to-date bank statement with your documents. The bank statement must:

 

• Be original and on headed bank paperShow your name and address
  • Note: You may use a printed internet statement but it must be officially certified by your bank. We will not accept uncertified internet statements
• Show the bank account number and account type, eg checking/current account, savings/deposit account
• Show money paid in and out of the account over the last 6 months

 

If you submit a bank statement from a savings/deposit account, you must include an original letter from your bank (on headed paper) that confirms you can withdraw money from it.

 

You must also include a written explanation of any large movements of money in or out of your account, if appropriate.

 

If your conference organiser or accommodation host is helping to pay for your visit

 

Include the letter from your conference organiser or host that lists everything they will pay for, eg cost of airline tickets in Euro (as above).

 

If someone else (a third party) is helping to pay for your visit

 

Type or write a description that explains how and why your travel is being paid for by a third party. You must also include the third party's:

 

• Full name and address
• Telephone number
• Email address (if available)
• Website (if appropriate)

 

You must also include:

 

• Proof of the relationship between you and the third party, eg copies of letters, emails, photographs together, etc.
• Your own personal bank statement, following the same rules as described above

 

ix. Proof you will return home

 

You must include proof that you will leave Ireland when your visit ends.

 

To do so, you must show that you have a strong obligation to return home (ie to your country of residence) for economic, social or family reasons.

 

Work

 

If you are employed in a job at home, you must show that you have an obligation to return to your employer. To do so, you should provide:

 

• Your 3 most recent original payslips
• A letter from your employer that includes:
  • How long they have employed you
  • A description of the conference and why you are attending
  • The dates you will be at the conference
  • The date you will be returning to work
  • A statement about what they will contribute to the cost of your visit:
  • The statement must indicate if your employer will pay for 'all', 'some' or 'none' of the costs of your visit
  • If 'all' or 'some', the letter must include an estimate of everything your employer will pay for, eg airline tickets, accommodation, living expenses, etc (see viii. Finance plan for more)

 

If you are self-employed at home, you must show that you have an obligation to continue it. To do so, you must provide a letter that includes:

 

• A description of your business and the products or services you provide
• Proof that your business is trading, for example:
  • Your most recent financial accounts (photocopy)
  • Recent tax return (original)
  • Confirmations of payments from customers from within last 6 months (printed emails or letters)
• Proof of a business reason to attend the conference in Ireland, for example:The date you will return to your business at home
  • Communication by you with the conference organiser (printed emails or letters)

 

Education or study

 

If you are a student at home, you must show that you have an obligation to return to continue your studies. To do so, you should provide a letter from your school or college that states:

 

• The course you are studying
• How many years you have been a student there
• How many years/semesters you have left there
• A description of the conference, how it relates to your studies and why you are attending
• That your school/college expects you return to your studies after your visit to Ireland
• The date you will be returning to study
• A statement about what your school/college will contribute to the cost of your visit (if relevant):
  • The statement must indicate if your school or college will pay for 'all', 'some' or 'none' of the costs of your visit
  • If 'all' or 'some', the letter must include an estimate of everything your school or college will pay for, eg airline tickets, accommodation, living expenses, etc (see viii. Finance plan for more)

 

The letter should also state that your school/college expects you return to your studies after your visit to Ireland.

 

Family

 

If you have a family at home, you must prove that you will return to them. To do so, type or write a description of your family including:

 

• Your family status, eg married, co-habiting, separated, divorced, bereaved, etc
• Any children or dependents, eg elderly parents

 

If you are married and your spouse is not coming to Ireland with you, you should include your original Marriage Certificate with your application.

 

If you have children aged under 18 and they are not coming to Ireland with you, you should include their original Birth Certificates with your application.

 

Property

 

If you own or rent property in your country of residence, type or write a description of it and include it with your application.

 

You should also include other documents as proof, eg your original tenancy/rental agreement or property title deed.

 

x. 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.

 

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

 

xi. Applications for young people (aged under 18)

 

A conference/event visa application for a young person (aged under 18) should be made by their parent or legal guardian.

