Live and work in Rep. of Ireland. Can we drive to Northern Ireland for a weekend?

Question

We (me, my wife and 3 yr old daughter) live in Dublin and both of us are working professionals. We hold resident visas.

My mother (Non EU) is with us on a 3 month visit visa and we are planning to drivr to Belfast for 2 days.

Some say we can and some say we might get into trouble. Much appreciated if someone could advice me on this.

Thank you in advance.

Andrew

Answer 1

very easily u could if u hav an irish visa or a visitor visa you will b fine they mostly just look at your driver license and for valid tax and insurance but if your stil not sure get a train that way u avoid the border control and it takes away the stress of driving!!!!!

Answer 2

yeah theres no check point at the borders anymore so hope you have a good time

Answer 3

It depends on the type of visa your mother has. Some visas do not cover you for entry to the UK. Check with the British Embassy in Dublin.

For info: The peace process has nothing to do with border controls. Static border controls (Frontier Posts) were removed in 1993. Even before that there was no Passport Control between Ireland and the UK.

Answer 4

What is your nationality?  As far as I have experienced as an American living in the Republic, we never had problems going back and forth.

Answer 5

there is nothing stopping you driving to the north for the weekend, i dont know what reasons your were told that you would get in trouble for this

Answer 6

Of course !! its an open boarder

Answer 7

Yes 40 year OMG so strict worse than entering America making you speak to get accents,story of why your entering.etc. But thanks to the peace process there is no cross border control anymore but if your a doctor you could lose your job if caught.But you should be able to get there no trouble at all.

Answer 8

Of course you can. Did the same myself last visit as a tourist. It is not a problem at all, there is no passport/papers check. Belfast is a great town, have a good time.

Answer 9

sure, theres no border check or anything!

Youre fine, really!