Ireland Short Stay 'C' Visa: Flight and Hotel Rules
Ireland is not part of the Schengen area and maintains its own immigration policies administered by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). When applying for an Irish Short Stay Tourist or Visit Visa (Category C), accurate documentation is vital.
ISD Explicit Warning Against Buying Tickets
The Irish Immigration Service explicitly warns all applicants: "Do not buy travel tickets before you receive a decision on your visa application. You should only make travel arrangements that can be cancelled or rescheduled without significant financial penalty."
Acceptable Flight Documentation for Ireland
- A detailed flight itinerary showing planned travel dates, flight routes to Dublin (DUB), Cork (ORK), or Shannon (SNN), and return travel.
- The itinerary must confirm the applicant's name and realistic transit stops.
- A provisional booking or verifiable GDS itinerary is fully acceptable.
Proof of Accommodation in Ireland
Applicants must provide proof of hotel, bed and breakfast (B&B), or hostel bookings for each night of their stay in Ireland, or an official sponsorship undertaking if staying with an Irish resident.