Can I travel in southern Irish republic and nothern Ireland from the same visitor visa?

Question

I am planning to spend a three weeks holiday in Ireland. If I get the Irish visitor visa can I travel in southern Irish republic and Nothern Ireland using the same visa ? I have a friend in southern Irish republic and she is willing to sponsor me for my holiday. So she'll give me the visa supporting letter. I'll use this letter to obtain visa. Can I travel in nothern Ireland using the same visa.? Please advise me.

Answer 1

You can travel freely with out border check between Southern Ireland (The Irish Republic) and Northern Ireland.Since the peace process all security checkpoints are gone and there is no hinderence.The currency is different  Euro in the South,Sterling in the North.The speed limits are displayed miles per hour in the North,Kilometers per hour in the South.Try and think of Ireland as an Island if you know what i mean and not as two seperate Countries, which it is not.Enjoy your stay.

Answer 2

You have not given enough information for anyone to answer for sure. It depends on what sort of visa you will get and what your nationality is.

Without knowing this, I would guess no, to be on the safe side.

Answer 3

Strictly, there should be immigration controls between Eire and Northern Ireland. However, treaties between Eire and the UK have allowed citizens of both countries to travel between the two countries without any hindrance. in practice, this has resulted in no immigration checks between the border. You should have no problem travelling between Eire and Northern Ireland if going by car. You may have trouble if flying because the airline may not let you board if you show your passport (in which case you show some other photo id).

Answer 4

OK

This is a very common question about travel between the Republic and Northern Ireland (or the rest of the UK)

They are seperate countries but do have certain arrangements about travel and shared visa areas.

This all depends on what passport you are travelling on.

You will need to contact the British Embassy/Consulate  where you are to confirm this.

At this point you should tell them what kind of Visa you are applying for and when you expect to get it.

In theory it is unlikely that you would be stopped or checked on crossing the border between the republic and the north.

However I'm not sure if they would officially deport you if you did not have the right to visit.  This could affect your ability to enter the UK at any other time.

Do what you can to find out more and good luck.

I hope you enjoy your visit !

Answer 5

It depends on where you are travelling from. If you reside in the EU or USA (amongst other places) you do not need a tourist visa if your stay is not more than 3 months. You do not need a visa to go from the Republic to NI.

The second website gives information on visa requirements for the UK

Answer 6

Some of the people who have answered this question are probably basing their experience on crossing the border by private car.  However, it is very common for immigration officals to board cross border trains and buses due to the significant numbers of illegal immigrants moving between Ireland and the UK via the land border.  I could not recommend travelling to any country without proper documentation regardless of the perceived level of risk.

You haven't stated your nationality so I can't tell you if you even need a visa for Ireland. However, if you need a visa for Ireland it is likely you will need a seperate visa for the UK.

What is most important to remember is that if you arrive in Ireland with a valid Irish visa and tell the immigration officer you intend travelling to the UK you are likely to be refused entry to Ireland if you do not have a valid UK visa because as mentioned by others there are no official border checks between Ireland and UK.

Answer 7

that should be no problem, the borders are open and you can travel freely between them both.

Answer 8

I'm not sure this is possible., you might need another visa to enter the UK.

That said, when you go to Northern Ireland for the Republic there's nothing except a sign that tells you you just entered Northern Ireland.

If you do not get stopped for a control while up North it should be ok, but entering is no problem