Ireland family visit visa: requirements, fee and processing time
This page covers the Ireland family visit visa — used for visiting relatives or a partner, including family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. Every field below is taken from our editor-verified country record and reflects what the Ireland consular network publishes for applicants of any nationality. You apply in the country where you legally reside, so exact centres and service fees can differ locally.
Where to apply for a Ireland family visit visa
AVATS online, with documents lodged at a VFS Global Ireland centre in the UK. Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens use the separate free-movement route.
Required documents
- Signed AVATS application summary
- Valid passport
- Passport photos
- Proof of the relationship (marriage or birth certificates)
- Evidence of the sponsor's Irish or EU status
- Evidence of the sponsor's income and accommodation
- Letter of invitation from the sponsor
- Proof of UK residence status
- Police clearance certificate for long-stay reunification
- Private medical insurance
Turn this list into a tick-off checklist on the checklist page, which also flags which items are mandatory and which are only advisable.
Fees, reductions and exemptions
- Single entry join family visa€60— Standard fee
- Multiple entry€100— Where multiple entries are needed
- Family member of an Irish or EU citizenFree— Directive 2004/38/EC and Irish citizen provisions
EUR 60 single entry or EUR 100 multiple entry for a join-family visa; free for family members of Irish or EU citizens under free movement provisions.
Booking an appointment
Complete AVATS, then book a VFS appointment or use postal submission. Long-stay reunification with an Irish citizen sponsor usually requires a D visa or preclearance and the sponsor's residence status must already be settled.
Practical tips
De facto partner cases routinely run to several months and are handled through preclearance rather than an ordinary visa - check which track applies before paying anything.
What is unusual about the Ireland process
Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens exercising free movement get a distinct, faster and fee-free process that sits outside the standard Irish visa fee schedule.
Official sources
If you are applying from the United Kingdom
- London — Embassy of Ireland — Visa Office17 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HRIrish visas for UK residents; apply online via AVATS first. Ireland is outside the Schengen area.
Applying from somewhere else? Use the consulate that covers your country of legal residence — the requirements above still apply.
Updated today against official Ireland consular sources. Requirements can change without notice — always confirm before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Ireland family visit visa cost?
- For a Ireland family visit visa, the consular fee is €60. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: Single entry join family visa — €60; Multiple entry — €100; Family member of an Irish or EU citizen — free. EUR 60 single entry or EUR 100 multiple entry for a join-family visa; free for family members of Irish or EU citizens under free movement provisions. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
- How long does a Ireland family visit visa take to process?
- A decision on a Ireland family visit visa typically takes around 45 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.
- Where do I apply for a Ireland family visit visa?
- AVATS online, with documents lodged at a VFS Global Ireland centre in the UK. Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens use the separate free-movement route. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
- What documents are required for a Ireland family visit visa?
- The Ireland consular network lists: Signed AVATS application summary; Valid passport; Passport photos; Proof of the relationship (marriage or birth certificates); Evidence of the sponsor's Irish or EU status; Evidence of the sponsor's income and accommodation; Letter of invitation from the sponsor; Proof of UK residence status; Police clearance certificate for long-stay reunification; Private medical insurance. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.
- How do appointments work for a Ireland family visit visa?
- Appointment model: Outsourced center. Complete AVATS, then book a VFS appointment or use postal submission. Long-stay reunification with an Irish citizen sponsor usually requires a D visa or preclearance and the sponsor's residence status must already be settled.
- Can I apply for a Ireland family visit visa from the United Kingdom?
- Yes. We list 1 submission point in the UK for Ireland, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.
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