Do citizens of Ireland need a visa for United Kingdom? — Visa-free
Here's the current entry requirement for citizens of Ireland travelling to United Kingdom for tourism — and what to sort out before you go.
Visa-free
With your Ireland passport you can enter United Kingdom without a visa for short stays. Just travel with a valid passport and a return ticket.
United Kingdom has 3 things to do before you fly
Add your flight date and this becomes dated steps — plus a calendar file you keep.
Optional. No account, no email.
Visa cost indicative
Indicative figures compiled from third-party sources — not official, and not a fee charged by packset.travel. Always confirm the current fee on the official government site before you apply.
Good to know
- Most visitors from visa-exempt countries (Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and others) need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) — not a full visa — for stays of up to 6 months. British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA.
- Nationals who are NOT visa-exempt — including Russian citizens — cannot use the ETA and must apply for a full Standard Visitor visa before travelling.
- The Standard Visitor visa (up to 6 months) costs £135. Apply online at GOV.UK, pay the fee (charged in USD, non-Russian card required), then give biometrics at a VFS Global centre (Moscow, St Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk or Rostov-on-Don).
- You can apply up to 3 months before travel. Official processing is about 3 weeks (15 working days) after biometrics, but in practice it can take longer. A visa authorises travel but is not a guarantee of entry.
- An ETA authorises travel to the UK but is not a visa and is not a guarantee of entry; most ETA applicants get a decision within minutes (allow up to 3 working days).
Travelling on a passport from Ireland, you can enter United Kingdom visa-free for short tourist stays. Carry a passport valid for your whole trip and proof of onward travel; border officers may still ask about your plans and funds.
Before you fly
United Kingdom is one of 95 countries you can just walk into.
Scratch off where you have actually been. Light foil came free, dark foil cost you a visa — the sheet remembers which.
Frequently asked questions
With your Ireland passport you can enter United Kingdom without a visa for short stays. Just travel with a valid passport and a return ticket.
The exact length of stay depends on the visa or permit you're granted for United Kingdom. Check the conditions on your entry document or with the embassy.
At a minimum, a passport valid for your stay and, where required, the relevant visa or travel authorization. United Kingdom may also check onward tickets, accommodation and sufficient funds.
Indicative costs for United Kingdom: eTA: 20 GBP; Tourist: 135 GBP. These figures are compiled from third-party sources — not official, and not a fee charged by packset.travel. Confirm the current fee and apply on the official government site (linked above) before you travel.
For reference only
This visa information is provided for general guidance only and may be out of date. Entry rules change frequently and depend on your specific circumstances. Always confirm requirements with the official authorities of your destination and your airline before travelling. packset.travel accepts no liability for any inaccuracies or for any loss arising from reliance on this information.
Let's pack. We'll seed the calculator with your destination's weather, currency and plug types for your dates.