Ireland Visa RequirementsFor Russia passport holders
Russian citizens require an Irish short-stay visa to enter Ireland. Because Ireland is not part of the Schengen area, it operates its own independent visa system. The November 2025 EU rule restricting Russians to single-entry Schengen visas does not apply to Ireland, and multiple-entry Irish visas remain available for eligible applicants.
Russia passport holders require a visa to enter Ireland.
Applications for Irish visas from Russia are submitted through VFS Global in Moscow. VFS serves as the collection agent on behalf of the Embassy of Ireland in Moscow.
There is currently one VFS centre for Irish visas in Russia, located in Moscow at Kashirskoe shosse, bld 3, korp. 2, str. 4. Applicants from outside Moscow should check the VFS Global Ireland Russia website for the current submission procedure; options may include travel to Moscow or use of a specified courier or postal service. Confirm directly with VFS before sending documents.
- Single-journey visa: €60
- Multiple-journey visa: €100
- VFS service charge: approximately €43.80 (VAT included)
- All fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome
Fees:
Application form: Complete the online Irish visa application form through the AVATS system at irishimmigration.ie. You must do this before submitting to VFS Global; VFS only accepts applications where the AVATS form has been completed first. Print, sign, and date the completed form summary.
Documents require notarised English translation. All supporting documents not in English (bank statements, employment letters, property documents) must be accompanied by a certified translation. This is a firm requirement and incomplete translations are a common cause of delay or refusal.
Note on UK visas: A valid UK visa does not allow entry to Ireland under the Common Travel Area arrangements for Russian citizens. Russia is not included in Ireland's Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme or the British-Irish Visa Scheme. A separate Irish visa is required regardless of UK visa status.
Previous visa refusals must be declared. The Irish visa application form asks whether you have ever been refused a visa by any country. You must answer honestly. Failure to disclose previous refusals is considered deception and will result in automatic refusal plus a possible multi-year application ban.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Allowed
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
Valid passport
International passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended return date from Ireland, with at least 2 blank pages. Ireland has no announced biometric passport requirement for Russian citizens.
Completed Irish visa application form
Complete the online application form at irishimmigration.ie before submitting to VFS Global. Print, sign, and date the completed form. Choose the correct visa category (tourist/family/business).
Recent passport photos
Two recent colour photographs (35mm x 45mm, white or light background, taken within the last 6 months). Meet standard biometric photo requirements.
Bank statements (6 months)
Full bank statements covering the last 6 months showing account history, balance, and regular income. Statements must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation. A minimum balance is not published, but evidence of sufficient funds for your trip is expected.
Flight bookings
Confirmed or reserved round-trip flight itinerary showing entry to and exit from Ireland. A booking reference is generally sufficient; a fully paid ticket is not required at application stage.
Proof of accommodation in Ireland
Hotel booking confirmations or an invitation letter from a host in Ireland covering the full period of your stay. Dates must be consistent with your flight itinerary.
Travel medical insurance
Insurance policy covering the full duration of your stay in Ireland, including medical treatment and repatriation. Confirm the policy is valid in Ireland specifically (Schengen-only policies do not cover Ireland).
Proof of ties to Russia
Evidence demonstrating intent to return to Russia after your visit: employment contract and employer letter confirming approved leave, business registration (if self-employed), proof of property ownership, or family ties. All non-English documents require certified translation.
Certified English translations
All supporting documents not originally in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. This includes bank statements, employment letters, property documents, and any official certificates. This is a firm requirement; incomplete translations are a common reason for delays or refusals.
VFS service fee payment
The VFS service charge of approximately €43.80 (VAT included), paid separately from the Irish government visa fee. Non-refundable.
Required at Entry
Valid passport with Irish visa
Your passport containing the Irish visa sticker. Check the dates and number of entries before leaving VFS. Single-journey and multiple-journey visas are both available; confirm which type was issued.
Return or onward ticket
Confirmed booking showing your departure from Ireland before your permitted stay expires. Irish immigration officers will check this on arrival at Dublin, Cork, or Shannon airports.
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host contact details in Ireland. Border officers may ask where you are staying.
Proof of sufficient funds Recommended
Cash euros or evidence of available funds for your stay. Irish immigration officers may ask for proof of financial means. Russian-issued bank cards do not work in Ireland.
