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The economic outlook is bright for Ireland. According to a report by Reuters, the GDP made a strong start in 2019. We witnessed similar progress in 2018 too. The powerful tourism industry and a high standard of education attract foreign students to the country. Business people seem interested to develop their ties to Ireland. To visit Ireland for business reasons, you might need an Ireland business visa.

In this blog, we will explain who needs and does not need an Ireland business visa, the application process, requirements, FAQs, and more.

Ireland Business visa

Ireland business visa also gets called “C” visa and comes in the short-stay category. There is a limitation for your stay under it. You could only stay in Ireland for 90 days. To stay longer, applicants have to apply for a different type of visa. Ireland business visa allows you to enter the country and carry out whatever business intention you have. You can visit companies, participate in meetings, sign contracts, MOU, etc. A business visa allows you to work in Ireland too. Yet, the rules are different. See the section below for more details. While many might need an Ireland business visa, a few do not need it.

A Step by Step Guide to Ireland Business visa

Who Needs and does not Need Ireland Business visa

The answer depends on your nationality. You should also know that aside from a visa, going through Border Control is a must. But this isn’t the case for all nationalities.

EU, EEA countries

If the country you reside in is a member of the EU or EEA, you don’t need an Ireland business visa. EU citizens do not need to go through Border Control either. Ireland is part of the EU. So the EU residents or nationals can freely enter Ireland.

The same rules applied for the EU also apply for Swiss nationals/citizens.

Non-EU countries

Whether non-EU countries need a visa or not depends on two cases.

A few countries are FREE of Ireland short-stay visa. If your nationality does not need an Ireland short-stay visa, then you do not need a business visa either. However, you should register at the Border Control with the authorities.

Other countries whose citizens NEED an Ireland short-stay visa have to apply for a business visa too. Please note that holding a business visa does not guarantee entrance to Ireland. They must go through Border Control. The Border Immigration officials check the documents and eligibility of these groups. If officials do not find the traveler fit, they will not permit him to enter the country.

Ireland Business visa Application Process

The application process for the Ireland business visa is as follows:

1. Figure out whether you need a business visa or not

Before you apply for an Ireland business visa, figure out whether you need one. A few countries are exempt from Ireland short-stay visa and business visa. See the section above to find it out.

2. Complete the online application form

The first step in the application process is completing the application form. You should do it online. You have to complete the form in the Irish government website (AVATS). Please be careful when you fill in the blanks. The information you put must be identical to your documents. You must not provide false information either. If so, your application might get refused.

When you completed the form, you should print the summary page. Then, date and sign it. It is one of the essential requirements to submit to the authorities.

3. Gather the requirements for Ireland business visa

You have to collect some supporting documents for Ireland business visa. They are to prove your eligibility and that you have been honest with your application. You should be picky in this part. The Irish government is strict with visa rules. Focus on even small-trivial details. Proceed according to the guideline. If one piece of documents is missing or faulty, the application will take longer.

You could see the section below to find out about Ireland business visa requirements.

4. Find the place to submit requirements

When you print the summary page of the application, it will inform you where to submit requirements. The place varies according to the country you live in. There are two ways to submit the supporting documents:

1. By mail

2. In-person

The submitting way depends on the place you have to submit the documents. Whatever the procedure is, you have to put the requirements in a large and tough envelope.

5. Pay the processing fees

There is also a fee for processing Ireland business visa. The way you have to pay the fee depends on the place you submit the requirements. It is possible to pay the fee when you submit requirements in person. When you should mail requirements, you have to attach the receipt of paid fees to your application.

6. Submit Biometric

If the authorities ask, you have to submit your Biometrics. The printed summary page of the application will inform you to submit Biometrics or not. It will also notify you where to submit them.

7. Wait for processing

Now you should just wait. Wait until your application gets processed. The normal processing time is eight weeks. However, it could take longer. It much depends on your case, the country you apply from, etc.

When the officials issue a visa, they will send it to your address (Congratulations). If the application gets denied, they will inform you why. In this case, they will send you the original form of your documents.

8. Moving to Ireland and the Border Control

When you receive the visa, you can move to Ireland. However, you might have to go through Border Control. This stage depends on your nationality. You can see the section above to find out more about it.

Infographic A Step by Step Guide to Ireland Business visa

What are the Requirements for an Ireland Business visa?

Ireland business visa applicants have to provide a few documents. The supporting documents are to prove they are eligible. It will also prove they have been honest with their application. The requirements are as follows:

A. Application summary

When you complete the application form on AVATS, there is a summary page at the end. You should print it. Consider this point when you start completing the application. The computer you use should be connected to a printer. You should submit this summary page to the authorities.

