Ireland Tourist Visa from India in 2026: AVATS, Fees and the British-Irish Visa Scheme
By Ananya Singh (Ananya Singh writes step-by-step first-international-trip guides for Indians — passport rules, visa cascade timing, immigration walkthroughs, and the unglamorous logistics that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.) · Published · Last updated · 12 min read
Ireland is NOT in the Schengen Area — a Schengen visa won't get you in. This is the 2026 Indian guide to the Irish Short Stay 'C' visa: the AVATS online application, no e-visa, VFS biometrics, fees, and how the British-Irish Visa Scheme lets one visa cover the UK too.
Quick answer
Yes — Indians need a visa for Ireland, and crucially Ireland is NOT in the Schengen Area, so a Schengen visa does not let you in. For tourism you need an Irish Short Stay 'C' visa (up to 90 days). You apply online via the AVATS portal (there is no e-visa), then print the summary, sign it, and submit your passport, documents and biometrics at VFS Global. As of June 2026 the fee is ₹5,300 single-entry / ₹9,000 multiple-entry (plus VFS charges). Allow 4–8 weeks (longer in summer). Verify the current fee on ireland.ie before you apply.
Ireland is not Schengen — what that means for you
This trips up many Indian travellers. Ireland is in the EU but opted out of Schengen; it runs its own immigration and its own visa. Consequences:
- A Schengen visa does not admit you to Ireland, and an Irish visa does not admit you to Schengen. If you plan Ireland + mainland Europe, you need two visas.
- Ireland shares the Common Travel Area (CTA) with the UK — which is the basis of the British-Irish Visa Scheme (see below) that can let a single visa cover both the UK and Ireland.
- There is no Irish e-visa. Everything starts on the AVATS online form, but you must still submit documents and biometrics in person at VFS.
Review the country basics on our Ireland visa page. If your wider trip also touches mainland Europe, our how to get a Schengen visa from India guide covers that separate application.
Step 1 — Complete the AVATS online application
Start at the AVATS (Online Visa Application) portal linked from ireland.ie (the Embassy of Ireland, New Delhi site). Choose visa type Short Stay 'C' — Tourist/Visit, and fill the form: personal details exactly as on passport, trip dates, accommodation, funding, and your travel history. When you finish, the system generates an application summary sheet — print it, sign it, and date it. Note your AVATS application/transaction number; you'll need it for VFS and to track status.
Ireland does not issue an e-visa — completing AVATS does not grant entry. It is only the first stage; you must then book VFS and submit your physical file. Apply early: with 4–8 week processing (more in summer), lodging well ahead of travel is essential.
Step 2 — Book VFS Global, submit documents and biometrics
After AVATS, book an appointment at VFS Global (visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/irl) to submit your printed application, supporting documents, passport, and biometrics (fingerprints + photo). From 1 December 2025, Irish visa submission at VFS is appointment-only — walk-ins may be refused, so book a slot.
VFS forwards your file to the Irish visa office / Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi for the decision. All fees — the visa fee, VFS service charge and any courier — are non-refundable, even if the visa is refused, so build the strongest file you can the first time.
Step 3 — Documents checklist for an Irish tourist visa
Irish visa officers weigh financial capacity and ties to India heavily. Bring originals and clear copies.
- Signed AVATS summary sheet and a recent passport photo.
- Passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay, plus any previous passports.
- Bank statements — original, last 6 months. Large sudden deposits before applying are viewed with suspicion and must be explained — keep your statements clean.
- Proof of funds sufficient for the whole trip; a common benchmark is roughly €50–€100 per day on top of flights and accommodation.
- Employment proof — leave-approval letter, salary slips, 2 years' ITRs (or business registration/GST if self-employed).
- Confirmed return flight and accommodation for the full stay.
- Cover letter explaining the trip, your itinerary, who funds it, and your ties to India (job, family, property) that show you'll return. A cover-letter template helps here too.
- Travel insurance — strongly recommended.
Step 4 — Fees and processing time (June 2026)
| Visa type | Government fee (June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Short Stay 'C' — single entry | ₹5,300 |
| Short Stay 'C' — multiple entry | ₹9,000 |
| Transit visa | ₹2,225 |
On top of the government fee, VFS charges a service fee (and optional courier). All amounts are non-refundable even on refusal. Some applicants are exempt from the visa fee (certain categories under Irish rules) — check ireland.ie. Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks, and during the May–September peak can stretch to 10–12 weeks; the Embassy in New Delhi has at times quoted around 40 working days. Apply well in advance and confirm current fees and timelines on the official ireland.ie visa pages.