Travel insurance policy Recommended
Your insurance certificate. Confirm coverage is valid in Ireland specifically, as Schengen-only policies do not cover Ireland.
Current Travel Situation
Russia to Ireland: What You Need to Know
Russian citizens require an Irish Short Stay "C" Visa to enter Ireland. Ireland is not a member of the Schengen area and runs a completely independent national visa system. A Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland, and an Irish visa is not valid in Schengen countries.
This distinction has significant practical importance for Russian travelers:
The November 2025 EU single-entry restriction does not apply. The European Commission's November 7, 2025 decision requiring Schengen states to issue only single-entry visas to most Russian nationals applies exclusively to the Schengen area. Ireland was not bound by this decision. Irish consular officers continue to issue both single-journey (€60) and multiple-journey (€100) visas at their own discretion, based on the individual application.
No biometric passport requirement. Ireland is not part of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and has not announced a blanket refusal of non-biometric Russian passports for visa applications.
The Irish short-stay visa permits stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The visa does not allow you to travel to other EU or Schengen countries; Ireland is a separate travel zone.
Applications are processed through VFS Global in Moscow. Processing takes 5 working days to 6 weeks depending on complexity and volumes. Apply at least 8 weeks before your intended travel date.
How to Get There
No direct flights between Russia and Ireland have operated since the airspace closures of February 2022.
Via Istanbul (IST): Turkish Airlines is the most practical option, operating Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) to Istanbul Airport (IST) with connections to Dublin Airport (DUB). Russian citizens enter Turkey visa-free for up to 60 days. Total journey time Moscow to Dublin is approximately 8 to 11 hours.
Via Dubai (DXB): Emirates connects Russian cities to Dubai, with onward service to Dublin. Total journey time approximately 12 to 15 hours. UAE grants visa on arrival to Russian citizens.
Via Doha (DOH): Qatar Airways operates from Moscow to Doha with connections to Dublin.
Via Abu Dhabi (AUH): Etihad operates Moscow to Abu Dhabi with connections to Dublin.
Note: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) was historically a popular transit point for Moscow-Dublin routes. As a Schengen airport, Russians now face additional difficulties in transit there. Istanbul remains the most straightforward transit hub.
Money & Banking
Russian-issued bank cards do not work in Ireland. Ireland is an EU member state subject to all EU financial sanctions against Russia.
Visa/Mastercard Russian cards have been blocked since March 2022. Cards issued by Russian banks do not function at Irish ATMs or payment terminals.
Mir cards are no longer accepted in Ireland. The EU expanded its sanctions in January 2026 to prohibit EU entities from connecting to Russia's Mir payment system. Irish banks and payment processors are no longer permitted to accept Mir transactions.
UnionPay acceptance in Ireland is limited; most Irish terminals do not accept UnionPay, and Russian-issued UnionPay cards are in any case unreliable following sanctions on major Russian issuers in 2024.
Bring cash euros as your primary payment method. Ireland uses the euro (EUR), so no currency conversion is needed if you arrive with euros. The Russian customs limit for undeclared cash leaving Russia is $10,000 USD equivalent. Ireland and the EU allow non-residents to enter with up to €10,000 without declaration.
Cards from non-Russian banks (Georgian, Armenian, Kazakh, UAE, Turkish banks) work normally at Irish ATMs and payment terminals.
Practical Tips
Ireland is an English-speaking country with a well-developed tourism infrastructure, making it accessible for Russian travelers who have English proficiency.
Language: English is the primary language used throughout Ireland in daily life, business, and tourism. Irish (Gaelic) is also an official language and appears on signage, but English is universal.
Currency: The euro (EUR). Ireland is in the eurozone, so euros are the standard currency. Unlike Switzerland or the UK, no additional currency exchange step is needed for travelers arriving with euros.
Transport: Dublin has a city bus network (Dublin Bus) and Luas tram lines. The Dublin DART (commuter rail) connects the city centre to coastal suburbs. For travel outside Dublin, Bus Eireann coaches and Irish Rail connect major towns. Hiring a car is practical for rural areas; driving is on the left.
No biometric border registration: Ireland is not part of the EU Entry/Exit System. Border processing at Dublin, Cork, and Shannon airports involves standard manual passport control without fingerprint collection.
Visa for Ireland vs. Schengen: Your Irish visa does not permit travel to mainland Europe. If you intend to travel to France, Germany, or any other Schengen country on the same trip, you need both an Irish visa and a separate Schengen visa. Plan and apply for both if needed.