B. A letter

You must write a letter to the Irish officials explaining the purpose of your visit. You could type or write in hand one. It must also contain the dates you will enter and leave Ireland. If family members accompany you, mention them in the letter.

C. Passport

The passport you provide must be valid for at least six months after the date you will leave Ireland. It must not be older than ten years ago. At least two blank pages in it is also a must.

D. Proof to have enough funds

You must declare to have sufficient money to cover your expenses in Ireland. Your bank statement could prove to have enough funds.

E. Photo

Provide two photos taken in the past three months. They must comply with the obligations set by the Irish government. Your face must cover 70% of the photo. Hat, sunglasses, veil, etc. must not cover your face.

F. Booked ticket to return to your home country

It a document to prove that you have the intention to leave Ireland and return to your home country.

G. Proof of accommodation

You should declare the place you will stay in your application. It could be a hotel, a rented place, etc. If you are staying in different places, state the names, addresses, and duration.

H. Proof of paid the visa processing fees

Keep the receipt of paid visa fees as you may need it for the next application process.

I. Insurance

You must have health insurance to cover your expenses in Ireland.

J. Invitation letter

An Irish company, business, or person must send you an invitation letter. It is a must for a business visa. The letter must include:

  • The purpose of the guest’s visit to Ireland
  • The entrance and leaving dates
  • Explain exactly if the guest would work in Ireland
  • State who and how will pay the expenses of the trip

If you are employed

In case you are employed and make the trip on behalf of your manager, you should provide a few documents:

  • Permission leave from your employer who has authorized the trip.
  • A letter explaining the purpose of the trip. It must also state who will pay the expenses of the trip.
  • The exact dates you will not go to work.
  • Tax return certificate of the company
  • The area company works in.
  • Company’s registration certificates.
  • Banks statement of the company’s account for the past six months

If you are self-employed

  • Registration certificate of your company
  • Bank statements for the past six months
  • Tax return certificate

The Processing Time for Ireland Business visa

The standard processing time for an Ireland business visa is eight weeks. However, depending on the country you apply from and your case, it might take longer.

Can You Extend Ireland Business visa?

Normally not. It is not possible to extend an Ireland business visa. Yet, in Force Majuro cases or when you are ill, it might be possible. Please note that you must have a compelling reason to convince the Irish Naturalization & Immigration Service to extend your visa.

How Long is the Ireland Business Visa Valid for?

The standard validity of the Ireland business visa is 90 days. You can not stay longer than that. However, when you go through Border Control, the validity is up to their decision.

How Many Times Can You Enter Ireland under a Business Visa?

The times you can enter Ireland depends on the type of visa:

Single-entry

Under a single-entry visa, you can only enter Ireland one time. You have permission to remain as long as your visa is valid.

Multiple-entries

Under this visa, you can enter and leave Ireland as many times as you want. You could do it until your visa is valid. Applicants can ask for a multiple-entry business visa. However, it is up to the authorities’ decision to grant you one. They can decline your request too.

Can you Work under a Business Visa?

YES. You can work under an Ireland business visa. However, the business visa is not like an Ireland work visa. Under a business visa, you only can work for 14 days. The 14 days period must be steady and uninterrupted.  You must not work for longer than 14 days.

When you enter Ireland, you should provide related documents to work in the country. It is up to the officials’ decisions at the Border Control to allow you to work or not.

Ireland Business Visa fees

The fee for business visa depends on the type of visa. A single-entry visa would cost 80 EUR. While a multiple-entry visa would cost 100 EUR. The mentioned price is a standard price and might be subject to change.

What is Ireland investment visa?

It’s a business visa and allows you to move to the country by investing in companies or starting a new one.

Let’s sum up…

In this blog, we explained all you should know about Ireland business visa.

We covered who needs and does not need a business visa, application process, requirements, FAQs, and more.

You can find all the Ireland visa information in the world here.

To find out more about the visa that suits you, go through the menu of the site. You can find all the types of Ireland visas at the left sidebar.

You can check Visa Library to find more information about other countries’ visas.

In case you have some experience, please write it down in the comment section. Your comments let the readers choose better and avoid mistakes. Conveying your experiences as comments is a great help for applicants.

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2 Comments

  1. Ben says:

    I have filled and submitted the application form. It’s been three months. I haven’t got any response tho. You said it takes eight weeks.

    • support says:

      Hello there. Thanks for leaving a comment on our webpage. \Apart from that, we have also mentioned that the processing time can vary, depending on your country. We hope you get your visa ASAP.