Multiple-Entry Visas
Short-Stay Multiple-Entry Visas (less than 90 days)
You may apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa when selecting a short-stay visa category option in the online visa application form.
In line with Ireland's on-going commitment to encourage and strengthen links between Ireland and the People's Republic of China, the availability of multiple-entry short-stay visas for business and visit visa applicants has been extended. This is a further development of the very favourable Irish visa package for Chinese visitors that already includes access to the British-Irish Visa Scheme and the Irish Short-Stay Visa Waiver Programme in addition to the standard Irish short-stay visa.
Visit Visas
Five-year multiple-entry short-stay visit visas will be considered for visit category applicants with a proven reliable travel history as evidenced by a visa previously granted by Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Schengen States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA and compliance with the terms of those visas.
One-year, two-year, or three-year multiple-entry short-stay visit visas will be considered for visit category applicants who have a limited compliant travel history and who are assessed as bona fide travellers.
Business Visas
Five-year multiple-entry short-stay business visas will be considered for business category applicants with a satisfactory compliant previous Irish visa history who can demonstrate established and on-going business concerns in Ireland.
One-year, two-year, or three-year multiple-entry short-stay business visas will be considered for business category applicants who can show a compliant travel history in each or one of the following countries: Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Schengen States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA, and who are assessed as bona fide travellers. The length of the visa granted will depend on the extent of the applicant's travel history.
Please note the issuance of a multiple-entry visa remains at the discretion of the Visa Office.
As in all cases the applicant must have at least six months validity remaining before the expiration date of his/her passport.
Note: If you have an Irish visa endorsed with 'BIVS', you may travel to the UK (including Northern Ireland) on this visa (after arriving in the Republic of Ireland first). Please see the following page for further information: https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/china/visas/british-irish-visa-scheme/
A short-stay multiple-entry visa permits you to travel to Ireland on a number of occasions during the dates shown on you visa, for short trips only. It is not permitted to use a short-stay category visa to bypass immigration rules governing residency in the State i.e. to stay over 180 days within a 12 month period. Any abuse of this may result in you being refused entry at the port of entry or future visa applications being refused.
Long-stay Multiple-Entry Visas (longer than 90 days)
You may apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa when selecting a long-stay visa category option in the online visa application form.
Visa required nationals who hold a valid IRP/GNIB card no longer need a re-entry visa to travel to Ireland. The IRP/GNIB card and passport are sufficient. You are advised to apply for a multiple-entry visa if you intend to travel outside of Ireland within 4 months of your arrival and while you are awaiting issuance of your IRP card.
Children aged 0-15 are not issued with an IRP/GNIB card. Their parents or guardians will be able to apply for a re-entry visa for them, to ensure that they can travel in and out of Ireland while living here. This re-entry visa can be applied for when living in Ireland (all other visas must be applied for from outside the State).
For further information on the abolition of the adult re-entry visa system, please follow the link:http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/abolition-of-adult-re-entry-visas
You should ensure that you submit all documentation required for your specific visa type.