Ireland Keeps Visa-Free Transit Opportunities Open For Eligible Indian Visitors Until December 31, 2026

Ireland has extended its Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme until 31 December 2026, providing additional travel flexibility for eligible Indian passport holders and other foreign nationals visiting the country through the United Kingdom. The extension also benefits qualifying visitors from India, China, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and several other countries.

The programme allows eligible travellers holding qualifying UK short-stay visas to visit Ireland without obtaining a separate Irish short-stay visa. Originally scheduled to expire on 31 October 2026, the arrangement will now continue for another two months, giving visitors additional time to organise combined UK and Ireland travel plans.

Ireland Extends Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme Until December 31, 2026

Ireland has extended its Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme, maintaining an important travel arrangement for eligible international visitors who already hold qualifying UK short-stay visas. The decision provides temporary relief for travellers planning cross-border holidays, family visits and business trips involving both destinations.

The programme was originally due to conclude on 31 October 2026. However, the revised arrangements extend its validity until 31 December 2026. This means eligible travellers can continue using qualifying UK immigration permission to enter Ireland without submitting a separate Irish short-stay visa application, provided they satisfy the programme’s conditions.

The extension is particularly relevant for Indian travellers, who frequently consider combining visits to London, other UK destinations and Irish cities within a single international holiday. By removing the requirement for an additional Irish visa application, the scheme can reduce administrative work and make travel planning more straightforward.

Nevertheless, the extension should not be interpreted as a general visa-free arrangement. Eligibility depends on nationality, the category of UK visa held and the traveller’s immigration circumstances. Visitors must also comply with the programme’s entry conditions and the decisions of Irish immigration authorities.

What Is Ireland’s Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme?

Ireland’s Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme is an immigration arrangement that allows nationals of selected countries to enter Ireland without obtaining a separate Irish short-stay visa after first travelling to the United Kingdom using an eligible UK short-stay visa.

The programme is designed to simplify travel between the two neighbouring destinations while maintaining specific immigration safeguards. It recognises qualifying UK visitor permission for eligible nationalities, allowing visitors to include Ireland in their wider international travel arrangements.

For example, an eligible Indian passport holder who obtains an appropriate UK visitor visa can first enter the UK and subsequently travel to Ireland under the waiver programme. The traveller does not need to submit an additional Irish short-stay visa application if all relevant requirements are satisfied.

However, the sequence of travel is important. Visitors must first enter the UK using their qualifying permission before travelling to Ireland. Simply holding a UK visa without having fulfilled the initial UK entry requirement does not automatically establish eligibility under the scheme.

The programme also imposes restrictions on the permitted duration of stay. Visitors cannot assume that the validity period of their UK visa automatically determines how long they may remain in Ireland.

Key Conditions Outlined in the Government Guidance

• Mandatory Initial Entry: Travellers must clear border control and gain lawful entry into the United Kingdom on their valid UK visit visa before travelling to Ireland. An unused UK visa cannot be used to travel directly to Ireland.
• Permitted Duration of Stay: Entry permission granted by an Irish immigration officer at the border is for a maximum of 90 days or the remaining duration of the visitor’s current UK leave to remain, whichever is shorter.
• Eligible Visa Types: Only UK short-stay visitor visas apply (transit visas and visas for marriage/civil partnerships are excluded). Holders of long-term UK residence permits, work visas, or student permissions cannot avail of this waiver.
• British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS): For Indian and Chinese nationals specifically, check whether the UK visa is endorsed with “BIVS”, which operates under the wider British-Irish Visa Scheme and allows mutual entry depending on which country is visited first.

Which Countries Are Eligible for Ireland’s Visa Waiver Programme?

The programme covers nationals of selected countries whose citizens can use qualifying UK short-stay visas to travel onwards to Ireland. The eligible nationalities include the following.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is among the countries included in the programme. Eligible nationals holding qualifying UK short-stay visas can use the arrangement to visit Ireland after first entering the UK. This provides additional flexibility for visitors planning holidays, cultural experiences and family visits.

Kosovo

Kosovo is also included in the eligible nationality list. Travellers holding the appropriate UK visitor permission may benefit from the waiver when travelling onwards to Ireland. However, they must satisfy the programme’s nationality, visa and entry requirements.

