Please be advised that Re-entry Visas for children departing the State and returning within a short term basis
remain suspended until further notice. Children must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian who
have an in date permission to reside in the State. Please visit the following page for further information.
In This Section
Introduction
For information on whether a child under 16 (a minor) requires a re-entry visa if they plan to leave Ireland and return within a short period of time, please read below.
You will also find information on how to apply and what documents are required for your application.
Who needs a re-entry visa?
A minor needs a re-entry visa to leave Ireland for a short period (usually up to 90 days) and then return again, for example, to go on holiday with their parents.
If a minor leaves without a re-entry visa or does not return within the period shown on the visa, the minor’s parent or guardian must apply for a new long stay or short stay visa for them to come back to Ireland.
Irish residence permit holder
A minor who holds an Irish residence permit, the IRP or GNIB card, does not need a re-entry visa. IRP and GNIB cards are issued to minors who are resident in Ireland on the basis of EU Treaty Rights and have an EU FAM 4 permission.
Other minors are not registered and do not receive an Irish residence permit.
Read the general conditions for all visas.
Who can apply
A minor cannot apply for a re-entry visa by themselves. The application must be made by their parent or guardian.
You can apply for a re-entry visa for your minor child if they:
Types of re-entry visa
There are 2 types of re-entry visa. Select the one you want on your application form when you apply:
- Single journey visa allows a minor to leave and return to Ireland on one occasion during the period shown on the visa, typically within a 90 day period
- Multiple journey visa allows a minor to leave for short journeys and return to Ireland on more than one occasion during the period shown on the visa. All minors under 16 years will get a multiple visa in line with their parent or guardian’s registration certificate to a maximum of one year. Minors whose parents or guardians are EEA nationals will be granted a re-entry visa for a maximum of two years.
How to apply
To apply for a re-entry visa:
- Download and complete the application form
- Prepare the application documents
- Submit the visa application by registered post.
Application form and documents
Please submit everything listed below:
1. Application form
Download and complete the re-entry visa application form on behalf of the minor.
2. Passport
Include the minor’s current passport with your application.
3. Birth certificate
Include the minor’s original birth certificate with your application. Do not submit a photocopy.
If it is not in the English or Irish language, include an original certified translation (into English or Irish) of the birth certificate. Find out how to make a certified translation.
Do not submit photocopies.
4. Proof of parent or guardian’s identity
If you are a non-EEA national parent or guardian of the minor, include the current registration certificate (the Irish Residence Permit or GNIB card) for one of the minor’s parents with the application. Do not submit a photocopy.
If you are an EEA national, include the original or a photocopy of a government issued photo ID, for example a driving licence, passport or a national identity card.
5. Proof of guardianship arrangement
If you are the minor’s guardian, include proof of this in the form of a guardianship arrangement from the minor’s parents or a State authority.
Include an original certified translation (into English or Irish) if it is not in the English or Irish language.
6. Proof that the minor lives in Ireland
Your minor’s school or doctor must sign the application form and state that the minor is resident in Ireland.
7. Photos
Include 2 passport-sized colour photos of the minor.
The photos must meet all the following rules for visa photographs.
Both passport photos must be signed and stamped on the back with the official seal of the minor’s school or the minor’s doctor.
Submit the application
When ready, put all the items listed above into an envelope. We recommend that you use a strong padded envelope to prevent damage and help stop items being lost.
If you are making applications for more than one minor, submit them together. To do so:
Be careful to check that everything required is included.
You must submit your application by registered post at a post office. Do not send your application by ordinary post. We will return it to you without processing.
Registered post is more secure than ordinary post. You can also track your package online.
Application address
Re-entry Visa Processing Office
Immigration Service Delivery
Department of Justice
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2 D02 XK70
Ireland
When to apply
It takes 15-20 working days to process a re-entry visa application submitted by post.
When deciding when to apply for your minor, you should also include extra time for weekends, public holidays and postage to-and-from the Re-entry Visa Processing Office.
In the case of an emergency, such as a family illness, you can email the re-entry visa office and request urgent processing. You must provide proof of the emergency when making your request, by email to: [email protected]
Return address
After processing, we will return your documents (and visa, if approved) to you by registered post.
To request a different return address, type or write a note with the new address and include it with your application. We cannot accept a request for a new return address after you submit your application.
There will be no public office facility for the processing of re-entry visas from 13 May 2019.
Visa decisions
Visa decisions are made in the order applications are received.
For applications received through the postal system, an update on applications is published every weekday.
If the application is approved
An Irish visa will be placed into a blank page of the minor’s passport.
For applications received through the postal system, we will return your passport, visa and documents to you by registered post. (If you requested a different return address, we will send them there.)
Please check the visa when you receive it to make sure the details are correct, including the name, date of birth, dates of visa validity, etc. If not, contact us.
If the application is refused
For applications received through the postal system, we will return your passport and documents to you by registered post. We will also include a ‘letter of refusal’ that explains why your application was refused. In both cases, you may wish to address the reason(s) for the refusal and (if possible) apply again.
Fees
Re-entry visas for minors under 16 are provided free of charge.