If you’re asking yourself “Do I need a visa for Ireland from the UK?”, then you may be pleased to know that you are not required to obtain a visa to gain entry to the country.
UK citizens do not need a visa or residency permit to visit, live, work or study in Ireland. Under the Common Travel Area (CTA), UK and Irish citizens can live and work freely in each other’s countries and travel freely between them. Both governments are committed to protecting the CTA, so this isn’t likely to change in the near future.
Read on to learn more useful travel requirements information if you are a citizen of the UK visiting Ireland!
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What Is the Ireland Visa Waiver Programme?
Certain nationalities – among them Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Canada – qualify for visa exemption to Ireland when you hold a valid passport. This means that there is no need to request an eVisa in advance or purchase a Visa Upon Arrival (VoA) at the airport.
The visa waiver also applies to citizens of the UK, but unlike the countries listed above, there is no restriction on how many days or months you can stay. UK nationals have the right to move around freely and with any purpose including for tourism, business, work, study or residency.
Requirements for a Visa for Ireland From the UK
A travel permit is waived for British nationals – that is, citizens from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies. British nationals have the right to move freely and reside in this country for an unlimited length of time for work or study, in addition to travel for tourism, business or medical purposes.
As mentioned previously, Ireland, along with Great Britain, is a member of the Common Travel Area (CTA). British nationals travelling from Great Britain don’t need a passport to visit. There are no passport controls in operation for Irish and UK citizens travelling between the 2 countries.
Importantly, although you do not need to have a passport to enter the country, you may be asked by an immigration officer to prove that you are a citizen of Ireland or Great Britain, so it’s advised that you carry a passport with you.
Before travelling, check with your carrier about their ID requirements, as most airlines and other transport providers won’t carry passengers unless they’ve seen satisfactory photographic ID.
If you’re using a passport to enter the country, it should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. You don’t need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.
What Is the Ireland Visa Fee From the UK?
For UK travellers, there are no direct costs associated with entry into the country, because you are not required to obtain a visa prior to travel. Citizens of select countries including Great Britain are visa-exempt.
Travelling to Ireland as a UK National
This island nation on the westernmost edge of Europe earned its nickname ‘the Emerald Isle’ after becoming known for its wide expanses of lush, green fields. Whether you’re planning on visiting Dublin, Sligo and Galway, or the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, the country is brimming with beautiful places to explore.
Getting to the island nation from Great Britain is a relatively easy and quick process. Direct flights from most airports in Great Britain will take you to one of the country’s 7 airports. The largest and busiest airport is based in Dublin.
There are several ferry options for travelling between Great Britain and Ireland, with this proving to be a popular option for those wishing to travel here. You can choose a fast ferry or slow ferry, travel by foot or as a car passenger to Dublin, Cork and Rosslare.
About the Chief British Embassy in Ireland
The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Dublin is the chief diplomatic mission of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Embassy is located on Merrion Road in the Ballsbridge area of the city. It’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The embassy’s full address is: 29 Merrion Rd, Dublin 4, D04 P272.
The British Embassy in Dublin provides services to British nationals living in and visiting the island nation. The embassy deals with services ranging from visa and passport enquiries to consular enquiries, including your rights after the country’s exit from the EU.
Visa to Ireland From the UK FAQs
We hope you’ve found our article helpful so far! Below you will find answers to some common FAQs.
Can I Travel to Ireland With a UK Tier 2 Visa?
With a Tier 2 ICT, which is a UK visa, you can travel only in the UK, which includes England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Can All UK Nationals Travel to Ireland?
Yes, for any purpose, travelling here is usually a straightforward process. Residents of Great Britain have the right to move around freely and are permitted to stay unrestricted within the country.
Is It Safe for UK Citizens to Travel to Ireland?
Yes, it is safe for citizens of this country to visit. Around 3 million British nationals visit each year. Most visits are trouble free.
Although you should remain vigilant as you would when travelling anywhere, and be mindful of any changes to government guidelines, visiting the country is a straightforward and enjoyable experience for most travellers from Great Britain.
What Do I Need to Know Before Travelling From the UK?
The main currency used here is the Euro (EUR). Notes are 5 EUR, 10 EUR, 20 EUR, 50 EUR, 100 EUR, 200 EUR and 500 EUR. Coins are 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, 1 EUR and 2 EUR.
Typically, most places you visit will be able to take your credit or debit cards, so you may find it useful not to take much cash. However, if you are visiting rural communities, it’s wise to have some spare cash to pay for goods where cards are not accepted.
More Information on Visiting Ireland
For more information about travelling to this country, check our Visit Ireland page. If you’re a non-UK national travelling to the Emerald Isle, go to our Irish visas page to learn about the travel documentation you’ll require to enter.