Ireland entry requirements for United Arab Emirates passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
From 2026, UAE passport holders can visit Ireland without a visa for up to 90 days. No application needed before travel — just arrive at the airport with your passport and a few key documents. This covers tourism, business meetings, and short family visits.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport needs to be valid only for the period you plan to stay in Ireland. Airlines sometimes ask for 6 months validity beyond your departure date — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Ireland | Immigration officers at Dublin and Shannon airports routinely ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave within 90 days. A bus or ferry ticket to Northern Ireland counts as onward travel. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Have a printed or digital hotel confirmation, or a letter from your host with their address and contact number. Officers rarely ask for it, but not having one can slow you down at the counter. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Carry a bank statement or credit card showing you have enough to cover your stay. There is no fixed minimum amount, but around €50–€70 per day is a safe benchmark if asked. | Recommended |
No visa needed, but don't skip the prep
Visa-free doesn't mean no checks. Immigration officers at Dublin Airport can and do ask for return tickets, accommodation proof, and evidence of funds. Have everything ready in your phone or bag.
Overstay = serious trouble
Overstaying even a day can result in a ban from Ireland and affect future travel to the UK and Schengen countries. Set a calendar reminder to leave before day 90.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Dublin Airport (or Shannon/Cork)
You'll join the 'Non-EEA' queue. Have your passport, return ticket, and accommodation confirmation ready. The officer will ask a few questions — purpose of visit, where you're staying, how long. Answer clearly and briefly.
2
Get your entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the date of entry and the allowed stay (usually 90 days). Check the stamp before walking away — if it says fewer days, ask politely for clarification.
3
Collect your luggage and exit
After immigration, head to baggage claim, then customs. Green channel for most tourists. You're free to go.
Download Ireland Entry Checklist
PDF · United Arab Emirates Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost€80 (approx. $87 USD)
For longer stays or if visa-free entry is not available. Apply at Irish embassy.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per visit
ValidityUp to 5 years
Cost€80 (approx. $87 USD)
Allows multiple visits; subject to same 90/180 rule.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayOver 90 days
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€100 (approx. $109 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification. Requires sponsorship.
work visa
Critical Skills Employment Permit
2 years, renewable
€1,000 (approx. $1,090 USD)
For skilled professionals in occupations on the Critical Skills list. Requires a job offer from an Irish employer. Leads to long-term residency.
Apply student visa
Stamp 2 (Student Visa)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€300 (approx. $327 USD)
For full-time students enrolled in a recognised course. Allows part-time work during term and full-time during holidays.
Apply investor visa
Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP)
2 years, renewable
€1,000,000 (approx. $1,090,000 USD) minimum investment
For high-net-worth individuals investing in Irish enterprise or funds. Leads to long-term residency and citizenship pathway.
Apply retirement visa
Stamp 0 (Retirement Visa)
1 year, renewable
€300 (approx. $327 USD)
For retirees with sufficient independent means. Must have private health insurance and not work in Ireland.
Apply Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension costVisa-free stay is not extendable. | N/A |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay is not permitted; may result in deportation and future entry bans. | N/A |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds for stay30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Ireland
No transit visa needed
United Arab Emirates passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Ireland, provided they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsDublin Airport (DUB) · Shannon Airport (SNN) · Cork Airport (ORK)
Health & vaccines for Ireland
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, flu)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTyphoidConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Rare but present in rural areas; avoid tick bites.
Lyme diseaseLow risk
Transmitted by ticks in woodland areas; use repellent.
Seasonal fluModerate risk
Common in winter months; vaccination recommended.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Dublin
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS)
13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, D02 XK70
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:30
Main office for visa and immigration queries. Appointments may be required.
Cork
Cork Immigration Office
Anglesea Street, Cork, T12 YN45
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00
Handles registration and extensions for residents in the Cork area.
Practical information for AE travellers
Country basics
CapitalDublin
LanguageIrish, English
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 12 months.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.88 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h
vs Los Angeles+8h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
GType G (three rectangular prongs)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Ireland.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. The 90-day visa-free stay is for tourism, business meetings, and short family visits only. You cannot take up employment or study a full-time course. For work, you need a valid work visa or permit arranged before travel.
No, the visa-free stay cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a long-stay visa (e.g., work or study) from the Irish embassy in Abu Dhabi before you travel. Overstaying can lead to a ban.
Ireland and the UK are separate countries with separate immigration rules. A visa-free stay in Ireland does not give you any rights to enter the UK. You'll need to check UK visa requirements separately for UAE passport holders.
If you're transiting through an Irish airport to a non-UK destination and staying airside (not passing immigration), you generally do not need a visa. But if you need to clear immigration (e.g., to switch airports or stay overnight), the normal visa-free rules apply — you can enter for up to 90 days.
Overstaying is a serious immigration offence. You may be fined, banned from re-entering Ireland for a period, and it can affect future visa applications to Ireland or other Schengen countries. Always leave before your stamp expires.
Northern Ireland is part of the UK, not Ireland. A visa-free stay in Ireland does not cover Northern Ireland. If you plan to cross the border, check UK visa requirements for UAE passport holders separately.
No. The visa-free arrangement is based on your passport nationality, not your residence. If you hold a passport from a country that requires a visa for Ireland, you must get one regardless of where you live.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.