You need a transit visa for Ireland

You need a Transit Visa to travel through an Irish airport/seaport on your way to another destination, subject to the information below.

To transit through Ireland means you are only passing through an Irish airport or seaport to travel to another destination. To transit, you cannot pass through border control. If you pass through border control, you are not transiting.

If you have to pass through border control, you must apply for a short stay or long stay visa. You will not be allowed through border control using a Transit Visa only. Change your answers

 

Before you travel

Apply for a visa for your country of destination

You must have a visa for the country you are travelling to in your passport, before you apply for an Irish Transit Visa.

You will not be given an Irish Transit Visa if you do not have a visa for your final destination.

Apply for a Transit Visa

Apply for a Transit Visa. You will not be allowed to come to Ireland without:

  • A visa for your final destination, and
  • An Irish Transit Visa

When you travel

In the Irish airport

When you arrive in Ireland, you will not be allowed to pass through border control while you wait for your connecting flight or for any reason. Times you would pass through border control would include, but are not limited to:

  • Leaving the terminal building for any purpose, including in some cases having to transfer between terminals for a connecting flight.
  • In cases where you must collect your bags and check them in to your onward flight.
  • Transiting overnight - all Irish airports close at night and passengers are required to pass through border control.

Before you travel please check with your Airline if you have to pass through border control.

Exception

Travel from Ethiopia to USA or Canada via Ireland

You do not need an Irish transit visa if you are a citizen of Ethiopia and are travelling on your national passport directly from Ethiopia via Ireland to the United States or Canada. You must have permission to travel to the United States or Canada.

You will not need a transit visa to travel directly from the United States or Canada back to Ethiopia via Ireland. You must have been legally in the United States or Canada at the time of your departure.

Read more about transit from Ethiopia to the USA or Canada via Ireland

How to apply

When to apply

You should apply for a visa 3 months before you travel.

You may need extra time to also apply for the visa for your destination country.

How to apply

You must apply from your home country or a country where you are a legal resident:

  1. Read detailed instructions for the Transit Visa
  2. Submit your visa application online
  3. Send your passport and other documents for processing

You will be given instructions where to send your documents when you apply online.

Visa costs

Extra charges may apply for some applications, eg consular fees.

 

Contact

If you have questions, contact us.

Updated: 3 September 2018

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