Consulate of Ireland, Hong Kong
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General Visa Info

1. Application Forms

A new online visa application system is now operational in Hong Kong, Macau and China.

Visa applicants should fill out their application form online before delivering their supporting documents to the Visa Office. We will not, however, process any applications we receive by post. Applicants please e-mail to info@consulateofireland.hk make an appointment to submit the application.

Study Visa applicants should note that with the discontinuation of “The additional form to be completed by Study Visa Applicants, form BJ(S)”, additional supporting documentation is now required with your application in China. Please refer to our Study Visa information page for further details.

 

How to complete your online application

Online applications can be made through the following website:
https://www.visas.inis.gov.ie/AVATS/OnlineHome2.aspx

The page may take some time to load. Please be patient. Once the page has loaded click, “Apply Now” at the top left of the page to begin the application process.

All questions within the online application are in English and must be answered in English.

Help tips will be available in certain fields which will explain what information is being sought.

You will need to print a summary of your application form as part of the on-line application process. You will therefore need the ability to print from the computer on which you complete your application.

We also recommend you have the following information at hand before you apply:

  1. Passport and details of any previous passports – number, date of issue / expiry

  2. Details of any previous Irish visa applications

  3. Contact details for your host in Ireland

  4. Itinerary

During the application process you can save your application, exit the online form and return later to complete and submit it. (within 30 days).

Following submission of your online application you will be required to submit a signed summary of your application form, original passport, passport-sized colour photograph which meets our requirements, the relevant fee, and all supporting documents, to the Consulate.

A comprehensive guide is available to help you complete your on-line application form. Please thoroughly read this guide before applying.

English version
Chinese version

 

2. Photograph

Each application must include a recent passport sized colour photograph of each person included in the application (including children). The photographs should be:

  • No more than 6 months old

  • Minimum size 35mm x 45mm, maximum size 38mm x 50mm

  • Printed on photographic paper

  • Sharp and clear, and taken against a plain white or light grey background

  • A frontal pose looking directly at the camera and showing full face. The face should take up 70-80% of the photograph. The expression should be neutral with both eyes open and mouth closed. There should be no hair covering the eyes.

  • Only head coverings worn for religious reasons are permitted.

  • Hair bands are not allowed

  • Sunglasses are not acceptable. If glasses are worn they should be of clear glass so that the eyes are visible

  • NOTE: please print your name clearly on the back of all photographs submitted – do not attach the photograph to your application form or summary sheet.

 

3. Submitting documents and other material in support of your application

  • Submission of false or misleading information will result in a visa application being refused. This will also be taken into account in any future visa application the applicant might make.

  • Applicants should expect verification checks to be undertaken in respect of the information and documents supplied.

  • Originals of all documents must be submitted along with a translated copy in English. Documents not translated from Chinese to English will not be considered.

  • Please supply two photocopies of all documents that you would like returned to you. If you do not supply a photocopy the original document will not be returned to you.

  • The onus is on you the applicant to supply independently verifiable information in order to establish that your visa application is genuine.

 

4. Passport

  • The passport must be submitted with the visa application.

  • Please include a photocopy of the passport biopage, all visas and all stamps

  • The passport must have no less than six months validity from the applicants intended date of departure from Ireland.

  • If you held a passport previous to your current valid passport or are currently travelling on a replacement passport you must submit the original of your old passport with your application. If you no longer have the original of an old passport you must submit a photocopy of the passport.

  • Photocopies of old passports must include every page of the passport, not just those with visas.

  • You must clearly explain why you replaced your old passport and include any relevant police reports in your application.

  • A decision on a visa application will not be issued until all relevant passports are seen by the Visa Office.

 

5. Interview

Visa applicants are not generally required to attend for an interview, however the Visa Office reserves the right to request an applicant to attend for interview on a case-by-case basis.

 

6. Medical Check

Visa applicants are not required to have a medical check before a visa is issued.

