Ireland has always been an interesting tourist destination for Russians. It is famous for its unique distinctive culture and picturesque nature. When planning a trip to this state, it is necessary to specify in advance whether a visa should be requested. It is also important to understand whether Ireland is a Schengen or not. The ability to navigate these issues will help to avoid difficulties with obtaining entry permits and visa refusals.
What is the Schengen area
The problem of crossing the borders of European states after the Second World War was quite acute. To solve this problem, a special zone was created. There were no borders inside her. The Schengen Agreement was signed in 1985 by five countries. Later, other powers joined them. The process of forming the zone was slow. The agreement entered into force only in 1995. Even after this date, different countries continued to join him.
In order to ensure the order of entry of foreign citizens, the Schengen states began to issue single entry permits. The rules for their design and the size of consular fees are also the same for all countries.
Which countries are in the Schengen area
This list in 2019 included 26 European countries. The borders of the Schengen area are shown in the image below.
Ireland: Schengen or not?
This state is located on the second largest island of the British archipelago. It is interesting to note that a quarter of its territory in the northeast is under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. This part is called Northern Ireland.
The state has been a full member of the European Union for several decades. Moreover, in its territory is the currency of the euro. The question is, does Ireland enter Schengen or not? The country, unfortunately, has not yet become part of the zone mentioned above.
What visa is required for entry
To visit the amazingly beautiful and distinctive Ireland, you need to apply for a visa in advance. It will require a national entry permit, and not some other. Can I get to Ireland on a Schengen visa? The answer is negative.
About British Visas
In 2011, the authorities of the Russian Federation and Ireland entered into an agreement on a visa regime for Russian tourists. According to this document, our compatriots are now entitled to visit Ireland with British type C visas. However, this can only be done with permits that are valid for several entries and have already been used to travel to the United Kingdom. Thus, you can leave the UK for Russia, and then go to Dublin from Moscow or another city.
If we talk about Northern Ireland, then it is still possible to visit on a British visa. It is important to note that the United Kingdom is also not a member of the Schengen area. On a national English visa to visit 26 states is also impossible.
Types of Irish Visas
Entry permits issued by the Irish authorities to the Russians come in several varieties:
- Tourist.
- Guest (for trips with a maximum period of 3 months as part of invitations from individuals).
- Training (for those who are going to undergo training, the period of which is no more than 90 days).
- Business visas (issued at the invitation of business partners from Ireland).
- Transit (necessary when the traveler’s route to other states lies through the territory of the country).
- Workers (for temporary or permanent employment).
Basically, they are drawn up for the requested period and for only one visit. However, multiple visas valid for up to 5 years can be obtained by the relatives of those who permanently legally reside in the EU.
Design scheme
The procedure for obtaining an entry permit is as follows:
- Filling out a visa application form online through the portal of the Government of Ireland. The applicant should print and sign it. Filling out the form is permitted exclusively in English.
- Collection of all necessary papers, their execution.
- Filing an application with an authorized organization.
- Decision-making.
- Getting a passport. Putting a visa in it.
Documents
Before you get a visa to Ireland, you must prepare a set of documents. It includes:
- The issued application form.
- Passport for visiting foreign countries. It must contain at least 2 blank pages, and also have a validity period of at least 180 days from the date of the planned departure from Ireland.
- The original of the old passport in the presence and photocopy of all its completed sheets.
- Russian internal document, as well as copies of all its spreads on separate sheets.
- Two color photographs.
- Confirmation of sufficient finance for the trip.
- Medical insurance for those traveling abroad.
- Documents confirming the marital status of the applicant (marriage registration certificate, birth certificates of children).
- Additional papers regarding the purpose of the visit and the way of travel (round-trip air tickets or a driver’s license and insurance policy for an international car).
- A certificate from the current place of employment on the official letterhead of the company with the seal and signature of the head (the position of the applicant, length of service, monthly salary, as well as the fact of granting leave for the period of the trip).
All documentation that a person preparing a visa prepares in Russian should be translated into English. This should be done by a certified specialist. The translation must be certified by a notary.
The following papers can be submitted to confirm financial solvency:
- Bank statement from the account addressed to the applicant.
- Certificate confirming the availability of funds on the payment card.
- A letter from the sponsor who claimed responsibility for financing the visit.
