travel document office dublin

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Travel Documents for Ireland

Immigration law is an incredibly complex area. For McGinley, it generally revolves around supporting individuals who need to enter or remain in Ireland. However, once that process is complete, what happens when that individual wants or needs to travel?

This is a rather important question to raise, as people who come to live in Ireland may need to travel to and from the country for a range of reasons. Ultimately, they are able to do that, but some key documentation may be required. More specifically, it might be time to get a travel document in Ireland.

The Irish Immigration Service explains that a travel document helps non-Irish nationals who live in the country to travel, but it adds that there are some important issues that you must bear in mind.

Irish Travel Document Eligibility

One of the key aspects relates to eligibility, as the Irish travel document has been created to support a specific group of people. The Irish Immigration Service details that you can fill in a travel document application form if you are:

• A refugee, as outlined by the International Protection Act 2015
• Someone who has been granted subsidiary protection under the International Protection Act 2015
• A programme refugee under section 59 of the International Protection Act 2015
• Stateless, in accordance with the New York Convention of 1954
• A family member of a person with refugee status or subsidiary protection
• A family member of programme refugees
• A person with permission to stay in the state

The service adds that, in some situations, a travel document will only be issued where a person has been unable to get a national passport. It references this in relation to subsidiary protection, being a family member of programme refugees and being a person with permission to stay in the state.

Travel Document Application Form

So, if you fall into any of the categories above, just how do you apply for a travel document in Ireland? The process begins with a key piece of documentation that is available online.

You will need a travel document application form to get started and this can be downloaded from the Irish Immigration Service. It asks for a host of personal information, while you will also need to provide four passport-sized photos with your travel document application form.

There are full details on the photo requirements on the Irish Immigration Service website and if your images do not meet the criteria, your application could be returned. You should familiarise yourself with all aspects, as they include stipulations in relation to pose, expression and other issues like glasses and head coverings.

You also need to pay a fee when completing a travel document application form. This travel document fee is €80 and it can only be paid by:

• Postal money order, where you send payment through the postal system.
• Bank draft, which is a cheque guaranteed by a bank.

The fee should be made payable to the Department of Justice.

Once you have everything in order, it is time to submit your Irish travel document application form. The Irish Immigration Service outlines that the application should be sent to:

Travel Document Section

Repatriation Division

Immigration Service Delivery

Department of Justice

13-14 Burgh Quay

The Irish Immigration Service adds that people can also apply from outside the state. In this situation, individuals can submit the travel document application form to the address above, but they must leave sections requiring Garda facilitation blank.

They should also provide details on an Irish Embassy that they can attend, as arrangements will be made for their application to be completed there. The travel document will subsequently be sent to the Irish Embassy for collection.

How Can McGinley Solicitors LLP Help Advise Me on Travel Documents for Ireland?

Immigration law is one of our key specialisms here at McGinley Solicitors LLP and we can support you through the entire process of getting a travel document in Ireland. Immigration issues are a tricky area and there is a lot to consider, from matters like Irish citizenship to securing that all-important work permit for use in the country.

We pride ourselves on being able to help in any situation, so we can ensure that your travel document application form is completely accurate and meets the key criteria. In addition, we can offer advice on any areas of concern and provide assistance so that you are in the best possible position when applying for the travel document.

So, if you have questions or want support when completing a travel document application form, please get in touch and speak to our experts today.

Irish Travel Document FAQs

What is a travel document for.

It helps eligible non-Irish nationals who live in Ireland to travel. In some cases, the document may be issued when a person is unable to get a passport.

Who is eligible for a travel document in Ireland?

You can apply for the document if you meet specific criteria and the key issues are listed above.

Do I need to pay any fees?

There is a travel document fee of €80 and this can only be paid in one of two ways. You can pay it by postal money order, or alternatively opt for a bank draft.

Can I apply for a travel document from outside Ireland?

This is possible and requires the involvement of an Irish Embassy. Once the process is complete, you can head to your chosen Embassy to collect the travel document.

Where can I get a travel document application form?

You can download the travel document application form from the Irish Immigration Service website. The site also includes other information including details on photo requirements.

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Permission to enter Ireland

Introduction, eea, uk and swiss nationals and permissionto enter ireland, non-eea nationals and permission to enter ireland, being refused permission to enter ireland, if you are granted permission to enter.

Ireland has rules and laws about who can enter the country. If you are a citizen of a country that is outside the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland or the UK, you must have permission to enter Ireland.

You get permission to enter Ireland from an immigration officer at the airport or ferry port where you enter Ireland. If you enter Ireland through Northern Ireland, you must get permission to enter after your arrival. You may also need to apply for and be granted a visa to enter Ireland (see ‘Non-EEA nationals and permission to enter Ireland’ below).

An immigration officer can refuse permission for you to enter Ireland, even if you have a visa or residence permission in Ireland.

Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area . This means that you must have a national passport or national identity card to enter Ireland from the EEA.

Travel with a child aged under 18: Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) has published advice for people travelling to Ireland with a minor who is not their child or who has a different surname .

EEA and Swiss citizens must have a passport or national identity card to enter Ireland.

EEA, and Swiss citizens have the right to move freely in the EEA, and you can only be refused permission to enter Ireland in very limited situations:

• You are suffering from a serious contagious disease which poses a serious threat to the population
• Your past behaviour, including any criminal convictions you may have, is deemed to pose a substantial risk to public security or public policy

UK citizens can travel freely to Ireland as part of the Common Travel Area .

You do not have to register with the immigration authorities as EEA and Swiss nationals have specific rights to live and work in Ireland.

