Transit Visa At Dublin Airport: What You Need To Know

Whether or not a transit visa is required for a stopover at Dublin Airport depends on a number of factors, including the passenger's nationality, the duration of the layover, and whether they need to pass through border control or collect their baggage. Citizens of certain countries, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are required to apply for an Irish Transit Visa, while citizens of other countries, such as Ethiopia, are exempt from this requirement when travelling to the US or Canada. In general, passengers who do not require a transit visa are those who are not required to pass through border control and can remain airside while waiting for their connecting flight.

Transit without a visa

If you are a citizen of a country that does not require a visa to enter Ireland, you can transit through an Irish airport without a visa as long as you do not need to pass through Border Control. However, if you are required to pass through Border Control, you will need adequate permission or an Irish entry visa.

Passengers transiting through Dublin Airport will have to enter Ireland to catch their connecting flight unless their connecting flight is scheduled between 4 am and 4 pm in Terminal 2. In this case, a transit visa is not required.

It is important to note that collecting baggage typically implies that you have to go through immigration, which would require a short-stay visa. Additionally, if you are transiting overnight, you will need to pass through Border Control as all Irish airports close during the night.

If you are a citizen of Ethiopia travelling from Ethiopia to the United States or Canada via Ireland, you do not need an Irish transit visa as long as you have permission to travel to the US or Canada. Similarly, you will not need a transit visa when travelling from the US or Canada back to Ethiopia via Ireland, provided you have been legally in the US or Canada at the time of your departure.

When determining whether you need a transit visa, it is recommended to check with your airline to find out if you will need to pass through Border Control. If you do, ensure that you have the necessary documentation, such as a short-stay visa, to avoid any issues during your transit.

Border control

Visa Requirements:

Firstly, it is important to determine whether you need a transit visa for your journey through Dublin Airport. The requirement for a transit visa depends on your nationality and your final destination. Nationals from specific countries, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, must obtain a transit visa if they plan to pass through an Irish airport or seaport en route to another country. However, citizens from countries that do not require a transit visa can transit through an Irish airport without one, as long as they do not need to pass through border control.

When transiting through Dublin Airport, you may need to pass through border control in certain situations. According to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), if your connecting flight is scheduled between 4 am and 4 pm in Terminal 2, you can remain in the transit area without passing through border control. In all other cases, you will need to go through border control and present your travel documents to an immigration officer. This typically applies if you need to leave the terminal to transfer to another terminal, collect or check-in luggage, or stay overnight due to the airport's closure during nighttime.

Documentation and Processing:

If you require a transit visa, you must submit several supporting documents, including a completed and signed application form, proof of visa fee payment, passport photographs, your original passport, copies of previous passports, proof of legal residence, visa for your final destination, and a detailed travel itinerary. The processing time for a transit visa application is approximately 8 weeks, and it may take longer during peak travel seasons or if there are missing or incorrect documents.

Special Cases:

It is important to note that some countries, such as Ethiopia, have specific agreements with Ireland. For example, Ethiopian citizens travelling from Ethiopia to the United States or Canada via Ireland do not need an Irish transit visa if they have a valid visa for their final destination. However, they must still pass through border control and present the necessary documentation.

In summary, when travelling through Dublin Airport, it is crucial to understand the visa requirements for your nationality and the procedures for border control. By following the guidelines provided, you can ensure a seamless transit experience during your journey.

Visa-required countries

Nationals from certain countries must apply for an Irish Transit Visa if they want to pass through an Irish airport or seaport on their way to another destination. This includes citizens from countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Albania, Cuba, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe. However, there are some exceptions and special cases to consider.

For instance, citizens of Ethiopia travelling directly from Ethiopia to the United States or Canada via Ireland do not require an Irish Transit Visa. Similarly, those travelling from the United States or Canada back to Ethiopia via Ireland are exempt from the transit visa requirement, provided they had legal status in the US or Canada at the time of their departure. Additionally, Indian citizens with a US visa have reported being able to transit through Dublin Airport without a transit visa.

