RSS
News


Home Page > News > How to get through Irish immigration

Blogs


comment on article 11 Comments
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail

How to get through Irish immigration

The IrishCentral guide to safely navigating Irish immigration

By
KELLY FINCHAM
,
IrishCentral.com Editor
Published Friday, July 31, 2009, 1:09 PM
Updated Friday, July 31, 2009, 5:05 PM
Read more: Ireland


United States Passport

Two big stories have prompted us here at IrishCentral.com to create a easy guide for tourists going into Ireland.

Both the Plano 3 and a travel writer were banned from Ireland after inadvertently raising red flags at Irish immigration.

One tourist did not know the address of the place where he was staying and the other did not have a return ticket and no proof of an intending return.

As someone who can barely summon the vocabulary to order a cup of tea after flying through the night I can only sympathize with those who need their wits about them at 6am!

The key thing is to be able to demonstrate to the officer in charge that you have no intention of overstaying your welcome.

You need to know where you're staying, how long you're staying for and how you are going to pay for it all.

It's no different in Ireland than it is in the U.S. or Australia, two countries that I have been lucky enough to live in.

Here then is the IrishCentral.com guide for tourists who want to get through Irish immigration. 

  • Keep your passport up to date: Make sure it does not expire while you are out of the U.S.
     
  • Especially for all you Sean/Johns out there: Make sure your name is consistent on your passport, travel and immigration documents. Don't gove the officer an extra headache with different names on different forms.
     
  • Use roundtrip tickets or, at the very least, be able to prove a return date.
     
  • Know the name and address of the place you will be staying.
     
  • Bring your most recent bank statement so you can show you have enough funds for the trip.
     
  • Pay attention to the officer and be polite.

Bon voyage!

Vote now - Buzz this story up!


How to get through Irish immigration | Irish News | IrishCentral


print this article Print
email this articleE-mail


Most recent comments - See all comments

Report abuse
Posted by Maria138 on Mar 15, 2010, 06:46 AM EDT
I've been to Ireland a few times since 2006...and it has never been a bad experience going through customs. Even though, within the past two years of going, they have been known to ask a bit more questions. They probably won't ever ask for your bank statement but will always ask how long you're staying for, what is the reason behind your visit, and sometimes one will ask you to name off where in Ireland you are staying. But it is always important to make sure to get the custom form from the airline you are using...especially AerLingus...they rarely hand them out anymore and always have to pick them up on the way out of the plane.
Report abuse
Posted by simplesandy on Mar 12, 2010, 10:47 AM EST
hi Madeleine, well as far as I know you're husband is entitled for an Irish passport... I am an American citizen living here in Ireland... not knowing at first that you are only allowed to spend 3 months out of the year here .(same goes for usa also) but someone helped me and now am able to stay longer... as for showing the right documents yes please have all the information they need just out of respect for the country you are entering...
Report abuse
Posted by kickstar on Feb 26, 2010, 02:47 PM EST
They are making it really tough on the few good legal people arriving by Air meanwhile thousands arrive by ferry and via taxi from Northern Ireland..Fact
Report abuse
Posted by mandokeith on Jan 20, 2010, 09:39 AM EST
Going into Ireland is strict, just have all your ducks in a row and it will go fine, Going into the US? If you look like an illegal or a terrorist they let you right in. If you look and act like a proper citizen they treat you like a terrorist. Reaction instead of action to the threat.
Report abuse
Posted by ThomasCoolberth on Jan 09, 2010, 12:00 PM EST
"Both the Plano 3 and a travel writer were banned from Ireland after inadvertently raising red flags at Irish immigration." Sounds like the Irish are doing a good job at border control. Wish it were so for the USA.
Report abuse
Posted by timring on Jan 09, 2010, 11:10 AM EST
Good article. I don't know about the bank statement though. How about a credit card?


Join us - follow IrishCentral.com

Click here to read more about IrishCentral.com.

About Us

IrishCentral is the website about everything Irish for everyone Irish -- the 70 million people around the world who trace their roots to the Emerald Isle.

You'll find the most-fascinating stories from the United States, Ireland and the global Irish world, including the latest in news, entertainment, celebrity gossip, travel and vacations, sports, food and drink, Irish ancestry and genealogy, immigration, religion, business and opinion. (close)


Fan us

Google Buzz

Follow Us




remember me on this computer
forget your password?     
IrishCentral.com is also home to Irish Voice and Irish America magazine