Montenegro

Montenegro is another eligible nationality under the arrangement. Qualifying visitors can potentially combine a UK holiday with an Irish visit without applying for an additional Irish short-stay visa, provided they follow the prescribed travel sequence.

North Macedonia

North Macedonian nationals can also benefit from the programme. The arrangement offers an additional opportunity to explore Ireland after entering the UK with an eligible short-stay visa. Travellers should confirm that their visa category is accepted before making arrangements.

Serbia

Serbian nationals are included among the eligible visitors. Those meeting the programme’s conditions can travel onwards from the UK to Ireland using qualifying UK immigration permission, subject to the applicable duration and entry restrictions.

Turkey

Turkey is also represented in the programme’s eligible nationality list. Turkish passport holders with qualifying UK short-stay visas can benefit from the arrangement when planning a combined UK and Ireland itinerary.

Colombia

Colombian nationals are included in the scheme, allowing eligible visitors to travel to Ireland following an authorised visit to the UK. The arrangement can make multi-destination holidays more convenient by removing the need for a separate Irish short-stay visa.

Peru

Peruvian passport holders are another eligible group. Visitors meeting the conditions can include Ireland in their travel plans after first entering the UK with an appropriate short-stay visa.

Bahrain

Bahraini nationals can also benefit from the programme. Eligible travellers holding the required UK visitor permission may use the waiver for short visits to Ireland, subject to immigration assessment.

Kuwait

Kuwaiti nationals are included in the eligible nationality list. The arrangement offers qualifying visitors the opportunity to combine UK and Ireland travel without completing a separate Irish short-stay visa application.

Oman

Omani passport holders are also covered by the programme. Travellers must hold an eligible UK visa, enter the UK first and comply with the remaining conditions before travelling to Ireland.

Qatar

Qatari nationals can benefit from the extended arrangement when they satisfy the relevant requirements. The programme offers additional flexibility for visitors planning international holidays and short business visits involving both destinations.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian nationals are among those eligible for the waiver. Qualifying visitors can use an appropriate UK short-stay visa to travel onwards to Ireland without applying separately for an Irish visitor visa.

India

India is particularly important under the programme because eligible Indian passport holders can combine UK and Ireland visits through the same qualifying UK short-stay visa arrangement.

The extension until 31 December 2026 gives Indian travellers additional time to organise international holidays, family visits and business itineraries. However, Indian nationals must first enter the UK using an eligible visa before travelling to Ireland.

Indonesia

Indonesian nationals are also covered by the programme. Eligible visitors can potentially include Ireland in their UK-based travel itinerary, subject to the applicable immigration conditions and restrictions.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstani nationals are included in the waiver programme. Those holding qualifying UK short-stay visas can benefit from the arrangement when travelling onwards to Ireland after entering the UK.

China

Chinese nationals are among the eligible groups. The programme offers qualifying visitors an opportunity to combine visits to the UK and Ireland without requiring a separate Irish short-stay visa.

Philippines

Filipino nationals can also benefit from the arrangement. Visitors must ensure that their UK visa qualifies and that they have completed the required initial UK entry before travelling to Ireland.

Thailand

Thai nationals are included in the programme. The arrangement can simplify combined travel plans involving the UK and Ireland, although travellers must still satisfy all relevant immigration conditions.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistani passport holders are also eligible. Those with qualifying UK short-stay visas can use the waiver to visit Ireland after entering the UK, provided their circumstances meet the scheme’s requirements.

Vietnam

Vietnamese nationals complete the list of eligible nationalities. Qualifying visitors can benefit from the programme when planning combined trips, subject to the permitted visa categories and duration of stay.

Hong Kong and Macau

Hong Kong and Macau passport holders are not included in the programme’s eligible nationality list because their nationals do not require a visa to visit Ireland under the arrangements described in the announcement.

Importantly, travellers from nationalities not included in the programme cannot automatically use a UK visa to enter Ireland through this arrangement. They must follow the Irish immigration requirements applicable to their nationality.

Which UK Visas Qualify for Ireland’s Travel Waiver?

