Aug 6, 2011
As part of the Irish Government’s commitment to tourism and visitor growth from overseas, a series of initiatives to encourage tourism have recently been announced. A pilot programme will run from July 2011 to October 2012 providing a short-stay visa waiver programme which covers visits to the Republic of Ireland by the holders of valid UK visas.
The visa waiver scheme comes into effect from 1st July 2011.
Holders of UK visas will have them recognised for short stay visits to Ireland.
This is expected to mainly cover Business and Tourist visitors.
There is an immediate potential saving of €60 per visitor, e.g. €240 for a family of four.
Applies to all holders of UK visas from designated countries who have cleared UK immigration first of all. It will not apply to holders of a UK transit visa.
Immigration will stamp passport with an entry stamp and will give a date until which the visitor is allowed to stay based on the information the visitor gives in relation to their plans. The maximum stay at any one time is 90 days.
There is no limit to the number of times an individual can visit as long as it is within the validity of their UK visa.
Airlines will be briefed as part of the process so they know that a visa for Ireland is not required.
If a visitor enters from Northern Ireland and is not subject to border control, the same rules apply as to other visa-not-required visitors.There is no need to seek out an immigration officer if the stay is less than 30 days for tourists and less than 7 days for business visitors. Thereafter they should report to the immigration authorities to notify them of the presence.