To launch an on-line application please click here .
It is no longer possible to apply using a downloaded/paper application form.
INFORMATION NOTE TO ASSIST APPLICANTS
An information note has been prepared to assist applicants. This is available in English, and also in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Turkish and Urdu.
USING A COURIER TO SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO THE VISA OFFICE IN ABU DHABI
Upon completion of your online application you can send your supporting documents and passport to the visa office in Abu Dhabi by courier using either ARAMEX or DHL. Both of these courier companies can pay the visa fees on your behalf and return your passport / visa to Kuwait after the visa office has made a decision. You can also use alternative courier companies but we cannot guarantee that they can arrange to pay the fee for your visa application. You should check with the relevant courier company if you are in doubt.
WE STRONGLY ADVISE APPLICANTS NOT TO PAY FOR AIRLINE OR OTHER TRAVEL TICKETS WITHOUT HAVING BEEN ISSUED WITH A VISA. PRODUCTION OF A CONFIRMED TRAVEL BOOKING IS NOT REQUIRED FOR AN IRISH VISA APPLICATION.
The Irish Visa Office in Abu Dhabi is based at the Embassy of Ireland, Abu Dhabi, UAE. We can only accept visa applications which have been made on line. Applicants are reminded that completing the on-line application form is only the first step in the visa application process. An application can only be processed when the on-line form is completed AND the required supporting documentation, passport photograph and appropriate fee are received by the relevant office as indicated by the on-line system.
PROCESSING TIMES:
Please note that these are indicative processing times only. Applications are dealt with in the order they are received and can take longer than the stated timeframes below depending on the volume of applications being received, the time of year (especially peak periods) or the level of complexity of a particular visa application. The onus is on ‘you’ the applicant, to ensure that your full and complete application is submitted in sufficient time for a decision to be made before your travel date.
IMPORTANT: Regardless of indicative processing times below you ‘should’ always apply for your visa well in advance and allow at least 2-3 weeks for your application to be processed.
PLEASE ENSURE YOU READ THE “SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS” SECTION ON THIS WEBSITE SO THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF WHAT DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO SUBMIT WITH YOUR VISA APPLICATION. Applications received without the necessary supporting documents or information will delay the processing of your application or may result in it being refused.
Provided that all the required documents have been supplied and are in order, Short Stay C type visas are generally processed within 1-5 working days from the time the application ‘is received’ by courier at the INIS Visa Office in Abu Dhabi. You should allow extra time to allow for a courier to send your application and to return your passport/visa. We recommend you allow a ‘minimum’ of 3 working days for this. The visa office cannot be held responsible for delays in applications being received or passports returned due to couriers. Processing may take longer at certain times of the year or depending on the complexity of the application.
Provided that all the required documents have been supplied and are in order, Long Stay D type visas may take longer to process and you should allow at least 10 working days for these visas to be processed, including time allowed for a courier to send and return the visa applications/ passports. Processing may take longer at certain times of the year or depending on the complexity of the application.
Provided that all the required documents have been supplied and are in order, Residency Long Stay D type visas (Join Family of Irish/EU Spouse or Parent) you should allow 15 working days for such visas to be processed, including time allowed for a courier to send and return the visa applications/passports. Processing may take longer at certain times of the year or depending on the complexity of the application.
Applicants from Qatar should send their applications to:
Irish Visa Office, Embassy of Ireland,
1 and 2 Khalifa Al Suwaidi Development
19th Street (off 32nd Street)
Al Bateen
P.O. Box 61581
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Payment Options
The Irish Visa Office cannot accept personal cheques, foreign currency or postal orders. The visa fees must be paid in UAE Dirhams directly to the Abu Dhabi Visa Office. Without receiving the visa fee we cannot process your application.
