Complete the online AVATS application, pay the fee, then submit your passport and documents to the VFS Global Irish visa application centre in Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou within 30 days.

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🇨🇳CHINA

🏳IECN-IE

Do China passport holders need a visa to visit IE?

Q: Does an Irish visa let me enter the Schengen Area or the UK?

No. Ireland is not in Schengen, so an Irish visa does not cover Schengen countries. It also does not cover the UK, unless your visa qualifies under the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS).

Q: Do I need ETIAS for Ireland?

No. ETIAS applies only to the Schengen Area. Ireland is not part of Schengen, so ETIAS does not apply; you need an Irish Short Stay 'C' visa instead.

Q: How long does the Irish visa take and how far ahead should I apply?

Processing is typically around 8 weeks. Apply 8-12 weeks before your intended travel date, as there is no guaranteed fast-track.

Q: How long can I stay on a Short Stay 'C' visa?

Up to 90 days. The dates on the visa are when you may travel to Ireland, not a guarantee of how long you may remain; the immigration officer sets your permission, capped at 90 days.

Chinese ordinary passport holders need a visa to visit Ireland. Apply online for a Short Stay 'C' visit/tourist visa via AVATS before travel. China is on Ireland's visa-required list, so an ordinary Chinese passport holder must obtain a Short Stay 'C' (visit/tourist) visa before traveling. Ireland is NOT part of the Schengen Area and is not in the ETIAS scheme; instead it operates its own national visa regime within the UK-Ireland Common Travel Area. Applications are made online through the AVATS system (visas.inis.gov.ie), after which the printed summary, passport and supporting documents are submitted to the relevant Irish visa office or VFS Global visa application centre in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou). The single-entry C visa costs EUR 60 and the multiple-entry C visa EUR 100, plus a VFS service charge. Processing typically takes around 8 weeks, so applying 8-12 weeks ahead is recommended. The 'C' visa allows a stay of up to 90 days. Note that an Irish visa does not permit entry to the Schengen Area or to the UK; a separate UK visa is needed unless travelling under the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS), which allows a single valid short-stay visa from either country to cover both for Chinese nationals.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Short Stay 'C' visit/tourist visa (national visa, applied via AVATS)

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days

per entry

Entries

Single or multiple entry

from issue date

Visa fee

EUR 60 (single) / EUR 100 (multiple), plus VFS service fee

consular fee only

Processing time

Around 8 weeks (apply 8-12 weeks ahead)

standard track

Validity

Travel within the validity dates printed on the visa; stay capped at 90 days

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm you need a visa

China is on Ireland's visa-required list, so an ordinary Chinese passport holder must obtain a Short Stay 'C' visa before travel. Ireland is not in Schengen and has no ETIAS/visa-on-arrival option.

· visa-required· Short Stay C

/02

Complete the AVATS online application

Fill in the online visa application at the official AVATS portal (visas.inis.gov.ie), selecting visit (tourist) as the reason. Print and sign the application summary sheet.

· AVATS· online

/03

Gather supporting documents

Prepare passport, photos, the signed summary, cover letter, proof of funds, employment/leave evidence, accommodation and return flight bookings, and travel insurance.

· documents

/04

Pay the visa fee and book submission

Pay the EUR 60 (single) or EUR 100 (multiple) visa fee and any VFS service charge, then book an appointment at the VFS Global Irish visa application centre in Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou.

· EUR 60 / 100· VFS

/05

Submit documents and biometrics

Attend the appointment within 30 days of the AVATS submission to hand in your passport and documents and, where required, give biometrics/photo.

· submission· 30 days

/06

Wait for the decision and collect passport

Allow about 8 weeks for processing. Collect your passport with the decision; if approved, travel within the visa's validity dates and stay up to 90 days.

· ~8 weeks· collect

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

Chinese passport valid for the duration of stay (ideally 6+ months) with a blank page

required

Printed and signed AVATS application summary sheet

required

Recent passport-style colour photographs to Irish specification

required

Signed cover letter explaining trip purpose and itinerary

required

Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements for the last 6 months)

required

Employment letter / proof of leave / business registration if self-employed

required

Confirmed accommodation bookings for the whole stay

required

Round-trip flight reservation

required

Travel/medical insurance covering the trip

recommended

Evidence of ties to China (property, family, return obligations)

recommended

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Short Stay 'C' visa - single entryEUR 60Standard tourist/visit visa, one entry

Short Stay 'C' visa - multiple entryEUR 100Allows multiple entries within validity

Transit visaEUR 25Only if transiting through, not visiting

VFS Global service feeEUR 20-50Charged by the visa application centre; varies by location

Total estimateEUR 80 — EUR 150incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard AVATS processing

Around 8 weeks

Normal processing after document submission; apply 8-12 weeks before travel as no guaranteed fast-track exists.

Peak-season / complex cases

8-12+ weeks

Applications during busy periods or needing extra checks can take longer; plan extra buffer.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

China is on Ireland's visa-required list

Irish immigration policy requires all ordinary Chinese passport holders to hold a visa before arrival.

High

/02

Ireland is outside Schengen and ETIAS

Ireland has its own national visa regime within the Common Travel Area, so no Schengen visa or ETIAS covers it.

High

/03

No visa-on-arrival or e-visa for tourists

Entry visas must be obtained in advance via AVATS; there is no arrival or pure e-visa option for Chinese visitors.

Medium

/04

Irish visa does not cover the UK or Schengen

A separate UK visa is needed unless under BIVS; an Irish visa never permits Schengen entry.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30

China to Ireland route verified

Confirmed via the Irish Embassy in China and Immigration Service Delivery that Chinese ordinary passport holders still require a Short Stay 'C' visa applied through AVATS; fees EUR 60 single / EUR 100 multiple; Ireland remains outside Schengen/ETIAS.

/09 — The questions