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You need a visa for Ireland

You need an Exam Visa to come to Ireland to sit an exam.

Your exact preparations depend on your plans and personal circumstances. Some of the most important are described below. Read this information carefully to make sure you have everything you need.

You are from a visa required country and you wish to sit an exam in Ireland for less than 3 months. Change your answers

 

Before you travel

Apply for an Exam Visa

You must apply for a short stay Exam Visa. All short stay visas are also called 'C' visas.

You will not be allowed to come to Ireland without a visa.

When you travel

Prepare for border control

You will need to prove that you have a valid reason for entering Ireland to an immigration officer at border control.

To do so you will need your passport, visa, proof of your exam in Ireland (eg printed confirmation) and several other documents.

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

Exam eligibility

Describe your exam in your visa application and provide evidence (eg documents) about why you need to sit it in Ireland. This includes:

During your stay in Ireland

Travel to Northern Ireland & United Kingdom

You cannot travel to Northern Ireland using an Irish visa. You need a visa issued by the United Kingdom.

If you travel from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland and then wish to return to the Republic, you must have a Multiple Entry visa (explained below).

Leaving & returning to Ireland

If you plan to leave and return to Ireland during your stay, you can request a Multiple Entry visa when you apply.

Multiple Entry visas are approved in limited circumstances only, if justified by your application.

How to apply

When to apply

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

You may need extra time to prepare documents to support your application, eg proof you have registered for your exam.

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 Exam 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: 20 January 2017

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