The world is fast becoming globalized, which means that more business opportunities can take you abroad. so, to make this happen, the Irish business visa is your key to going for business in the country. In this guide, you will get all the information you will need to get an Irish business visa successfully.
WHAT IS A BUSINESS VISA?
It is also known as the Type C short-stay visa and it is for people who want to go to Ireland for business reasons like meetings, to sign contracts, engage in negotiations, or even do work that will not take more than 14 days. The visa is usually for 90 days and if you have it you cannot do any paid or unpaid work after the fourteen days duration so if the business you go there for will last more than that you have to apply for a C employment visa, and having this visa also means you cannot get an Irish public service and benefits during your stay there.
DO YOU NEED A BUSINESS VISA?
You will if you are traveling from a country that needs a visa but if you are a citizen of the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and some other nations that do not need visas that means you are exempt but you will need to know how long you will be staying because you cannot extend a business visa except in some situations.
It is also important you know the specific requirements you need to meet and if you are eligible for it before you start your application.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Before you start your application, you need to have the following:
- A passport that would be valid even after six months when you leave Ireland and also provide copies of your previous passports.
- You need to include two recent passport-sized photos.
- An application summary sheet with the date you finished filling it and your signature.
- properly written application letter that shows the reason for your trip, the plans you have made for your accommodation, the dates you plan to arrive and leave the country, and also include if you have any family members in Ireland, Switzerland, and any of the EU/EEA countries.
- Submit a commitment form along with your application letter to affirm that you will adhere to all visa conditions, declare that you will not become a financial burden to the country, and state that you will leave the country when or before your visa expires.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
The process is the same as the other types of short-stay ‘C’ visas;
- Start your application by filling out the forms online through the AVATS portal.
- Pay your application fee.
- Submit all your documents and the supporting documents for processing.
On the AVATS portal, choose the type of C visa you are applying for by clicking Business and you can also select if you want a single entry visa or a multiple entry business visa.
APPLICATION FEE
The fees for the ‘C’ visa are:
- Single entry: 60 euro
- Multiple entry: 100 euro
Some extra costs might be added like consular fees, miscellaneous charges, and biometrics, so you need to know the fee structure that will apply to you.
AFTER YOUR APPLICATION
When you submit your application and all your documents, your application process will start and in some cases, you might be asked to go and give your biometric data at the embassy.
The embassy might do background checks to verify your business and things related to you and for this, they can work with Irish law enforcement agencies and foreign ones like INTERPOL.
If your visa application is successful, authorities will stamp it with the business visa, authorizing you to travel to Ireland for business purposes. However, if they deny your application, you will receive a refusal letter explaining the reasons.
You must keep all the original documents you used for your application and carry them with you when traveling to Ireland, including your passport, as officials will check these at the port of entry.
BUSINESS VISA PROCESSING TIME
Usually, it takes about eight weeks to process your application from the day you submit it, but the embassy you choose can also affect the processing time. The applications are processed on a first-come-first-serve basis, so if there are many pending applications ahead of yours, it might take longer to process yours. Delays can also occur during holidays and peak periods. To avoid unnecessary delays, try to apply three months before your planned travel date and ensure all your documents are complete. If the embassy requests additional documents, the eight-week waiting period will restart.
BUSINESS VISA VALIDITY
It is usually valid for 90 days and the date it will expire will be on the visa stamp on your passport so you need to remember that you cannot extend the visa unless in some situations. Make sure you follow all the visa policies and leave the country on or before your visa expires so that you do not face legal issues like deportation that will even affect you when you want to apply for a visa again.