BIVS and getting to Ireland from India
Because Ireland and the UK share the Common Travel Area, the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) lets eligible Indian nationals travel to both the UK and Ireland on a single short-stay visa. Key points:
- BIVS is available to Indian nationals applying from India (not from the UAE, US, Canada, etc.). It applies only to short-stay visitor visas (up to 6 months for the UK / 90 days for Ireland), not to study/work/long-stay visas.
- Your visa must be endorsed 'BIVS' — for an Irish visa the remarks show something like "IND BC BIVS". A visa officer decides whether to add the endorsement; it isn't automatic.
- You must enter the issuing country first. If you hold an Irish short-stay visa endorsed BIVS and also want the UK, you must travel to Ireland first; if you hold a UK visitor visa endorsed BIVS, enter the UK first.
- On a UK BIVS visa you can stay up to 180 days in the UK, but only up to 90 days in Ireland.
So a common Indian plan — Dublin plus London — can run on one BIVS-endorsed visa instead of two, if the endorsement is granted. For the UK side, see our UK Standard Visitor visa guide; always confirm BIVS rules on ireland.ie and gov.uk, as details can change. On flights: India–Ireland is one-stop in 2026, via the Gulf (Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), or a European/UK hub into Dublin (DUB) — the natural base for the Cliffs of Moher, Galway and the Ring of Kerry. If combining with London under BIVS, book the Ireland leg as your first arrival. Plan the city in our Dublin destination guide and compare live one-stop fares on the Delhi to Dublin and Mumbai to Dublin routes in the FlightGPT chat at flightgpt.in.
Why Irish visas get refused — and how to avoid it
- Weak or unexplained finances — Ireland scrutinises bank statements closely; sudden large deposits without proof are a top refusal reason. Show steady, sufficient funds (~€50–100/day plus pre-paid costs).
- Insufficient ties to India — no leave letter, no proof of employment or family/property responsibilities. The officer must believe you'll return.
- Assuming a Schengen visa covers Ireland — it doesn't; you need a separate Irish visa.
- Inconsistent information between the AVATS form, documents and itinerary.
- Applying too late — 4–8 weeks (10–12 in summer) means last-minute files miss travel dates.
If refused, the decision letter explains why and you can appeal in writing within the stated window, or re-apply with a stronger, well-evidenced file. There's no e-visa shortcut — fix the underlying weakness first.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Ireland, and does a Schengen visa work?
Yes, Indians need an Irish visa, and a Schengen visa does NOT work — Ireland is not in the Schengen Area. For tourism you need an Irish Short Stay 'C' visa, applied online via AVATS, with documents and biometrics submitted at VFS Global. Ireland and Schengen are separate visa systems.
How much does an Ireland tourist visa cost from India in 2026?
As of June 2026, the government fee is ₹5,300 for a single-entry Short Stay 'C' visa and ₹9,000 for multiple entry; transit is ₹2,225. VFS service and courier charges are extra, and all fees are non-refundable even if refused. Verify current fees on ireland.ie.
Does Ireland have an e-visa?
No. Ireland does not issue e-visas. You complete the application online via the AVATS portal, then print and sign the summary and submit your passport, documents and biometrics in person at a VFS Global centre. The AVATS step alone does not grant entry.
How long does an Irish visa take to process from India?
Typically 4–8 weeks, and during the May–September peak it can stretch to 10–12 weeks; the Embassy in New Delhi has quoted around 40 working days at times. Apply well in advance and avoid booking non-refundable tickets before approval.
What is the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS)?
BIVS lets eligible Indian nationals applying from India travel to both the UK and Ireland on a single short-stay visa endorsed 'BIVS' (e.g., 'IND BC BIVS' on an Irish visa). You must enter the issuing country first. It covers only short-stay visitor visas, not study/work/long-stay visas. Confirm details on ireland.ie and gov.uk.
Can I visit both Ireland and the UK on one visa?
Yes, if your short-stay visa is endorsed 'BIVS'. If it's an Irish BIVS visa you must travel to Ireland first; if it's a UK BIVS visa you enter the UK first. A UK BIVS visa allows up to 180 days in the UK but only up to 90 days in Ireland. The endorsement isn't automatic — a visa officer decides.
Is there a direct flight from India to Dublin?
No non-stop service operates in 2026. Indians connect one-stop via Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Frankfurt, Amsterdam or London into Dublin (DUB). If combining with London under BIVS, enter Ireland first. Compare live one-stop fares for Delhi–Dublin and Mumbai–Dublin in the FlightGPT chat.