>  GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ALL VISA TYPES

GUIDELINES

1. Application Forms

• Type or write clearly in BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS when completing application forms
• You must answer all questions on the application form. Incomplete application forms will be considered invalid. The application form should be submitted in triplicate.
• You must sign the application form. If you have had assistance in completing this form you should only sign it when you are satisfied that all information is true and correct .

2. Photograph

Each application must include a recent passport sized colour photograph of each person included in the application (including children).
The photographs should be: No more than 6 months old Minimum size 35mm x 45mm, maximum size 38mm x 50mm Printed on photographic paper Sharp and clear, and taken against a plain white or light grey background A frontal pose looking directly at the camera and showing full face.
The face should take up 70-80% of the photograph. The expression should be neutral with both eyes open and mouth closed. There should be no hair covering the eyes. Only head coverings worn for religious reasons are permitted. Hair bands are not allowed Sunglasses are not acceptable.
If glasses are worn they should be of clear glass so that the eyes are visible NOTE: please print your name clearly on the back of all photographs submitted – do not attach the photograph to your application form or summary sheet.

3. Submitting documents and other material in support of your application

• Submission of false or misleading information will result in a visa application being refused. This will also be taken into account in any future visa application the applicant might make.
• Applicants should expect verification checks to be undertaken in respect of the information and documents supplied.
• Originals of all documents must be submitted along with a translated copy in English. Documents not translated from Chinese to English will not be considered.
• Please supply one photocopy of all documents that you would like returned to you. If you do not supply a photocopy the original document will not be returned to you.Please note, for applications lodged at the Consulate in Shanghai , 2 photocopies of all documents are required for Study, Visit and Join Family visas applications.
• Three passport-size colour photographs, taken in the previous six months , should be attached to the application form.
• The onus is on you the applicant to supply independently verifiable information in order to establish that your visa application is genuine.

4. Passport

• The passport must be submitted with the visa application.
• Please include a photocopy of the passport biopage, all visas and all stamps
• The passport must have no less than six months validity from the date of the completion of the course.
• If you held a passport previous to your current valid passport or are currently travelling on a replacement passport you must submit the original of your old passport with your application. If you no longer have the original of an old passport you must submit a photocopy of the passport. Photocopies of old passports must include every page of the passport, not just those with visas. Y ou must clearly explain why you replaced your old passport and include any relevant police reports in your application. A decision on a visa application will not be issued until all relevant passports are seen by the Visa Office.

5. Interview

• Visa applicants are not generally required to attend for an interview, however the Visa Office reserves the right to request an applicant to attend for interview on a case-by-case basis.

6. Medical Check

• Visa applicants are not required to have a medical check before a visa is issued.

7. Children under sixteen years of age

From November 27th 2008, a separate visa will be required by all dependents, even if they are included on your passport. Therefore a visa application needs to be completed for each person wishing to travel to Ireland. A visa processing fee is payable for each application.Children under 16 years of age traveling on their own travel documents, whether in the company of a parent/legal guardian or not, must be in possession of a valid visa.

8. Travel tickets should not be bought until a decision has been made and the applicant's documents have been returned to them.

9. General Advice: Adhering to the following will ensure that your application is processed without delay:

• Submit all requisite documents with your application.
• Arrange documents in a logical order
• Do not send documents to the Visa Office prior to lodging your application.
• Read and take note of all relevant information on this website and on the visa application form before submitting your application
• Do not use any clips, staples or files to attach sheets together in your application.

LODGING YOUR APPLICATION

Visa Fees :
Standard non-refundable visa application processing fees apply as follows:

Fees for visa applications lodged in Beijing may be paid in cash or by Chinese postal order only. For applications from Mongolia only, US or EURO bank drafts will also be accepted.   Cash is the only method of payment accepted at the Consulate in Shanghai .

• Please carry the exact change if you intend to pay by cash
• Postal orders should be made out to: 爱尔兰使馆 ( The Embassy of Ireland) . The applicants name and date of birth should be written in the comments at the bottom of the postal order
• Bank drafts must be made out to: Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland . The applicants name and date of birth should be written on the back of the bank draft

Where to apply:
If you are resident in Shanghai , Zhejiang , Anhui , Jiangxi or Jiangsu province then you may submit your visa application to:

Processing times may vary for Visit, Study and Join Family visa applications lodged at the Consulate in Shanghai . Every effort will be made to expedite the process, but at peak times applications lodged at the Consulate in Shanghai may take 20-30 working days to process.

