Preclearance and entry visas fees

The fees for visas are:

The visa fee is an administration fee which covers the cost of processing your application. This fee cannot be refunded if your application is refused or withdrawn.

You may be required to pay additional charges for example – relating to the submission of your documents. The website of the Visa Office/Embassy/ Consulate will have details about additional charges and any local payment options.

The application summary form (which is produced when you complete your online application on AVATS will give you information on where to contact about paying the application fee.

Information on how to pay the visa fee for applications directed to the Visa Office – Dublin, is available.

Some applicants are exempt from the requirement to pay the visa fee. Check below to see if the visa fee does not apply to you.

Family members of Irish Citizens who are exempt from visa fees (on production of the required documents)

Beneficiaries of Directive 2004/38/EC (Free Movement Directive) i.e. ‘qualifying family members’ of EU/EEA /Swiss Citizens are exempt from visa fees.

Other family members – i.e. Permitted Family Members are not fee exempt, regardless of whether or not they are accompanying, or joining, their EU family member under the Directive, unless they hold a Card issued under Articles 5(2) or 10(1) of the Directive, which permits them to avail of free movement without the requirement for a visa. However, where the visa application from a ‘permitted family member’ is approved, the visa fee will be refunded.

Under Article 3.1 of the Directive, a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen is only deemed to be a beneficiary if they are either accompanying their EU/EEA/Swiss family member to Ireland, or joining them in Ireland in the event they are already there. To avail of a fee exemption under this category, evidence must be supplied with your application to confirm you are a beneficiary. Such evidence can be in the form of a signed letter from the EU/EEA/Swiss family member, confirming the travel plan and/or confirmed travel itineraries/ flight details, alongside a copy of their passport and evidence of your relationship.

Nationals of the countries included in the Irish Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme who are long term legal residents in the UK.

All references to ‘spouse’ also apply to a civil partner i.e. a person who has contracted a registered partnership, or is a party to a class of legal relationship specified in an order under section 5 of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 as entitled to be recognised as a civil partnership.