Short Stay 'C' Visa

A Short Stay ‘C’ visa is for coming to Ireland for a short visit, usually as a tourist, to visit family or friends, attend business meetings, take a short course, get married, or receive medical treatment. It is a permission to travel for up to 90 days, with the final permission to enter decided at the border when you arrive.

We help clients document the purpose of their visit, funding, accommodation and plans to leave Ireland. The application should explain these arrangements clearly and support them with evidence.

Who needs one

Visa-required nationals must apply for the correct short stay visa before travelling to Ireland. The application is made from the country where the applicant normally lives, or from a country where they have permission to stay, and the documents are sent to the office named on the AVATS summary form.

Choose the visa type that matches the reason for travel. Visiting relatives usually requires a family or friend visit application, while meetings, contract negotiations or limited business activity may require the business route. Each category has its own document requirements.

A visa allows travel to Ireland, with entry decided by the immigration officer at the border. Carry copies of the key documents showing the purpose of the visit and arrangements for returning home.

What it allows

The ordinary Short Stay ‘C’ visit visa allows a person to remain in Ireland for a visit of up to 90 days if admitted at the border. It covers tourism, visiting family or friends, a short course, marriage, or medical treatment, depending on the route selected and the evidence provided.

Tourist and family or friend visit routes do not allow paid or unpaid work or reliance on publicly funded services. The business route covers business purposes and work lasting 14 days or less, subject to that visa’s conditions.

The documents should support a temporary visit. Evidence of relocation, resignation from employment or enrolment on a longer programme may conflict with the stated plan. Explain the visit dates, funding, accommodation and reasons for returning home consistently.

What the application has to show

A short stay file has to prove identity, travel history, the reason for the visit, the money available, accommodation arrangements, and the applicant’s intention to leave Ireland. For a family or friend visit, the relationship with the person in Ireland should be evidenced, and the Irish host’s letter should match the dates, address and level of support shown elsewhere.

Explain large bank lodgements and provide evidence of any sponsor’s income and support. Where a host is providing accommodation or paying costs, include documents showing what they will cover and how they can afford it.

Provide evidence of reasons to return home. Employment letters, approved leave, study enrolment, family responsibilities, property, business ownership and travel history may be relevant where genuine and documented. We review these records alongside the Irish invitation.

Where applications go wrong

Check that the documents support the selected category. A tourism application needs an itinerary, a family visit needs relationship evidence, and a business visit needs a clear explanation of the planned activity.

Recent deposits, salary payments without matching employment evidence and unsupported offers of financial help can lead to queries. Document the source of funds, particularly where several people are paying for the trip.

Previous refusals must be disclosed. Several visa categories require details of past visa refusals, and omission can affect the application. The history and any changes since the earlier decision should be explained accurately.

How we prepare these cases

We identify the short stay category and prepare a document list for the visit. This covers the traveller, host, funding arrangements and evidence of the applicant’s circumstances at home.

Before you submit, we check that names, dates, addresses, financial records, invitation letters and employment evidence are consistent. We identify missing documents or explanations so they can be addressed during preparation.

Common questions

Can I extend a Short Stay 'C' visa after I arrive?

A Short Stay 'C' visa is granted for a short visit and is planned around leaving Ireland within the permission given at the border. If something unexpected happens after arrival, the position depends on the facts and the documents available.

Can I work during a short visit?

A visit visa for tourism or family visits does not allow paid or unpaid work. A short stay business visa is a separate category and covers business purposes, with work lasting 14 days or less only where the published conditions are met.