If you are travelling with family members who are not citizens of the EEA, UK or Switzerland, they need to have permission to enter and may have to apply for a visa.

If you are a national of any other country (other than the United Kingdom ), you must get permission to enter when you arrive in Ireland.

You may have to get a visa before you can travel to Ireland. A visa is a type of preclearance that allows you to travel to Ireland. You still have to get permission to enter Ireland at your port of entry to the State even if you have a valid visa.

Preclearance

If you do not need a visa to enter Ireland, you have to get pre-clearance before you travel to Ireland if you are moving here because:

• You plan to practice as a minister of religion
• You are a volunteer
• You are the de facto partner of an Irish citizen (this means you are in a relationship with an Irish citizen that is like a marriage, but you are not married to them)
• You are the de facto partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder
• You are joining or accompanying a UK national family member

If your preclearance application is successful, you will be granted a letter of approval or preclearance letter. This must be presented to the immigration officer at border control when you arrival in Ireland. An Immigration Officer at border control can refuse you entry even if you have a preclearance letter and visa.

Preparing for entering Ireland

You must have a passport or recognised travel document if you are coming from a country outside the EEA. You may also need to have a visa.

You should have proof of the reasons you are coming to Ireland. The documents you need depend on the purpose of your trip. If you are visiting Ireland for a short period, you should have:

• Proof that you have money to support yourself and your dependents
• Proof of where you are staying while you are in Ireland
• A return ticket to go back to the country where you normally live
• Proof that you are working or studying in your home country, or have other important things (for example, family commitments) to return to

If you plan to travel to the UK as well, you must have permission to enter the UK before you come to Ireland.

If you are moving to Ireland, you have to show that you meet the requirements for your reasons for moving here. Some examples of the reasons for travelling to Ireland are:

• If you plan to study in Ireland
• If you are joining your Irish spouse
• If you are joining your Irish partner
• If you are joining your EU family member
• If you have an employment permit

The immigration officer may refuse your permission to enter Ireland if the immigration officer believes:

• You are not in a position to support yourself and any dependants arriving with you
• You intend to take up employment and you do not have a permit
• You suffer from certain specified conditions - these include TB, other infectious diseases, drug addiction and profound mental disturbance (this is defined as “manifest conditions of psychotic disturbance with agitation, delirium, hallucinations or confusion”)
• You have been convicted of an offence which carries a penalty of a year’s imprisonment or more
• You are obliged to have a visa and you do not have one
• You are the subject of a deportation order, an exclusion order or similar order
• You do not have a valid passport
• You intend to travel to Great Britain or Northern Ireland and you do not have a right to enter there
• Your entry or presence in Ireland could pose a threat to national security or be contrary to public policy
• You have come to Ireland for a different reason than you have given the immigration officer

If you are refused permission to enter you must be given the reasons in writing.

What happens if I am refused entry to Ireland?

If you are refused permission to enter Ireland, you may be detained in prison .

If your solicitor thinks that the refusal was unlawful, they may apply to court for an injunction to stop you from being deported. This is a type of court order that prevents the deportation from going ahead while the court decides if the refusal was lawful.

You may be deported back to the country where you normally live.

This information is for citizens of countries outside the EEA, Switzerland and the UK.

You may be given permission to enter but with conditions attached. For example, you may only be allowed to stay for a stated period. The immigration officer will stamp your passport with information about the conditions of your stay.

The immigration officer may grant you a visitor permission which allows you to stay for a maximum of 3 months. In certain unforeseen circumstances, this visitor permission may be extended .

If you want to stay in Ireland for longer than this, you must apply for permission to remain by registering with your immigration office.

However, visa-required nationals who have entered Ireland on a C (or ‘short stay’) visa cannot extend their permission to remain, unless they were granted a C visa to join an EEA family member. They must leave and apply for a D visa from outside Ireland if they want to return.

Contact your local immigration office .

If you are living in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Limerick, Meath or Wicklow contact the Burgh Quay Registration Office.

Burgh Quay Registration Office

Department of Justice 13/14 Burgh Quay Dublin 2 D02 XK70 Ireland

Immigrant Council of Ireland

2 St Andrew Street Dublin 2 Ireland

Nasc Migrant and Refugee Rights

34 Paul Street Cork T12 W14H

Related documents

• Bringing my non-EEA partner to Ireland to get married Outlines how to bring your non-EEA, UK or Swiss partner to Ireland to get married. 1777.5342
• Back to Work Enterprise Allowance If you are getting certain social welfare payments, there are supports to help you become self-employed. Find out about the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme. 1749.2695
• Visa requirements for entering Ireland Citizens of certain countries need a valid Irish entry visa before they arrive in Ireland. Find out whether you need a visa to enter Ireland. 1709.8815

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre .

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Entry requirements

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Ireland set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the  Irish Embassy in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Ireland.   

Passport and ID requirements

British nationals are not legally required to show a passport to enter Ireland, but it may be useful to carry in case you need to prove your identity.

Irish immigration officers are entitled to ask for proof of British nationality in the course of their work. Ferries and airlines may ask for ID. Check your carrier’s conditions of travel.

Check the  Ireland Citizens Information Board for guidance on acceptable ID .

Visa requirements

You can visit and remain indefinitely in Ireland under the Common Travel Area rules . British nationals do not need a visa or residency permit to live, work or study in Ireland. 

Although Ireland is in the EU, it is not part of the  Schengen area , and Schengen rules do not apply.  

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Ireland guide .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into and out of Ireland . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Travelling with pets

Read about  travelling to the EU with your pet  and check the  Irish entry requirements for pets .

Taking money into Ireland

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more . You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.

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