Ireland entry requirements for Chinese citizens

How long you can stay

Your visa sets how long you can stay.

What you need

• Irish short-stay 'C' visa obtained before travel (applied for online via INIS AVATS) or a valid UK short-stay visitor visa under the visa-waiver arrangements described in the notes
• Valid passport
• Boarding card
• Supporting documents for the Immigration Officer: proof of funds, accommodation details, itinerary, insurance and the visa application papers

Good to know

Chinese (People's Republic of China) nationals are on Ireland's visa-required list (official INIS table). Two routes exist: (1) apply for an Irish short-stay visa (a 'C' visa is valid for up to 3 months per Citizens Information; the Immigration Officer still decides admission and length of stay, up to 90 days); or (2) if you are living in China you may use the British Irish Visa Scheme / Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme: a UK short-stay visitor visa lets you visit Ireland without a separate Irish visa, but only if you have first landed and gained lawful entry to the UK on that visa (each separate UK leave period, up to 180 days, needs a fresh UK entry before travelling to Ireland). Visas endorsed 'BIVS' must be used in the issuing country first. A visa never guarantees entry. The Hong Kong and Macau SARs are on the non-visa list; this row applies to People's Republic of China passport holders generally.

Source Immigration Service Delivery (Ireland) — Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme (India and China nationals eligible) and Visa & Non-Visa Required NationalitiesChecked against the source on 2026-09-21