 

7. Children under sixteen years of age

Children under sixteen years of age accompanying a parent or a legal guardian are not required to have visas for entry to Ireland if they are named on the passports/ travel documents of their parents/legal guardians and the parent's visa does not specify that it is valid for ‘Bearer Only'. Children under 16 years of age traveling on their own travel documents, whether in the company of a parent/legal guardian or not, must be in possession of a valid visa.

 

8. Travel tickets

Travel tickets should not be bought until a decision has been made and the applicant's documents have been returned to them.

 

9. General Advice

Adhering to the following will ensure that your application is processed without delay:

  • Submit all requisite documents with your application.

  • Arrange documents in a logical order

  • Do not send documents to the Visa Office prior to lodging your application.

  • Read and take note of all relevant information on this website and on the visa application form before submitting your application

  • Do not use any clips, staples or files to attach sheets together in your application.

 

Before travelling to Ireland

If your application is approved please check that all details on the visa are correct. You are responsible for the accuracy of the details recorded on the visa after leaving the Consulate. If you have any questions in relation to the requirements and /or limitations of the visa please contact this office.

Please note that a visa is a form of pre-entry clearance. It does not guarantee entry to the State. Immigration Officers at point of entry to the State are entitled to deny access and to question a person regarding their bona fides. Visa holders are subject to normal immigration control at the port of entry.

You should carry your school letter of acceptance / letter of invitation and / or other documents for presentation to Immigration Officers.

 

After arriving in Ireland

An individual who holds a valid visa does not necessarily have permission to stay in Ireland . The date of validity shown on the visa indicates only the date before which it must be presented to an Immigration Officer. The length of stay is decided by an Immigration Officer at the port of entry and will reflect the purpose of your journey. Irish law does not provide for a permanent residence visa.

If your intended stay is less than 90 days in duration, and your application for a visa is successful, you will be issued with a 'C' visa. On being granted leave to land in the State you have permission to remain for no more than ninety days. Extensions of permission to remain will be granted in exceptional circumstances only.

If your intended stay is 90 days or more in duration, and your application for a visa is successful, you will be issued with a 'D' visa. On being granted leave to land in the State you must register with the Garda (police) within ninety days of your arrival in the State.

Visa applicants require a valid visa each time they enter the State, including entry via the United Kingdom . This also applies to individuals who have current permission to reside in the State.

A visa applicant who submitted false or misleading information in support of his/her application may become liable for prosecution and/or subject to deportation.

You are not permitted under Irish law to involve yourself in any other activity or to remain in the State for any purpose other than that for which the visa was specifically granted.

A person wishing to undertake any activity in Ireland other than that for which his/her visa was granted must leave the State and apply for a new visa. The applicant may not return to Ireland while awaiting a decision on his/her new application

Applicants who are in Ireland and wish to apply for a re-entry visa or have other queries should contact the Visa Section in INIS directly.

A visa holder who remains in the State longer than the permitted period may become liable for prosecution and/or subject to deportation.

 

What if my application is refused?

If your application has been refused and you still wish to travel to Ireland you may either appeal the decision or make a new application.

If you decide to make a new application your previous immigration history will be taken into account.

If you believe that the decision made was incorrect you should appeal this decision to the Appeals Officer.

In some cases not all aspects of an application will have been checked before arriving at the initial decision. During the appeal process the entire application will be re-examined in full.

You will receive a detailed list of the reasons why your application was refused when you are notified of the decision. You should address each refusal reason in your appeal. Supply good, clear, relevant evidence in your appeal to address any deficiencies in your initial application.

The appeal must be lodged within twenty-eight days of the date of notification of the initial decision. There is no processing fee for an appeal.

Please address your appeal to:

The Appeals Officer
Embassy of Ireland, Visa Office
Ta Yuan Diplomatic Office Building 2-11-1
14 Liang Ma He Nan Lu
Beijing 100600
People's Republic of China