The most common mistake with an Ireland visa is this: people want to go to Dublin on a Schengen visa. It does not work. Ireland is a member of the European Union but is not in the Schengen zone and requires its own visa. A British visa does not get you into Ireland either. In other words, Ireland needs a separate application.
In this article we explain how the Irish short-stay visa is obtained, the AVATS online system, the role of the VFS centre in Baku, the fee and the long processing time that is particular to Ireland.
An Ireland visa: the basics
| Visa type | Short-stay «C» visa |
| Application | Online, in the AVATS system |
| Where do the documents go? | The VFS Global centre in Baku |
| Who decides? | The Irish embassy in Ankara |
| Consular fee | 60 euros single entry, 100 euros multiple entry |
| Processing time | From 5 working days to 6–8 weeks |
| Length of stay | Up to 90 days |
| Direct flight | None, via Istanbul or London |
How to get an Ireland visa: step by step
- The application on AVATS. The online form is filled in on the AVATS system of the Irish Immigration Service. At the end the system gives you a summary page, which you print and sign.
- An appointment at VFS. The VFS Global centre in Baku accepts Irish applications. You book a slot on the site.
- Handing in the documents. The summary, the passport, the photo and the documents are given in at the centre, and the fee and VFS’s service charge are paid. Fingerprints are not currently required of citizens of Azerbaijan, but that may change.
- The decision. The documents are sent to the Irish embassy in Ankara and the decision is made there. The embassy publishes a weekly decision report where you can see the outcome by your application number.
- The passport. It is returned to the VFS centre with the visa sticker.
One important condition: the Ankara embassy accepts applications only from people lawfully resident in Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia. For a citizen of Azerbaijan that is not a problem. The official rules are set out on the visa page of the Irish embassy in Ankara.
The documents for an Ireland visa
Ireland approaches documents the way Britain does: there is no interview and the decision is made on the papers alone. The documents must be in English or come with a certified translation.
The fee is not refunded whatever the outcome. A refusal states the reason and you may appeal free of charge within 2 months, which is a difference from Britain and a useful one.
Read next: A United Kingdom visa: 135 pounds, 3 weeks and a process in which the documents speak for you
How do you get from Baku to Dublin?
There is no direct flight. People fly to Dublin with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and with AZAL plus Aer Lingus or Ryanair via London. On a London transit, as long as you do not leave Heathrow’s transit zone, no British visa is needed; but as Ryanair flies from Stansted and Gatwick, changing airports within London does require a British visa. So flying via Istanbul is simpler. Baku–Dublin air ticket prices are close to the British routes.
Seeing Ireland together with Britain means two separate visas. Some cheap Europe tours offer a London–Dublin itinerary, and in that case both applications have to be prepared in parallel and the total time should be no less than 2 months.
Frequently asked questions about the Ireland visa
How many days does an Ireland visa take?
Officially from 5 working days to 8 weeks. In practice applications from Baku take 3–6 weeks, because the documents travel to Ankara and back. Apply at least 2 months before the trip.
I have a British visa, do I need an Ireland visa?
Yes, you do. The common visa scheme between Britain and Ireland applies only to citizens of certain countries, and Azerbaijan is not among them.
Can you cross into Northern Ireland?
No. Northern Ireland is part of Britain and a British visa is needed for it. Even though there is no border check between Dublin and Belfast, crossing without a visa is unlawful.
In closing
An Ireland visa is obtained separately; Schengen and British visas do not work. The process resembles Britain’s, but takes longer and carries a free right of appeal against a refusal. The Viza.az team helps with filling in the AVATS application, translating the documents and putting the folder together to Ireland’s requirements.
You can read more about the Ireland destination and the service fees or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is as of the publication date. Fees and VFS’s rules can change, so look at the official pages once more before you apply.
