Ireland Further Aligns Visa Regime with UK and Schengen Area

Recent changes to our national visa regime bring Ireland into closer alignment with the United Kingdom and the Schengen area. Our Business Immigration team examines the scope of the visa requirements introduced for three nationalities and how similar requirements for certain diplomatic passport holders have been removed.

Nationals of Dominica, Honduras and Vanuatu are now required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland. A transit visa will also be required, if intending to transit through Ireland en route to another destination.

Meanwhile, the requirement for a visa has been lifted for diplomatic passport holders of Indonesia, Qatar, Kuwait, Montenegro, Moldova, Türkiye, Colombia, Peru and Georgia.

The introduction of a visa requirement for nationals of Honduras, Dominica and Vanuatu is part of an ongoing process to bring Ireland into closer alignment with the visa regime in the United Kingdom and the Schengen area. This aspiration also saw the introduction of a visa requirement for Bolivian nationals in September 2023 and for Convention Travel Document holders in July 2022.

In addition to diplomatic passport holders of Indonesia, Qatar, Kuwait, Montenegro, Moldova, Türkiye, Colombia, Peru and Georgia no longer requiring a visa to enter Ireland, the requirement has been lifted for holders of an official passport, service passport or public affairs passport when accompanying a Minister of the Government on an official visit to the State. Reciprocal arrangements apply for Irish diplomats travelling to these countries.

Comment

It is considered that the lifting of the visa requirement for diplomatic passport holders and officials accompanying visiting Ministers will enhance the close ties in the political, economic and cultural spheres and continue to develop a close relationship with those countries.

Irish visa requirements are kept under ongoing review, having regard to the need to ensure that effective immigration controls are in place whilst also facilitating those who wish to travel to Ireland for the purposes of a visit, to work, to study or to join family members.

Transitional arrangements have been put in place for applicants who have existing arrangements to travel to the State. For any related queries, please contact a member of our Business Immigration team.

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other advice.