Indians to fall under new Irish Visa Waiver Programme

Alan Shatter, the Justice and Defence Minister for the Republic of Ireland said that “This is a major change in public policy. It is the first time that Ireland has contemplated such a programme and as such it is proposed that it be pilot tested from July of this year to October 12th. The programme will have real and tangible benefits for the nationals of the 14 or so countries (who currently require a visa to come here) participating in the scheme and it will provide a much needed shot in the arm for the hard pressed tourist industry.”

The new scheme will not only apply to Indian Nationals but also to individuals from the fourteen countries detailed below:

  • India
  • China
  • Russia
  • Belarus
  • Montenegro
  • Serbia
  • Turkey
  • Uzbekistan
  • Ukraine
  • Bahrain
  • Kuwait
  • Qatar
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Saudi Arabia

The Irish Government has also said that it will not charge the 60 Euro per person visa application charge if you already hold a valid UK visa. Mr Shatter said on this that “for a family of four, say from India, which travels to London for the Olympics next year and which would like to have a \’side-trip\’ to Ireland, participation in this Programme will result in a saving of 240 Euros to them.\”

At the moment Indian nationals are required to gain a separate visa if they wish to travel to the Republic of Ireland. Unlike many other parts of Europe the Republic of Ireland is not a member of the Schengen Area therefore it is not possible simply to gain a Schengen Visa and then travel freely throughout the member states.

Commonwealth Contractors

Commonwealth Contractors is a collection of highly skilled professionals from the Commonwealth and beyond. We partner with OISC Registered Immigration Partners capable of professionally representing a Tier 1 Visa Application / Extension and Tier 2 Licensed Consultancy & Associated Trust Partners who may be prepared, where required, to sponsor a doctor on a Tier 2 Visa (formerly UK Work Permit). Commonwealth Contractors also provides updates on UK Immigration News.

To find out more call Commonwealth Contractors now on 0330 390 9021 or Submit your Details and we will get back to you. Please be prepared to send a copy of a recent CV so that we can pass to interested partners.

contact_us_tiny