 

The process follows the same steps described above with some extra conditions (as below) to protect the young person's safety.

 

Click here for extra conditions for young people aged under 18

 

Submit your documents

 

When you are satisfied that you have prepared your application documents, put them into a strong padded envelope and send them to your application office.

 

If you are making a visa application for yourself and another person, you may send them together. To send together:

 

• Place each person's application documents into separate envelopes
• Write the name and Visa Application Transaction Number of each applicant on each envelope
• Place each envelope into a larger envelope send it to the application office

 

Be sure to pay the correct postage for large packages.

 

7. After you apply

 

When we receive your application, we will check that you have included:

 

• Signed and dated Application Summary Sheets
• Proof of payment of the visa application fee (if applicable)
• All other documents listed above

 

When reviewing your application we may contact you to ask for more information or documents. We may also:

 

• Send your passport/travel document for official authentication
• Contact An Garda Síochána (Irish police) for information about you
• Contact government departments or other agencies for information about you, eg INTERPOL

 

Biometric information

 

In some cases, you may need to provide biometric information as part of your application.

 

Contact your application office (as listed on your application summary sheet) to find out if you need to provide biometric information and how to do so.

 

8. Visa decisions

 

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, eg at holiday periods.

 

In general, you can expect a decision for a short stay 'C' conference/event visa about 8 weeks after your documents are received.

 

Note: Your application may take longer if documents are missing, need to be verified or because of personal circumstances, eg if you have a criminal conviction, etc.

 

Check your visa decision

 

Dublin Visa Office

 

If your application was sent to the Dublin Visa Office, new visa decisions and waiting times are published every Tuesday.

 

All other offices

 

If you send your application to an international Visa Office, Irish Embassy or Consulate, contact that office for an update on your application.

 

If your application is approved

 

An Irish visa will be placed into a blank page of your passport/travel document.

 

Your passport/travel document and certain original documents (eg marriage/birth/death certificates and other documents listed by you) will be returned to you by post or arranged for collection at an international Visa Office, Irish Embassy or Consulate.

 

Visas for young people (aged under 18)

 

An Irish visa issued to a young person aged under 18 will show if they are travelling alone (unaccompanied) or with an adult (accompanied).

 

Read a longer description of Irish visas issued to young people and the conditions that apply.

 

If your application is refused

 

You will be sent a 'letter of refusal' that explains why your application was not approved.

 

Your passport/travel document and certain original documents (eg marriage/birth/death certificates and other documents listed by you) will be returned to you by post or arranged for collection at an international Visa Office, Irish Embassy or Consulate.

 

Appeal a visa decision

 

You can appeal a negative visa decision at no cost. To do so, you must submit an appeal within 2 months of the date on your letter of refusal.

 

9. When you travel

 

An Irish visa allows you to travel to Ireland. It does not give you permission to enter the country.

 

You can be refused entry even if you have a visa.

 

Border control

 

When you arrive at border control, you must prove that you have a valid reason for entering Ireland to the immigration officer.

 

To do so you will need your passport, visa and other documents. For example, you should bring copies of documents from your application with you when you travel.

 

Read a longer description about what to expect at border control.

 

Click here for suggested documents to present at border control

 

If you cannot satisfy the immigration officer, you will not be allowed into Ireland.

 

If you are given permission to enter, the officer will place a 'landing stamp' in your passport.

 

The landing stamp shows the reason for your visit (eg conference) and how long you can stay, up to a maximum of 90 days.

 

Leaving Ireland & returning home

 

The time period you are permitted to stay in Ireland is shown on the landing stamp in your passport.

 

You must leave the country before your permission expires. It is against the law to remain here without permission.

 

Extend a stay for unforeseen circumstances

 

In rare and exceptional circumstances, you may apply to extend your permission to stay in Ireland.

 

To apply for an extension, the circumstances of your visit must change in an unforeseen way after you arrive in the country.

 

An extension will not be granted for any non-emergency or foreseeable reason, eg to attend another conference/event.

 

You must be in Ireland to apply and submit an application before your existing permission expires.

 

Contact

 

If you have questions, contact us.