An Easy Guide to Your Ireland Visa Application

Is exploring lush green hills, centuries-old castles and buzzing cities like Dublin and Cork on your travel list? Before you can wander Ireland’s countryside, you’ll need to get your Ireland visa application sorted, and this guide will walk you through the entire process, step by step.

Please note this guide is intended for Nigerian passport holders travelling to Ireland for short stays.

Ireland isn’t part of the Schengen zone, so a Schengen visa won’t get you through Irish border control — you’ll need a separate Irish short stay visa, also called a “C” visa. The good news? Once you know what’s required, the process is fairly straightforward.

Types of Ireland Visa

• Tourist Visa – Allows you to visit Ireland for leisure or short study purposes for up to 90 days.
• Business Visa – Suited to short business trips or work lasting 14 days or less. Keep in mind that this visa alone doesn’t grant you the right to work — the immigration officer who checks you in on arrival will need to approve that separately.

Ireland Visa Processing Time

If you submit your application through the Abuja centre, expect a wait of roughly 8 weeks. Lagos applicants should budget more time — closer to 12 weeks — as your file first has to make its way to Abuja before it can even be reviewed. With that in mind, aim to have your application in at least eight weeks ahead of departure, and give yourself extra breathing room if Lagos is your point of submission.

Ireland Visa Application Requirements

• A valid Nigerian passport with at least two blank pages
• A completed online application form, printed, signed and dated
• Two recent passport-style photographs meeting Irish photo specifications
• Evidence of sufficient funds to support your stay
• A letter from your employer or proof of business/study ties to Nigeria
• Proof of accommodation in Ireland
• A return flight reservation
• Travel insurance covering your trip
• A prepaid courier envelope (DHL, FedEx or UPS) so your passport can be returned to you by post

Note: Missing even one document is one of the most common reasons applications get refused, so double-check your checklist before you submit anything.

Documents for Minors

Applicants under 18 will also need their birth certificate, a signed consent letter from a parent or guardian, and copies of their parents’ passport data pages.

How to Apply for Your Ireland Visa

1. Create an account and complete your application through the Irish immigration online application system
2. Print, sign and date your completed form
3. Book an appointment at the VFS Global Ireland Visa Application Centre in Lagos or Abuja
4. Attend your appointment in person, since fingerprints are required for all applicants aged six and above (children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
5. Submit your original documents along with clear photocopies
6. Pay your visa and service fees at the bank teller counter on-site
7. Include a prepaid envelope for the return of your passport
8. Track your application status online while you wait

Ireland Visa Costs

• Single-entry visa: €60, payable in the Naira equivalent at the current exchange rate
• Multi-entry visa: €100, payable in the Naira equivalent at the current exchange rate
• VFS service charge and bank charges apply on top of the visa fee, payable in Naira at the Visa Application Centre

Note: These fees are non-refundable, whether or not your application is approved. Since they’re converted from euros, the Naira amount you pay depends on the exchange rate on the day of your appointment, so it’s worth checking the latest rate with VFS Global or the Embassy of Ireland before you go.

Where to Apply for Your Ireland Visa

Applications are submitted in person at the VFS Global Ireland Visa Application Centres in Lagos or Abuja. Both centres also offer photography and photocopying services on-site for a small fee, so you don’t need to worry if you arrive without printed copies.

FAQ

Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland from Nigeria? Yes. Nigerian passport holders require a short stay visa to enter Ireland, regardless of any Schengen visa you may already hold.

How long does an Ireland visa take to process? On average, around 8 weeks for Abuja applications and up to 12 weeks for Lagos applications, so apply early.

Can I use my Schengen visa to enter Ireland? No. Ireland is not part of the Schengen area, so you’ll need a separate Irish visa regardless of any Schengen visa in your passport.

What happens if my Ireland visa is refused? You’ll receive a letter explaining the reason for refusal, and in most cases you can appeal the decision within a set timeframe.

Ready to Explore Ireland?

With your documents in order and your application on its way, all that’s left is to picture yourself there: browsing the stalls at Dublin’s Temple Bar, wandering the colourful lanes of Cork, and working your way through a proper Irish breakfast. For the latest official updates on fees, forms and processing, keep an eye on the Irish Immigration Service Delivery website and the Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria.