You may need a visa for Ireland
You will need a valid Seafarer's Identity Document and - in some cases - a Join Ship Visa to join a ship in Ireland.
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 visit Ireland for less than 3 months in order to join a ship. Change your answers
Before you travel
Check your Seafarer's Identity Document
You do not need a visa if you hold a Seafarer's Identity Document that has been issued by a country that has ratified the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Conventions on Seafarers' Identity Documents (C108 & C185).
Check your Seafarers' Identity Document
Apply for a Join Ship Visa
You must apply for a short stay Join Ship Visa if your Seafarer's Identity Document is issued by a country that has not ratified the above conventions.
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 must prove that your ship has arrived in Ireland or that it will arrive in the next 24 hours.
You must also provide your passport and Seafarer's Identity Document (and Join Ship Visa, if applicable).
If you cannot satisfy the immigration officer, you will not be allowed into Ireland.
After you enter
Join ship
After you enter the country, you must join your ship within 24 hours.
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 details of your ship.
How to apply
You must apply from your home country or a country where you are a legal resident:
- Read detailed instructions for the Join Ship Visa
- Submit your visa application online
- Send your passport and other documents for processing
You will be given instructions where to send your documents when you apply online.
Visa costs
- €60 : Short Stay 'C' Visa
- €100 : Multiple Entry Visa
- Some applicants do not pay visa fees
Extra charges may apply for some applications, eg consular fees.
Contact
If you have questions, contact us.
Updated: 20 January 2017
If you find a problem with this page, email inispagemaster@justice.ie