Irish visa resources
Who needs a visa to visit Ireland
Who needs a visa to visit Ireland — visa-required and visa-exempt nationals, the Common Travel Area with the UK, and the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme.
Important
Whether you need a visa to come to Ireland depends on your nationality. This page explains the general position in plain language, drawing on the official Immigration Service Delivery guidance; always confirm your own requirement on the official pages before you travel or apply.
Visa-required and visa-exempt nationals
Some nationalities need a visa to come to Ireland and others do not. The official guidance sets out which nationals are visa-required, and provides a tool to help you check the requirements for your own passport.
The Common Travel Area with the UK
Ireland and the UK share a Common Travel Area (CTA). British citizens do not need permission to travel to and live in Ireland under the CTA. Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area, so a Schengen visa does not cover travel to Ireland.
The Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme
Certain visa-required nationals who hold a valid UK visa may be able to travel on to Ireland under the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme without a separate Irish visa. Check the official programme page to see whether you qualify.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-10. Information only — not legal advice.