The programme does not recognise every category of UK immigration permission. Only eligible UK short-stay visas and entry clearances issued for permitted visits or business trips qualify under the arrangement.

The qualifying permission must allow the visitor to stay in the UK for a period of up to 180 days. This distinction is important because the scheme is intended for temporary visitors rather than people residing in the UK on a long-term basis.

Travellers should therefore examine their visa category and conditions before arranging onward travel to Ireland. A valid UK visa is not sufficient if it falls outside the categories recognised by the programme.

Visitor in Transit visas are specifically excluded. These documents are issued for particular transit circumstances and cannot be used as qualifying permission under the waiver.

Visas issued for marriage or entering into a civil partnership are also excluded. Consequently, travellers holding these categories should not assume that they can use their UK immigration permission to enter Ireland under the programme.

The distinction between visitor permission and longer-term immigration status is particularly significant for people who live in the UK.

Who Cannot Use the Programme?

The waiver is not available to everyone holding a UK visa or immigration document. Individuals residing in the UK on a long-term basis, generally involving permission exceeding 180 days, cannot use the programme to enter Ireland.

This restriction also applies to people who hold a Biometric Residence Permit, commonly known as a BRP, as evidence of their UK immigration status. A BRP does not independently qualify someone for entry into Ireland under the waiver.

Even when a person also possesses an otherwise qualifying short-stay UK visa, their longer-term UK residence circumstances can prevent them from using the arrangement.

This condition is particularly relevant for international students, skilled workers, family visa holders and other foreign nationals who have established residence in the UK.

Such travellers should examine the Irish visa requirements applicable to their individual circumstances rather than relying on the short-stay waiver.

The distinction also demonstrates why nationality alone cannot determine eligibility. Immigration status, the purpose of travel and the type of permission held must all be considered before departure.

How Long Can Eligible Travellers Stay in Ireland?

The programme permits eligible visitors to remain in Ireland for up to 90 days. However, this is not an automatic entitlement to a full 90-day visit.

The actual permitted duration is determined by whichever period is shorter between 90 days and the remaining validity of the traveller’s UK immigration permission.

For instance, an eligible traveller whose UK permission has 60 days remaining may be restricted to a maximum stay of 60 days in Ireland. Someone with sufficient remaining permission may be eligible for a stay of up to 90 days.

This restriction makes it important to calculate travel dates carefully. Visitors planning extended holidays or multiple destinations should ensure that their proposed Irish visit falls within the permitted period.

The scheme should also not be interpreted as providing an independent extension of UK immigration permission. Its purpose is to facilitate qualifying short visits to Ireland within the applicable conditions.

What the Extension Means for Indian Travellers

The extension is particularly relevant for Indian passport holders considering a combined UK and Ireland holiday before the end of 2026.

Ireland attracts international visitors through its historic towns, coastal landscapes, cultural attractions, traditional music, countryside experiences and established urban destinations. For Indian travellers already planning a UK visit, the waiver can provide an additional opportunity to explore another destination without submitting a separate Irish short-stay visa application.

London, Manchester, Edinburgh and other UK destinations can form part of a wider itinerary that includes Dublin, Cork or Galway. However, travellers must remember that the UK and Ireland maintain separate immigration systems despite the geographical proximity of the two destinations.

The waiver can also reduce administrative requirements for Indian families travelling together. Nevertheless, every traveller must independently satisfy the eligibility requirements. A family member’s qualifying visa does not automatically establish another person’s eligibility.

Indian visitors should also check passport validity, UK visa conditions, travel dates and the remaining validity of their immigration permission. These details can affect whether the waiver applies and how long they may remain in Ireland.

How Indian Travellers Can Plan a UK and Ireland Holiday

Indian travellers considering a combined itinerary should begin by confirming that their passport nationality is included in the waiver programme. They should then check whether their UK visa falls within the qualifying short-stay categories.

The next step is to plan the journey so that the initial entry takes place in the UK. Travellers should retain their relevant immigration documents and travel records to demonstrate that they meet the programme’s requirements.

Once the UK entry requirement has been satisfied, eligible visitors can plan their onward journey to Ireland. Transport arrangements may include flights or other available cross-border connections, depending on the itinerary.

