Introduction

Providing you are in possession of your valid, in-date Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, if you travel outside Ireland, you will not require any type of re-entry visa to return to Ireland.

Despite re-entry visas not being required, in certain urgent, emergency or extenuating circumstances, the provision of a re-entry visa can be considered.

A re-entry visa that is obtained before leaving Ireland, enables a visa-required national who is legally residing in Ireland, but not currently in possession of their valid and in-date Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card to return to Ireland following travel.

Method of Applying for a Re-Entry Visa

To apply for a re-entry visa, please log-in to the Customer Service Portal and follow the instructions to correctly categorise and submit a query to request the type of re-entry visa that you require.

  • All requests will be considered from the details provided.
  • To support your request, please include proof of outbound and return flight tickets, including details of connecting flights for your planned upcoming travel.
  • All requests should be submitted as early as possible before your planned travel to avoid any potential disruption to your travel plans.
  • If deemed applicable, you will be allocated an appointment to attend in-person to obtain a re-entry visa in our Dublin Registration Office.

Please note that this is the only method that can be used to request a re-entry visa.

  • Appointments for re-entry visas are not bookable on the online registration appointment booking platform (these appointment slots are specifically for persons registering an immigration permission for the first time).

  • Walk-ins will not be facilitated in the Registration Office. If you do not have a confirmed appointment, you will not be permitted entry.

  • Postal applications for re-entry visas are not accepted.

      • Unless you are specifically directed to do so by an Immigration/Registration Officer, you should never send your passport by post to the Registration Office.

Emergency Re-Entry Visas for Adults (aged 16 years and over)

Please note that in order to obtain an emergency re-entry visa, you must be in-permission through to the return date of your planned travel. If you permission is expired or expires before your return date, you cannot be provided with a re-entry visa.

Typical reasons why an IRP card holder may not be in possession of their IRP card include:

  • Their IRP card has been lost or stolen prior to travel.
  • Their IRP card has not yet been received by post following approval/processing or it contains a significant error.

Application for Re-Entry Visas for Minors (aged under 16 years)

Please be aware of the current suspension of re-entry visas for under 16s which removes the requirement for children under 16 years of age to hold a re-entry visa to return to Ireland if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian who holds an in date permission to reside in the State.

Applicants who have written to us concerning their travel plans are always advised to check with their Airline provider prior to booking or making travel plans to ensure that they are willing to accept children without re-entry visas on board their aircraft.

Individuals, including those who have previously experienced challenges with connecting flights, are welcome to enquire about this by submitting a query through the above method.

The applicant should provide any relevant detail or extenuating circumstance experienced previously. All such requests are considered on a case by case basis. Please be aware that there is no guarantee that a request will be facilitated.

Please see the guidelines to travelling with children for further practical information which you may find useful when travelling to and from Ireland with children in your care.

Re-Entry Visas for Stamp 6 Permission (Without Condition) Holders

To obtain a re-entry visa as a Stamp 6 permission (without condition) holder, please submit a query through the above method. (Note: To obtain this, you must have a valid “without condition” stamp in your passport).

School Pupil Visa Waivers

Information on School Pupil Visa Waivers and if their requirements can be found here.

If required, please contact us via the Customer Service Portal and follow the instructions to correctly categorise and submit a query to apply for a School Pupil Visa Waiver.

This page was last updated on September 26, 2025