Specific Guidance for Residents of Jamaica

This guidance is intended only for persons who reside in Jamaica. If you reside in another country, you should check HERE to determine which Irish Embassy or Consulate serves your country of residence.

Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland?

A visa is required by Jamaican nationals to visit Ireland.

If you reside in Jamaica but are a national of another country, please click HERE to determine whether you require a visa to visit Ireland (this will take you the Visa Check facility of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS))

Commencing your Visa Application

Where you require a visa to visit Ireland the first required step in the application process is to submit an online application using the AVATS Online Visa Application Facility (click this link) of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).

You may apply for a visa WITHIN THREE MONTHS before your date of intended travel to Ireland. Please do not submit your visa application before this three month window as it will not be processed and your documents will be returned to you. As visa processing times can be lengthy, it is advisable to apply as early as possible within this three month window.

Please carefully follow the online instructions given as you complete the application online. Please carefully note your Visa Application Transaction Number. You will need it to check progress on your application or in any communications relating to your visa application.

Upon completion of the online visa application process, you are required to print the Summary Sheet generated from your online application and to sign and date same. This will also outline the documentation you need to send to the Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa, Canada in order to complete the application process (see below).

Visa Fees

There is no charge for visas issued by Ireland to Jamaican nationals. If you are a national of another country and require a visa, a charge will apply. Please check HERE for current charges.

Visa Categories

Where you require a visa to visit Ireland, a Short-Term "C" visa is needed for visits up to a maximum of 90 days. Generally a single-entry visa should be applied for unless your travel plans require a multiple-entry visa. Multiple-entry visas only granted in restricted circumstances.

The following table highlights the various categories of short-term visa available - please click on the link that best describes your intended purpose of travel to Ireland. This will take you to the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) website which lists the documentation required to support an application for the visa category you choose.

Short-Stay "C" Visas (90 days or less)

Long-Term "D" Visas (over 90 days)

Long-term "D" visas are required for longer-term stays in Ireland. Click HERE for further details.

Completing your Visa Application

You should complete your visa application by compiling all of the following which should then BE COURIERED BY YOU to the Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa, Canada (see below):

1. AVATS Summary Sheet: A print-out of the Summary Sheet from your completed and submitted online AVATS application (which you must also sign and date);


2. Application Letter: You should type or write a letter explaining why you want to come to Ireland. Please ensure that you SIGN and DATE your letter. Your letter must include:
   • your full name and postal address;
   • the reason you want to come to Ireland;
   • Dates you plan to arrive and leave;
   • a commitment from you that you will: (i) Obey the conditions of your visa in full; (ii) not rely on public services (eg public hospitals) or become a burden on the State; (iii) leave Ireland before your immigration permission expires
3. Passport: You are required to include your current original passport (i.e. not a photocopy);


4. Passport Photos: Please send 2 photos (meeting the criteria highlighted HERE) with your name and visa application reference number on the reverse;


5. Other Supporting Documentation: When you complete the online AVATS application process) you will be advised as to what additional supporting documentation should accompany your application. Where original documentation is specified, please do not send a photocopy as this will prevent your application from being processed. You should keep a photocopy of all original documentation provided for your records.


6. Visa Fee: The applicable visa fee is listed HERE (click link), unless you are a Jamaican national in which case there is no charge for an Irish visa. This may be paid by either bank draft or credit card (see below).


7. Documentation Return Fee: A Documentation Return Fee is required to be paid (in Canadian dollars) to the Embassy of Ireland (click HERE for current rate (at time of writing - CDN$120)) to enable the Embassy to return your passport and specific original documentation to you after your visa application has been processed. This may be paid by either bank draft or credit card (see below).


8. Credit Card Authorisation Form: You may pay the Documentation Return Fee and, where applicable, the Documentation Transmission Fee and Visa Fee by credit card. To do so, please complete, sign and date this Credit Card Authorisation Form (click link) and include with your application. Please ensure that all applicable fees are included as your application will not otherwise be processed and may result in a DENIAL of visa in certain circumstances.


9. Canadian Dollar (CDN$) Bank Draft: You may pay the Documentation Return Fee and, where applicable, the Documentation Transmission Fee and Visa Fee by Bank Draft. To do so, please enclose a CDN$ denominated Bank Draft made payable to the 'Embassy of Ireland' for the aggregate sum of the fees payable. Please ensure that all applicable fees are included as your application will not otherwise be processed and may result in a DENIAL of visa in certain circumstances.

 

Submitting your Visa Application

Your completed application package (with all of the above items included, where appropriate) should then BE DIRECTLY COURIERED BY YOU to the Embassy of Ireland in Canada at the following address:

The Embassy of Ireland

150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1700

Ottawa

Ontario, K2P 1P1

CANADA

Telephone: +1 (613) 233-6281

Important Notice

Any Irish visa application made which is incomplete in any respect will be returned and will NOT be processed. Depending on the circumstances, this could also result in a DENIAL of the Irish visa application (which could have adverse implications for future visa applications by the applicant).