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Please be advised that the Embassy of Ireland, Malawi website has moved and this page is no longer being updated. The Embassy website is now available at Ireland.ie/lilongwe.

Visa Information

COVID 19 Update – Visa Service

Short-stay Visas

Short-stay entry visa processing resumed on Monday, 13 September 2021.

The move to resume short-stay visa processing is in line with the next phase of the Government’s response to COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting.

All remaining COVID-19 restrictions on entry visa and preclearance processing, which were brought in as a necessary interim measure to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, have now been lifted.

All travellers arriving into Ireland must continue to comply fully with measures required by law including producing proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or a negative PCR test.

If you are unsure as to whether you require a visa/preclearance to enter Ireland you can check here by entering your nationality.

Contact us if you need to make an emergency visa application.

Whether you need a visa to travel to Ireland depends on what country you're from. Visit the Irish Immigration Service Travel Path for more information regarding your personal requirements for travelling to Ireland.

Information on visa requirements for transiting through Ireland is available here

Please note that Ireland is not party to the Schengen Agreement, and a Schengen visa or residence permit does not entitle you to travel to Ireland without a visa.

Unless you qualify for the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme or the British Irish Visa Scheme a valid UK visa does not entitle you to travel to Ireland without a visa. Further information on these schemes is available on the website of the Irish Immigration Service.

Note: A visa allows you to travel to Ireland only. It does not give you permission to enter the country or to stay here. An immigration officer at border control can refuse entry even if you have a visa.

 

Remember…

If you're a citizen of a non-EEA country, whether you need a visa or not, you will be subject to immigration control when you enter Ireland.

Full information on the different types of visas, required documentation, and how to apply can be found on the website of the Irish Immigration Service

Information on applying for a short-stay (less than 90 days) tourist visa is available here.

Information on coming to work in Ireland is available here.

Information on coming to study in Ireland is available here.

Information on coming to join family in Ireland is available here.

If your visa application is refused, you will receive a letter from the visa office telling you why it has been refused and if you can appeal the decision.

Further information on appealing visa decisions is available on the website of the Irish Immigration Service

All appeals are handled directly by the Irish Immigration Service

You need to:

  1. Complete the online application form 

This will generate an application summary form and declaration at the end, which you must print, sign and date.

  1. Gather your supporting documentation, passport photograph and fee.
  2. Submit your application

To complete the process, you must submit your passport and supporting documents for processing. Where you submit your application depends on where you are living. The summary application form will direct you to the relevant Embassy, Consulate or Visa Application Centre.

Check the website of the relevant Embassy or Consulate for further information on how to submit your application for processing

If you applied at an Embassy or Consulate, they will contact you once a decision on the visa application has been made.

If you applied directly to an Irish Immigration Service Visa Office or if your application was referred to the Irish Immigration Service for a decision, you can check the Irish Immigration Service Visa Decision Weekly Listing using your reference number.

Further information on what to expect on arrival in Ireland can be found on the website of the Irish Immigration Service.

Information on entry for EU/EEA and Swiss nationals is available here

Information on entry for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals is available here.

Information on travelling with children is available here.

Information on transiting through Ireland is available here.

Check the website of the Irish Immigration Servicefor information on preclearance and entry visa fees, including information on visa fee exemptions.

You can also contact your local Embassy or Consulate for more details on fees and payment methods

Payment Details

We accept the following forms of payment:

Visa processing fees must be paid in Malawi Kwacha at the exchange rate set by the bank at the beginning of each month. You will need to take the invoice that you receive from the Embassy and bring it to First Capital Bank, City Centre branch to pay the visa application fee. Directions to FCB City Centre. Payment may be made by cash or cheque.

The visa will not be processed until payment is made. Once an application is accepted for processing the payment cannot be refunded.

Information Note

An information note has been prepared to assist applicants completing the online application form. This is available in: