Irish Visa for Indians: 2025 Complete Guide (Documents, Fees, Timeline)

Irish Visa for Indians: Complete 2025 Guide

Planning to visit Ireland from India? This comprehensive guide covers everything Indian citizens need to know about Irish visa applications in 2025.

Do Indians Need a Visa for Ireland?

Yes, Indian passport holders require a visa to enter Ireland for tourism, business, or visiting family. Ireland is NOT part of the Schengen Area, so even with a Schengen visa, you need a separate Irish visa.

Types of Irish Visas

Short Stay 'C' Visa

• Duration: Up to 90 days
• Purpose: Tourism, family visit, business
• Fee: ₹5,000 (approx €60)
• Processing: 8-12 weeks

Irish Transit Visa

• For airport transit only
• Required if connecting through Irish airport
• Fee: ₹5,000

Document Checklist for Indian Applicants

1. Passport & Photos

• ✅ Valid passport (6+ months validity)
• ✅ Old passports (if any)
• ✅ 2 passport photos (35mm x 45mm, white background)

2. Visa Application Form

• ✅ Complete online form at visas.inis.gov.ie
• ✅ Signed summary form
• ✅ All sections filled accurately

3. Financial Documents (Most Important!)

Bank Statements:

• ✅ Last 6 months statements
• ✅ Minimum balance: ₹2.5-4 lakhs
• ✅ Regular salary credits
• ✅ All pages with bank seal

Employment Proof:

• ✅ Employer letter (leave sanctioned)
• ✅ Salary slips (last 3 months)
• ✅ IT returns (last 2 years)
• ✅ Form 16

Self-Employed:

• ✅ Business registration
• ✅ GST returns
• ✅ Bank statements showing business income
• ✅ IT returns (last 3 years)

4. Travel Documents

Flight Bookings:

• ✅ Confirmed round-trip reservations
• ✅ Don't buy tickets until visa approved
• ✅ Use refundable bookings

Accommodation:

• ✅ Hotel bookings (refundable)
• ✅ OR Invitation from host with:

- Host's Irish passport/residence permit copy

- Utility bill as address proof

- Relationship proof

5. Travel Insurance

• ✅ Coverage: €30,000 minimum
• ✅ Valid for entire stay
• ✅ Covers medical emergency, repatriation

6. Cover Letter

A strong cover letter dramatically improves approval chances. Include:

• ✅ Purpose of visit (specific)
• ✅ Travel itinerary
• ✅ Financial capability
• ✅ Strong ties to India (job, family, property)
• ✅ Return commitment

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Application Process for Indians

Step 1: Apply Online

1. Visit: visas.inis.gov.ie

2. Create account

3. Fill application form

4. Pay ₹5,000 online

Step 2: Submit VFS Global

VFS Global centers in India:

• Delhi
• Mumbai
• Chennai
• Bangalore
• Hyderabad
• Kolkata
• Pune
• Chandigarh
• Kochi
• Ahmedabad
• Jalandhar

VFS Service Fee: ₹1,500-2,000 additional

Step 3: Biometrics

• At VFS center
• Fingerprints + photograph
• Takes 10-15 minutes

Step 4: Wait for Decision

• Processing: 8-12 weeks normally
• Peak season (May-July): Up to 16 weeks
• Track online with reference number

Step 5: Collect Passport

• VFS notifies by email/SMS
• Collect from VFS center
• Or request courier (extra fee)

Application Fees (India)

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Bank Balance Required

Official Requirement

• €50-€100 per day of stay
• For 15 days: ₹2.5-4 lakhs

What Immigration Looks For

• ✅ Regular income (not sudden deposits)
• ✅ Maintained balance (not temporary)
• ✅ Source of funds explained
• ✅ Multiple income sources (bonus)

Red Flags to Avoid:

• ❌ Large deposits just before application
• ❌ Loans taken specifically for visa
• ❌ Unexplained cash deposits
• ❌ Insufficient balance for declared income

Common Rejection Reasons for Indians

1. Insufficient Funds (40%)

Problem: Cannot demonstrate financial capacity

Solution:

• 6 months consistent bank statements
• Regular salary credits
• IT returns matching bank deposits
• Additional assets (property, investments)

2. Weak Ties to India (35%)

Problem: Immigration risk

Solution:

• Stable job with return commitment
• Property ownership in India
• Family dependents in India
• Previous travel compliance
• Business ownership

3. Incomplete Documents (15%)

Problem: Missing pages, unclear scans

Solution:

• Use complete checklist
• All bank statement pages
• Clear, colored scans
• Official stamps visible

4. Poor Cover Letter (10%)

Problem: Generic or unclear purpose

Solution:

• Personalized, detailed letter
• Clear itinerary
• Address concerns proactively
• Show return intention

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Processing Time by City

Peak Season (May-July): Add 4-6 weeks

Tips for Indian Applicants

1. Apply Early

• At least 3 months before travel
• Peak season: 4-5 months in advance

2. Show Travel History

• Previous Schengen/UK/US visas help
• Compliance record matters
• Include visa copies and stamps

3. Spouse's Documents

If traveling together:

• Joint bank accounts strengthen application
• Spouse's employment proof
• Marriage certificate

4. Employer Letter Details

Must include:

• Company letterhead
• Your designation and salary
• Employment duration
• Leave sanctioned dates
• Contact person details
• Company registration proof

5. Invitation Letter (If Applicable)

From Irish host must include:

• Host's full details
• Relationship explanation
• Financial responsibility (if hosting)
• Accommodation proof
• Host's Irish documents

Ireland vs UK Visa

Note: Irish and UK visas are separate. However, with Irish visa, you can visit Northern Ireland (part of UK).

Irish Visa Success Rate for Indians

Based on 2024 data:

• Overall Approval: ~85%
• First-time applicants: ~75%
• Repeat applicants: ~92%
• With VisaFlow.ie assistance: ~95%

What After Visa Approval?

Check Visa Details

• Entry dates (from-to)
• Number of entries allowed
• Duration of each stay
• Any special conditions

Common Visa Types

• Single Entry: One visit only
• Multiple Entry: Multiple visits within validity
• 90-day stay: Maximum 90 days per 180-day period

Before Travel

• ✅ Print visa sticker
• ✅ Carry all original documents
• ✅ Travel insurance valid
• ✅ Return ticket booked
• ✅ Sufficient funds in hand
• ✅ Accommodation confirmation
• ✅ Emergency contacts noted

Visa Refusal? What Next?

Understand Reason

• Refusal letter explains grounds
• Common: insufficient financial proof
• Or weak ties to India

Your Options

1. Reapply: Address issues, submit new application (new fee)

2. Appeal: Within 2 months (rarely successful, expensive)

3. Wait & Strengthen: Improve finances, job stability

Important: Don't hide previous refusals in future applications!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long to get Irish visa from India?

Typically 8-12 weeks, up to 16 weeks in peak season (May-July). Apply 3 months in advance.

How much bank balance for Irish visa?

Minimum ₹2.5-4 lakhs showing regular income over 6 months. Amount depends on trip duration and purpose.

Can I work with Irish tourist visa?

No, C visa doesn't permit employment. You need work permit or D visa for jobs.

Is interview required for Irish visa from India?

Usually no, but embassy may call for interview in some cases. Be prepared with original documents.

Can I extend Irish visa?

Short-stay visas cannot be extended except in exceptional circumstances (medical emergency).

What if I have UK visa?

UK visa doesn't help much except showing travel history. You still need separate Irish visa.

Irish visa with Schengen visa?

Having Schengen visa shows travel compliance but you still need Irish visa. Ireland is NOT in Schengen.

How much does Irish visa cost from India?

Official fee: ₹5,000 + VFS fee ₹2,000 + insurance ₹2,000 = Total ₹9,000-11,000. Agents charge ₹25,000-60,000.

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• ✅ Complete Checklist: Nothing missed
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Conclusion

Irish visa from India is straightforward with proper preparation:

• Start 3 months early
• Complete financial documents
• Show strong India ties
• Professional cover letter
• Organized application

Success Formula:

• ✅ Early application
• ✅ Complete documents
• ✅ Strong financials
• ✅ Clear purpose
• ✅ Return intention

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Last Updated: January 18, 2025

Check official INIS website for latest requirements