Thai visiting UK and South Ireland.

[M15VOR]

My GF maybe coming to UK this summer for two weeks holiday.

Will we be able to get the ferry from UK mainland to North Ireland and drive to Dublin?

The visa will be for UK only but it's an open border between North and South.

[ubonjoe]

Moved to the visas for other countries forum.

[laolover88]

A Shengen or UK Visa is not valid for travel to The Republic of Ireland. see http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Irish%20Visa%20Information

PS No such Country as South Ireland!

Edited May 1, 2016 by laolover88

[MartinL]

If she has a valid UK Visitors Visa, allowing her into UK for up to 6 months, she'll be good to go to Ireland.

The attachment - my query on the same subject to the irish visa people & their reply - should clarify things for you.

Visa Mail.pdf

[MJCM]

Maybe this helps the OP : http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Irish%20Short%20Stay%20Visa%20Waiver%20Programme

[M15VOR]

Thanks for the replies.

[laolover88]

There is a suggestion that the short stay visa waiver programme may only run until October 2016. I would check carefully. My wife and I had a problem as we flew from Paris to Dublin without "activating" her UK Visa en route. Next time I would cover my base by getting an Ireland Visa!

[swampdonkey]

A Shengen or UK Visa is not valid for travel to The Republic of Ireland. see http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Irish%20Visa%20Information

PS No such Country as South Ireland!

PS Neither the UK or Eire is in the Schengen area

[M15VOR]

A Shengen or UK Visa is not valid for travel to The Republic of Ireland. see http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Irish%20Visa%20Information

PS No such Country as South Ireland!

PS Neither the UK or Eire is in the Schengen area

I know. We will apply for UK visa. I'm in UK. Just wasn't sure if crossing the water would be a problem.

[sg2000]

If you take a ferry to Northern Ireland and then Drive to Dublin and same as return then there will be no issues.

There is no immigration check post between North and South Ireland.

I live here so I know it

Just dont take ferry direct into Dublin.

Good luck

[mgb]

Right but there are temporary check points possible on both sides.

[M15VOR]

Right but there are temporary check points possible on both sides.

Ah right. Do you think we would just be turned away? Or would they make a big deal?

She wants to go to Beyoncé concert in Dublin!!! :/

[mgb]

If she got a tourist visa from the UK the irish visa waiver program come into the game.

Getting caught without a valid visa would be not so a good idea.