If you are resident in Hong Kong then you may submit your visa application to:

If you are resident in any other area of the People's Republic of China , Mongolia or Cambodia you may submit your visa application to the Visa Office in Beijing . The application can be submitted by post or by calling to the Visa Office.

The Beijing Visa Office is open to the public during the following times
09:30 – 12:00 ; 14:30 – 16:00 Monday to Friday.

You can have your documents returned to you in three different ways. When making your application please state which method you would like to choose.
1. Counter collection
2. Registered mail - There is currently no charge for this service
3. Express Mail Service - If you would like your documents returned to you within China by EMS please include RMB 50 to cover the EMS fee. For EMS fees to Cambodia and Mongolia please include 150 RMB or 18 US dollars. If you choose to have your documents returned to you by post please supply your full postal address. Chinese applicants should write their address clearly in Chinese characters.

BEFORE TRAVELING TO IRELAND

If your application is approved please check that all details on the visa are correct. If you have any questions in relation to the requirements and /or limitations of the visa please contact this office.

Please note that a visa is a form of pre-entry clearance. It does not guarantee entry to the State. Immigration Officers at point of entry to the State are entitled to deny access and to question a person regarding their bona fides. Visa holders are subject to normal immigration control at the port of entry.

You should carry your school letter of acceptance / letter of invitation and / or other documents for presentation to Immigration Officers.

AFTER I ARRIVE IN IRELAND

An individual who holds a valid visa does not necessarily have permission to stay in Ireland . The date of validity shown on the visa indicates only the date before which it must be presented to an Immigration Officer. The length of stay is decided by an Immigration Officer at the port of entry and will reflect the purpose of your journey. Irish law does not provide for a permanent residence visa.

If your intended stay is less than 90 days in duration, and your application for a visa is successful, you will be issued with a ‘C' visa. On being granted leave to land in the State you have permission to remain for no more than ninety days. Extensions of permission to remain will be granted in exceptional circumstances only.

If your intended stay is 90 days or more in duration, and your application for a visa is successful, you will be issued with a ‘D' visa. On being granted leave to land in the State you must register with the Garda (police) within ninety days of your arrival in the State.

Visa applicants require a valid visa each time they enter the State, including entry via the United Kingdom . This also applies to individuals who have current permission to reside in the State.

A visa applicant who submitted false or misleading information in support of his/her application may become liable for prosecution and/or subject to deportation.

You are not permitted under Irish law to involve yourself in any other activity or to remain in the State for any purpose other than that for which the visa was specifically granted.

A person wishing to undertake any activity in Ireland other than that for which his/her visa was granted must leave the State and apply for a new visa. The applicant may not return to Ireland while awaiting a decision on his/her new application

For information on obtaining a re-entry visa while in the State please contact the Department of Foreign Affairs

A visa holder who remains in the State longer than the permitted period may become liable for prosecution and/or subject to deportation.

WHAT IF MY VISA APPLICATION IS REFUSED?

If your application has been refused and you still wish to travel to Ireland you may either appeal the decision or make a new application.

If you decide to make a new application your previous immigration history will be taken into account.

If you believe that the decision made was incorrect you should appeal this decision to the Appeals Officer.

In some cases not all aspects of an application will have been checked before arriving at the initial decision. During the appeal process the entire application will be re-examined in full.

You will receive a detailed list of the reasons why your application was refused when you are notified of the decision. An appeal must be submitted in writing, fully addressing all the reasons for refusal to the Visa Appeals Officer. Supply good, clear, relevant evidence in your appeal to address any deficiencies in your initial application. Please note that as of the 15th April 2009, if your visa application has been refused on the basis of false documentation submitted there will be no right of appeal given to you. If you receive a refusal letter, it will state clearly in your letter if you have a right of appeal or not.

The appeal must be lodged within 2 months of the date of the refusal letter. There is no processing fee for an appeal.

Appeals received by email or fax will not be processed.

Please address your appeal to:

If you have questions that are not answered on this website then please contact us for further information.