Travel dates should be selected with particular attention to the remaining validity of UK immigration permission. The maximum Irish stay is limited to 90 days or the remaining period of that permission, whichever is shorter.

Travellers should also avoid booking non-refundable accommodation or transport before checking their eligibility. The waiver does not guarantee admission, and Irish immigration authorities retain the power to assess individual travellers at the point of entry.

Why Ireland’s Visa Waiver Extension Matters for International Tourism

Visa facilitation remains an important consideration in international tourism because administrative requirements can influence destination choices, travel budgets and itinerary planning.

Ireland’s decision to extend the waiver provides temporary continuity for eligible visitors who may otherwise need to complete an additional visa application before including the destination in their travel plans.

For Indian travellers, the arrangement is especially relevant because it creates an opportunity to combine two destinations within a single international journey. It can also benefit visitors from China, Indonesia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Vietnam and other eligible nationalities.

The programme supports greater flexibility for short leisure trips, family visits and permitted business travel. However, its temporary extension means that visitors must pay attention to the revised deadline.

The current announcement confirms the programme’s continuation until 31 December 2026. It does not establish whether the arrangement will remain available beyond that date.

Consequently, travellers planning journeys in 2027 should not assume that the same conditions will continue. Any future extension or replacement arrangement would need to be confirmed through an official immigration announcement.

Important Travel Considerations Before Booking

Although the extension offers additional flexibility, travellers should approach the arrangement with careful preparation. The most important consideration is that the programme is nationality-specific and visa-category-specific.

A qualifying UK visa does not automatically guarantee entry into Ireland. Visitors must also have completed the required initial UK entry and satisfy the remaining conditions.

Travellers should pay particular attention to the following issues when preparing their itineraries.

First, they should verify that their nationality is included in the eligible list. Secondly, they should confirm that their UK visa is an accepted short-stay category rather than a transit, marriage or civil partnership visa.

Thirdly, they should calculate the remaining validity of their UK immigration permission to determine the maximum permitted Irish stay. Fourthly, they should ensure that their journey follows the required UK-first sequence.

Finally, visitors should understand that the waiver does not remove the authority of Irish immigration officers to assess individual entry applications. The final admission decision remains subject to applicable immigration controls.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ireland’s Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme

1. When Will Ireland’s Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme Expire?

Ireland has extended the programme until 31 December 2026. It was originally scheduled to expire on 31 October 2026.

2. Can Indian Passport Holders Visit Ireland With a UK Visa?

Yes. Eligible Indian passport holders can visit Ireland using a qualifying UK short-stay visa without obtaining a separate Irish short-stay visa, provided they first enter the UK and satisfy all programme conditions.

3. Do Indian Travellers Need to Apply for a Separate Irish Visa?

Eligible Indian travellers do not need a separate Irish short-stay visa when they meet the waiver requirements. Those who do not qualify must follow the normal Irish visa application process.

4. Which Other Countries Are Included in the Programme?

Eligible nationalities include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Colombia, Peru, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

5. How Many Days Can Visitors Stay in Ireland Under the Scheme?

Eligible visitors can stay for up to 90 days or the remaining validity of their UK immigration permission, whichever is shorter.

6. Must Travellers Visit the UK Before Travelling to Ireland?

Yes. Eligible travellers must first enter the UK using their qualifying short-stay visa before travelling onwards to Ireland under the programme.

7. Are UK Transit Visas Accepted Under the Waiver?

No. Visitor in Transit visas are excluded from the programme and cannot be used to qualify for entry into Ireland under this arrangement.

8. Can UK Residents Use Their BRP to Enter Ireland?

No. Individuals living in the UK on a long-term basis cannot use their UK residence permission or Biometric Residence Permit to access Ireland through this waiver.

9. Are Hong Kong and Macau Passport Holders Included?

They are not included in the programme’s eligible nationality list because their nationals do not require a visa to visit Ireland under the arrangements described.

10. Has Ireland Confirmed Another Extension Beyond December 2026?

No further extension beyond 31 December 2026 has been announced. Travellers planning journeys in 2027 should check the applicable immigration requirements before departure.

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