It is important to note that even if a transit visa is not required, all passengers intending to transit through Ireland, regardless of their nationality, must present themselves to an immigration officer and may be required to pass through border control. This typically occurs when leaving the terminal, collecting or checking in baggage, or transiting overnight, as all Irish airports close at night. In such cases, individuals from visa-required countries will need an appropriate Irish entry visa.

To avoid any issues during travel, it is recommended that passengers check the specific requirements for their country of origin and consult with their airline to determine if they will need to pass through border control.

Visa application process

Whether you need a transit visa to pass through Dublin Airport depends on your nationality and if you need to pass through border control. Citizens from most countries can transit through an Irish airport without a visa as long as they are not required to pass through border control. However, if you are from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you will need to apply for a transit visa. You do not need an Irish transit visa if you are an Ethiopian citizen travelling to the USA or Canada via Ireland, and you have a valid visa for those countries.

The visa application process for Ireland is done through the Irish Online Visa Application Facility (AVATS). Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for an Ireland Transit Visa:

Step 1: Submit the online application form

Complete the application form on the AVATS website. Answer all the questions on the form truthfully. Once you have submitted the form, you will receive a summary that includes information on the next steps of the application process.

Step 2: Pay the visa fees and provide biometrics

Pay the transit visa processing fee of €25 and attach proof of payment with your application. You may also need to provide biometric information, so be sure to contact your visa application centre for more information.

Step 3: Send your passport and other documents for processing

Submit your current passport and other supporting documents for processing. Your current passport must be valid for at least six months after you plan to depart from Ireland. You will also need to submit copies of any previous passports.

Other supporting documents include:

• Proof of legal residence in the country you are applying from (if you are not a citizen of that country)
• Visa for your final destination, if required
• Full travel itinerary and flight tickets or bookings showing arrival and departure dates
• Original refusal letter if you have ever been refused a visa by any country
• A letter of application providing details about your travel plans and any family members you have in Ireland or the EU
• Two passport-sized colour photographs that meet Ireland's photo requirements
• Proof of fee payment (where relevant)

Place all the documents in a large, strong envelope and submit them to the relevant office. The place to submit documents depends on your country and can be one of the following:

• The Dublin Visa Office
• An International Visa Application Agency
• An Irish Embassy or Consulate in your country

Step 4: Wait for processing

The processing time for an Ireland Transit Visa is generally about eight weeks after your documents are received. However, your application may take longer if documents are missing or need to be verified, or due to personal circumstances such as a criminal conviction.

Visa refusal

All passengers intending to transit through Ireland are advised to check if they require a transit visa. Nationals from certain countries have to apply for an Irish Transit Visa if they want to transit through an Irish airport or seaport en route to another destination. This includes citizens from the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, citizens from most countries can transit in an Irish airport or seaport without a visa, as long as they are not required to pass through Border Control.

If you are required to pass through Border Control, you will need an Irish entry visa (a short-stay "C" visa). This is because, when you pass through Border Control, you will no longer be transiting—it will be considered that you have entered the country.

If you are transiting through Dublin Airport, you will have to enter Ireland to catch your connecting flight unless:

• Your connecting flight is scheduled between 4 am and 4 pm
• Your connecting flight is in Terminal 2

If you are refused a visa, you will receive a 'letter of refusal' explaining why your application was not approved. Your passport or travel document and certain original documents will be returned to you by post or arranged for collection. You can appeal a negative visa decision at no cost. To do so, you must submit an appeal within 2 months of the date on your letter of refusal.

• False or misleading information: If you include false or misleading information or documents in your application, it may be refused. In some circumstances, you may be prevented from applying for an Irish visa for up to 5 years.
• Insufficient documentation: Your application may be refused if you do not submit the required documentation. It is your responsibility to satisfy the Visa Officer that your visa should be granted for the purpose you have indicated.
• Previous visa refusals: Your application for an Irish visa will be refused if you do not include information about past visa refusals.
• Criminal convictions: Your application may take longer to process if you have a criminal conviction.
• Missing documents: Your application may take longer if documents are missing or need to be verified.

Frequently asked questions