The unemployed will need a sponsorship letter, and students will need a certificate from the educational institution. Additionally, copies of property documents are permitted to confirm non-immigration intentions. Do I need to imagine Schengen for a trip to Ireland or not? The presence in the passport of entry permits of other countries pay attention. Therefore, you can attach a copy of the spread of the Schengen documents.
Additional papers for different categories of visas
For tourist permits to enter, additional papers will be required confirming the availability of a place for temporary residence (hotel reservation, lease agreement, letter of invitation from a private person).
If we talk about study visas, here it is necessary to submit a letter from the educational organization. It must confirm the fact of payment of the course and student enrollment. In addition, parents or guardians present papers confirming their solvency.
A business visa requires the applicant to have a letter from Irish partners, a work visa from the host organization, a guest visa from an individual.
During transit, the applicant must present tickets to the country of destination and previously obtained entry permits.
Visit with baby
In order to obtain a visa to Ireland for a minor, his birth certificate is additionally required. Consent to travel abroad may also be required:
- From both parents - when the child travels alone or accompanied by third parties.
- From mother or father - for traveling with someone one of them.
Under 14 years of age, minor Russians may not have their own passport. In this case, they fit into the parent document. Do children need a visa to Ireland in this situation? It is definitely necessary. The document immediately put the visa of the parent and child.
Documents are prepared by the parent or guardian of the child. He must correctly fill out and sign a visa application form.
Visa for senior citizens
Is Schengen valid for retirees in Ireland? This category of applicants does not have such privileges. Therefore, they also need to apply for an Irish visa.
As additional documents from pensioners will be required:
- Original and photocopy of the pension certificate.
- Copies of each spread of the savings book, as well as a bank card for making payments.
- Financial documents.
Where to go
Acceptance of applications for the issuance of entry permits and their consideration is the visa department of the Embassy of Ireland. It is located in Moscow at the address: Grokholsky Lane, 5.
Applicants living in any locality of Russia can apply here.
In addition, Irish visa application centers operate in Yekaterinburg and St. Petersburg. They serve residents of the Ural and North-Western districts.
The filing of documents must be pre-recorded. Apply for a visa only in person. The exception is when applicants are not able to visit the visa center. In such a situation, you can resort to the services of courier services.
Cost
The price of an entry permit issued through the Ireland Visa Application Center depends on the type of document. For single trips, it is 60 euros (about 4400 rubles), for multiple trips - 100 (7400 rubles), and for transit - 25 (1850 rubles). You must pay the visa fee on the day you submit the documents and only in Russian currency at the current rate.
If the traveler decided to use the services of travel agencies or intermediary firms, the cost of a visa will be increased by 3-7 thousand rubles. Therefore, preparing documents yourself is much cheaper.
All relatives of EU citizens (parents, spouses, children) and holders of diplomatic identification cards are exempted from all fees.
In case of refusal of a visa, the fee is not returned to the applicant.
Deadlines
A visa for a trip to Ireland is prepared within 5-15 days. Most often, the waiting period is no more than a week. However, in the high season, when the consulate processes a lot of applications, the period can be extended. Usually this happens in spring and summer. Therefore, it is best to submit documents about a month before the planned visit.
About Failures
As a rule, there are no problems with applying for Irish visas. However, failures do occur. If you have not been given a visa, you need to find out the reason for the negative decision. Here are the most common reasons for refusing:
- The applicant submitted to the visa department not all documents.
- Not enough finance to provide travel.
- Finding a job seeker in Ireland is undesirable.
- Errors were made during the execution of the invitation letter.
- The provided documentation package could not confirm the purpose of the visit.
- The consul is not sure that the applicant will not violate the regime of entry into the country in the future.
- Submission of doubtful papers.
- A work permit was not previously obtained.
- The applicant did not provide evidence that he plans to return to his homeland.
The following factors can also influence the decision of the consul (positive or negative):
- Problems with residence at home.
- Issuance of visas by other countries.
- Facts of violation of entry regimes of foreign states.
- Criminal record.
- The presence of close relatives in Ireland.
If the reason is clear, and the problems can be fixed in a short time, it is necessary to eliminate it and once again transfer the documents for consideration. If the applicant does not agree with the decision, he can make an appointment with the visa department and explain the situation to the consul.
Does Ireland enter Schengen? Many Russians begin to think about this issue immediately before the trip. The country is not included in this zone, so travelers should pre-apply for a national visa. Getting it is not very difficult. To prevent denial, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the requirements of the Irish Embassy.