Ireland•EuropeAirport Transit Visa (Type A)
At a Glance
1–2 months
EUR €25
Transit only — cannot leave port/airport
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
No dependents
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Short visa allowing visa-required nationals to pass through an Irish airport or seaport en route to another country without leaving the port.
The Irish Transit Visa allows visa-required nationals to pass through an Irish airport or seaport en route to another country, for example on a connecting flight. It does not permit you to leave the airport or seaport, enter Ireland, or pass through immigration control. Travellers who need to leave the port must instead apply for a short-stay 'C' visit visa.
You apply online through AVATS, pay a EUR 25 single-journey fee, and submit your passport, two photographs, flight itinerary showing the onward journey, and any visa required for your final destination. Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) advises that a decision typically issues about 8 weeks after documents are received, so apply well before your travel date.
This visa is ideal for travellers from transit-visa-required nationalities who need to change planes at an Irish airport without leaving the international transit area.
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be a national of a country on Ireland's transit-visa-required list.
Must be transiting through an Irish airport or seaport en route to another State.
Must not leave the airport or seaport during transit.
Must hold any visa required for the final destination country.
Must show at least 3 months' permission to remain in the destination country after leaving Ireland.
Must have a confirmed onward travel itinerary.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport
Two passport-sized colour photographs (signed on the back with name and AVATS Visa Application Transaction Number)
Signed and dated AVATS application summary sheets
Travel itinerary and airline bookings/tickets showing onward departure
Valid visa for the final destination country (if required)
Evidence of at least 3 months' permission to remain in the destination after leaving Ireland
Original refusal letter from any country that previously refused you a visa, with written explanation (if applicable)
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Low single-journey fee of EUR 25.
- Application is fully online through the AVATS portal.
- No requirement to clear Irish immigration or collect baggage during transit.
- No language, education or income requirements.
Worth Knowing
- Processing takes approximately 8 weeks, so apply well in advance of travel.
- Holder may not leave the airport or seaport — a 'C' visit visa is required for any landside activity.
- A valid onward visa and at least 3 months' destination permission must be evidenced.
- Each traveller, including children, must apply individually.
- Not available to nationals outside Ireland's transit-visa-required list (they should not apply).
- Insufficient onward travel documentation (no valid destination visa or ticket) leads to refusal.
Application Process
Complete the AVATS online visa application at visas.inis.gov.ie/avats and select 'Transit' as the journey type.
Print, sign and date the AVATS application summary sheets, noting the Visa Application Transaction Number.
Pay the EUR 25 single-journey transit visa fee.
Submit application sheets and supporting documents (passport, photos, onward ticket, destination visa) to the designated Irish visa office, embassy or consulate.
Await a decision — ISD advises approximately 8 weeks from receipt of documents.
Collect the visa in your passport before travelling; transit through Ireland without leaving the port.
Related visas
More visas in Ireland
- Working Holiday Authorisation
Working holiday
- Asylum/International Protection Application
Humanitarian
- Atypical Working Scheme
Work
Transit visas in other countries
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