Ireland Visa RequirementsFor China passport holders
Chinese ordinary passport holders normally need an Irish short-stay visa. The standard fee is EUR 60 for single entry or EUR 100 for multiple entry, plus applicable service charges. Qualifying UK visa schemes can provide an exception.
China passport holders require a visa to enter Ireland.
Complete AVATS, print and sign the application summary, and submit your passport and supporting documents in person through the VFS centre specified for your residence. AVATS is the first step, not a complete paperless visa application. Provide biometrics where required.
Use the current China visit checklist for passport, photographs, application letter, accommodation and itinerary, financial evidence, employment or study evidence, and any host documents. The passport should be valid for at least six months after departure from Ireland. Travel medical insurance is required for the visit; do not substitute the Schengen checklist. Beijing says flight bookings are not required and advises against buying tickets before issuance.
The standard fee is EUR 60 single-entry or EUR 100 multiple-entry, with applicable VFS and document charges. Beijing’s current Visit target is 20 working days from receipt at the embassy, excluding VFS appointments and document transit. It recommends applying at least 8-10 weeks before travel.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
At embassy's discretion
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Appointment
Per embassy instructions if approved
Biometrics
Required at first application
Entry Conditions
Passport valid at least six months after planned departure from Ireland, with the required visa or qualifying exemption and evidence supporting the visit. Immigration grants up to 90 days, potentially less.
Required Documents
Passport and application
Passport valid at least six months after planned Ireland departure, signed AVATS summary and photographs meeting the current China checklist.
Visit and financial evidence
Provide the application letter, accommodation and itinerary, financial and employment or study evidence, and host documents where applicable. Beijing does not require flight bookings.
Current Travel Situation
China to Ireland: What You Need to Know
Ireland is outside Schengen, so a Schengen visa alone does not permit entry. Apply for the Irish category matching your purpose unless you meet an applicable exemption. A short-stay visa permits travel to seek entry; Immigration decides the stay, up to 90 days.
The British Irish Visa Scheme is available to eligible Chinese nationals living in China, including Hong Kong and Macao, when applying. The visa must be endorsed BIVS, and the traveller must first enter the country that issued it. The separate Short-Stay Visa Waiver Programme may cover certain visitors who have already entered the UK on an eligible short-stay visa. Read each scheme’s current conditions before relying on it.
Practical Tips
Ireland uses the euro (EUR); Northern Ireland uses pound sterling (GBP) and follows UK entry rules. Confirm permission for both jurisdictions before an itinerary crossing the land border. A lack of routine border checks does not remove those requirements. Check any reporting requirements if entering Ireland from Northern Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Schengen visa allow entry to Ireland?
No. Ireland is outside Schengen. Chinese visitors normally need an Irish short-stay visa, unless a qualifying UK visa scheme or another exemption applies. The standard single-entry Irish application fee is EUR 60, plus applicable service charges.
How long does Irish visa processing take for Chinese applicants?
Beijing publishes a target of 20 working days for Visit applications, measured from embassy receipt to decision. VFS appointment waiting time and document transit are additional. The embassy recommends applying at least 8-10 weeks before travel; incomplete or complex cases can take longer.
Can I visit both Ireland and Northern Ireland on an Irish visa?
Only if you meet UK entry requirements. An eligible Irish visa endorsed BIVS can permit a short UK visit after first entering Ireland, subject to the scheme’s conditions. Without such permission, obtain the required UK visa. The Common Travel Area does not give Chinese visitors unrestricted entry rights.
What are the top attractions in Ireland for Chinese tourists?
The Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Killarney National Park, Blarney Castle, Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland, Dublin's Trinity College and Guinness Storehouse, and the Rock of Cashel are top highlights. The Wild Atlantic Way is a spectacular coastal driving route along the west coast. Ireland's landscapes are some of the most dramatic in Europe.