Ireland’s visa fee structure is simpler than most — there’s no maze of category-specific government charges like the US or UK use. But applicants are still regularly caught off guard by two things: the difference between the visa fee and the separate application-centre service charge, and the fact that neither is refundable if you’re refused. Here’s the full 2026 picture, drawn from Ireland’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD, formerly INIS).
The core visa fee
Ireland charges visa fees per entry type, not per visa category — the same fee schedule applies whether you’re applying to visit, study, or join family, and the only thing that changes it is whether you need one entry or multiple:
| Entry type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single-entry visa | €60 |
| Multiple-entry visa | €100 |
| Transit visa (airport transit only) | €25 |
A single-entry visa lets you enter Ireland once during the visa’s validity window. A multiple-entry visa allows repeated entries and exits during that window — useful for business travellers or anyone with planned trips home during a longer stay. A transit visa only permits you to remain within the transit area of an Irish airport en route to another destination; it does not allow you to pass through Irish immigration control.
Long-stay (Type D) applicants — including students on Stamp 2 permissions and workers on the Critical Skills Employment Permit pathway — pay the same €60 long-stay visa fee in most cases, since a long-stay visa is issued as a single-entry travel document even though the resulting residence permission (Stamp) lasts far longer than the visa itself.
Fee exemptions
You do not pay the visa fee if you are:
- A family member of an Irish citizen, or
- A “qualifying family member” of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen exercising free movement rights.
These exemptions apply to the visa fee specifically — they don’t waive other costs like the €300 Irish Residence Permit (IRP) registration fee you’ll pay after arrival, or biometric/document costs charged separately by the visa application centre in your country.
The service charge most applicants miss
If you apply through a Visa Application Centre (VAC) rather than directly at an Irish embassy — the case for most applicants outside a small number of countries — you’ll also pay a separate service charge, typically €30–€50 depending on the country you’re applying from and which outsourced provider (e.g. VFS Global) operates that centre. This charge covers the VAC’s processing and biometric collection and is paid directly to the centre, not to the Irish government — check your specific VAC’s published fee schedule before booking your appointment, since it varies by location.
What’s non-refundable
The visa fee is an administration charge for processing your application, not a payment for a guaranteed outcome. It is not refunded if your visa is refused, and it is not refunded if you withdraw your application after submitting it. Budget accordingly — reapplying after a refusal means paying the fee again.
After the visa: what else you’ll pay
For anyone moving to Ireland long-term, the visa fee is the smallest line item. Also budget for:
- Irish Residence Permit (IRP) registration: €300 for most non-EEA nationals aged 18+ (some categories, including those on Stamp 4 in certain circumstances, are exempt).
- Proof-of-funds evidence required for study and work permissions — not a fee itself, but often requires a bank statement or blocked-account arrangement.
- Employment permit fees for Ireland’s Critical Skills or General Employment Permit routes, which are charged separately from the visa fee and paid by the employer or employee depending on the scheme.
FAQ
Is the Ireland visa fee the same for every nationality? The fee schedule (€60/€100/€25) is standard, but exemptions for family members of Irish and EU/EEA citizens apply regardless of nationality. Some bilateral waiver agreements exist for a small number of countries — check with your local embassy or VAC if you’re unsure.
Do I pay the visa fee and the IRP fee at the same time? No — the visa fee is paid when you apply for your entry visa before travelling. The IRP registration fee (€300 for most adults) is paid separately after you arrive in Ireland and register your residence permission in person.
Does a multi-entry visa cost more because it lasts longer? Not necessarily — the higher €100 fee reflects the ability to re-enter multiple times, not a longer validity period. Multi-entry and single-entry visas can carry similar validity windows; the difference is purely about how many times you can cross the border.
Can I get a refund if my visa is approved late and I miss my trip? No — the fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome or timing, which is why applying with a comfortable buffer before any planned travel date matters.
This is preparation guidance, not legal advice — fee amounts and exemption rules can change, so always confirm the current schedule on the Immigration Service Delivery website or with your Visa Application Centre before paying. If you’re planning a move to Ireland and want to see the full cost picture across visa, IRP, and permit fees for your specific situation, join the VisaMet waitlist — our AI eligibility check lays out every fee you’ll actually owe, not just the headline visa cost.
Sources: Immigration Service Delivery — Preclearance and entry visas fees, Immigration Service Delivery — visa fee exemptions and refund policy.