Safety: Ireland is a safe destination for visitors with low violent crime rates. Standard precautions apply in Dublin city centre at night.
Climate: Ireland has a mild, oceanic climate. Rainfall is frequent year-round. Temperatures are moderate: summers average 15 to 20°C, winters rarely drop below freezing. Bring a waterproof layer regardless of season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Russian citizens need a visa to visit Ireland?
Yes. Russian citizens require an Irish Short Stay "C" Visa to visit Ireland. Ireland is not part of the Schengen area and operates its own independent visa system. A Schengen visa (for France, Germany, or other EU Schengen countries) is not valid for entry to Ireland.
Does the November 2025 EU single-entry restriction apply to Ireland?
No. The European Commission's November 2025 decision restricting Russian nationals to single-entry Schengen visas applies only to the Schengen area. Ireland is not part of Schengen and was not bound by this decision. Ireland continues to issue both single-journey (€60) and multiple-journey (€100) visas at its own discretion. A strong application with good travel history may still result in a multiple-entry Irish visa.
How do I apply for an Irish visa from Russia?
Applications are submitted through VFS Global in Moscow. VFS processes Irish visa applications on behalf of the Embassy of Ireland in Moscow.
There is currently one VFS centre for Irish visas in Russia, located in Moscow. Applicants from other Russian cities typically submit documents by mail. Confirm submission options with VFS before applying.
Steps:
1. Complete the online application form at irishimmigration.ie
2. Gather all required documents, ensuring non-English documents have certified English translations
3. Submit documents to VFS Global (in person or by mail)
4. Pay the visa fee (€60 single / €100 multiple) and VFS service charge (~€43.80)
5. Wait for processing (5 working days to 6 weeks)
6. Collect your passport with the visa
How long does an Irish visa take for Russian applicants?
Processing takes between 5 working days and 6 weeks, depending on the complexity of the application and current volumes at the Irish Embassy. Apply at least 8 weeks before your intended travel date to allow time for gathering documents, submitting to VFS, and processing.
Does a UK visa allow me to enter Ireland?
No. A UK visa does not permit entry to Ireland for Russian citizens. Russia is not included in Ireland's Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme or the British-Irish Visa Scheme (which is limited to Chinese and Indian nationals). You need a separate Irish visa regardless of any UK visa you may hold.
How long can I stay in Ireland on a short-stay visa?
The Irish Short Stay "C" Visa permits stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Note that this 90-day count applies only to Ireland; time spent in Schengen countries is counted separately under Schengen rules. If you have an Irish visa and a Schengen visa and travel to both, the day counts are tracked independently.
Do Russian bank cards work in Ireland?
No. Ireland is an EU member state subject to EU financial sanctions against Russia.
Visa/Mastercard Russian cards do not work in Ireland (blocked since March 2022).
Mir cards are no longer accepted in Ireland. The EU extended sanctions in January 2026 to prohibit EU entities from connecting to Russia's Mir system.
UnionPay acceptance is limited in Ireland; most Irish merchants and ATMs do not accept UnionPay.
Bring cash euros as your primary payment method. Ireland uses the euro (EUR), so no currency conversion is needed if you arrive with euros from exchange before departure.
Are there direct flights from Russia to Ireland?
No direct flights have operated since the airspace closures of February 2022.
Via Istanbul (IST): Turkish Airlines operates Moscow to Istanbul with connections to Dublin (DUB). Russian citizens enter Turkey visa-free for up to 60 days. Total journey time approximately 8 to 11 hours.
Via Dubai (DXB): Emirates to Dubai with onward service to Dublin. Total journey time approximately 12 to 15 hours.
Via Doha (DOH): Qatar Airways to Doha with connections to Dublin.
Istanbul is generally the most practical connection given Turkish Airlines frequency and visa-free Turkish transit.
Do I need a separate Schengen visa if I visit Ireland and another EU country on the same trip?
Yes. Your Irish visa does not allow travel to Schengen countries. If you plan to visit Ireland and, for example, France or Germany on the same trip, you need both an Irish visa (€60 to €100) and a separate Schengen short-stay visa (€90). Apply for both well in advance. The day counts are tracked separately: time in Ireland counts only against your Irish 90/180-day allowance, not against your Schengen 90/180-day allowance.