Paying by Bank Transfer
If you are not using a courier such as Aramex or DHL who can pay the visa fee for you it is possible to pay the visa fee directly to the Visa Office’s bank account. The method of payment will be by bank transfer and evidence of transfer of the payment will be required to be provided with your papers to be sent by courier or alternative secure mail to the Embassy of Ireland Abu Dhabi. The fee for processing your visa application will be 360 AED for a single entry visa. In circumstances where a multiple entry visa may be granted the fee will be 600 AED. A transit visa will cost 25 euros. You can pay the fee in your local currency at the relevant AED exchange rates. You should refer to www.inis.gov.ie for information as to when a multiple entry visa may be granted. The details can be found on the site at the section dealing with visa fees. This section of the site also provides details as to when a fee may not be required.
The visa fees mentioned above must be paid in full – depending on the visa being sought. These fees are required to undertake an examination of the application. Any commission charges payable to your bank or the receiving bank in Abu Dhabi cannot be deducted from the visa fee. If there are charges from the sending and receiving bank you must provide sufficient funds to cover these costs. You should check these costs with your bank and cover the cost of the sending and receiving bank. It will not be possible to examine applications where the correct fee has not been provided. Deductions cannot be made from the visa fee amount for commission charges of the banks.
You must enclose a confirmation of payment. When making the payment to the bank you should also indicate your name or your AVATS reference number on the lodgement slip. This is to ensure we are easily able to match your application to the fees received in our bank account. Only when you have checked the requirements for the visa you are seeking and have all of the necessary papers should you send the application for assessment. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT A RECEIPT OF PAYMENT WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL THE VISA OFFICE HAS EVIDENCE OF THE FEES HAVING BEEN PAID FOR THAT APPLICATION TO THE BANK A/C.
The bank account details are as follows:
Name of holder: Embassy of Ireland, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Account number: 6202417770
Bank: National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Main Branch, Khalifa
Street, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Swiftcode: NBADAEAA
IBAN No: AE220350000006202417770
Supporting documentation
You must also ensure that ‘all’ the required supporting documentation accompanies your visa application otherwise your visa application cannot be processed or will be delayed. It is your responsibility to ensure you have sent our Visa Office all the necessary documents in order for a decision to be made. You will find the list of supporting documentation required for the main types of visas here.
Original Documents: If you wish to have original documents returned you should state this in your application and also provide photocopies of the originals. We can return original documents via the courier when your passport is being returned to you. However, you should state what documents you wish returned. Otherwise it will be your responsibility to arrange for a courier to collect documents held at our visa office.
If my application has been turned down, how do I appeal the decision?
If you are refused a visa you may appeal this decision in
writing only to the Visa Appeals Officer at:
Visa Appeals Officer
Embassy of Ireland
1 and 2 Khalifa Al Suwaidi Development
19th (off 32nd Street)
Al Bateen
P.O. Box 61581
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Any further information or additional documentation which you wish to have taken into account should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer. Provision of such additional documentation will be considered but does not guarantee approval of the application. The visa reference number must be quoted on all future correspondence along with your name and nationality.
How do I lodge an appeal?
Appeals must be in written form and posted to the Visa Appeals Officer at the above address. Faxed or emailed appeals will not be considered. No appeal will be allowed if you are found to have given false or misleading information in any part of your application.
Is there a time limit?
Yes, you should submit your appeal within 2 months of the refusal date.
How much does it cost?
There is no charge for an appeal against refusal of a visa.
What happens when I make my appeal?
On receipt of the appeal the Appeals Officer will review the application again, taking account of any further comments you have made in the grounds of appeal and of any supporting documentation. On examination and review the original decision may be reversed. If the Appeals Officer does not alter the decision, you will be notified in writing.
How long will my appeal take?
4-6 weeks from receipt of appeal.
You should submit your appeal by courier or in person ‘directly’ to the Abu Dhabi Visa office and ‘not’ to the Consulate or Embassy in your country. If you do submit your appeal to a consulate or Embassy you may be asked to pay the full courier costs and/or any administrative charges associated with sending the appeal. The Embassy or Consulate will not be responsible for the cost or delivery of your appeal papers to the Abu Dhabi Visa Office. Neither will they offer you any assistance with regard what documents or information you should send with an appeal to Abu Dhabi. You should follow the procedures on this website on how to submit your appeal to the Abu Dhabi Visa Office.
