How to Apply for an Ireland Tourist Visa for Filipinos in Qatar

The Republic of Ireland is another European country that welcomes visitors. However, for countries such as the Philippines, a tourist visa is needed. You also won’t need to apply for a Schengen visa. 

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If you are applying from Qatar, you can use the services of VFS Global. You can also go to the Embassy in Abu Dhabi to process your application. 

Pubs in Ireland

Tourist Visa Application for Ireland

The website of the Embassy of Ireland provides useful information to visitors who want to visit the country. Philippine passport holders need to get a tourist visa. Specifically, you need to get a Short Stay C Tourist visa since it is the prescribed visa for those on a short holiday. With this visa, you can stay in the country for not more than 90 days. 

Requirements for Visa Application

  • Valid passport
  • Passport photos
  • Duly accomplished visa application form
  • Application letter
  • Invitation letter (if applicable)
  • Itinerary
  • Medical or Travel Insurance
  • Proof of financial capability
  • Home ties

Procedure for Visa Application

Upon completion of the online visa application form, you will get further instructions on which visa processing center to send your application. Take note of the 8 digit AVATS visa reference number, which is found on the first page of the summary sheet. You should also prepare the documentary requirements.

Remember that the documents should be original, legible, and verifiable. You should also ensure that the documents are written in either English or Irish. If not, you should get a certified translator to work on your paper. 

Only those who submit a hardcopy or print out of their documents will be accepted. 

Visa Application Fees

Short stay ‘C’ visa (single entry) – €60

Short stay ‘C’ visa (multiple entry) – €100 

Take note that in some cases, the consular fee may be added on top of the visa fee. All payments are non-refundable in case your application was denied. You should also check the Embassy website for any updates regarding the fees.

According to the consulate in Abu Dhabi, card payments are processed in person at the Embassy. An alternative is to send payment by bank transfer. Refer to these details for your transaction:

  • Account Name: Embassy of Ireland – Abu Dhabi
  • Account Number: 1411003342999016
  • IBAN: AE680351411003342999016
  • Bank Name: First Abu Dhabi Bank
  • Branch Name: Main Branch
  • Branch Address: Abu Dhabi
  • Country: United Arab Emirates

You should also keep your proof of payment as this will be checked during your application. 

Embassy of Ireland in Abu Dhabi Address and Contact Details

Map of the Embassy of Ireland in Abu Dhabi

Video: How to Apply for a Tourist Visa

This YouTube video from Dheyb Cee, you will get some valuable insights on how to succeed in your tourist visa application to Ireland. Dheyb Cee also explains what a short stay visa is, as well as sharing his hacks from his previous visa applications.

Please note that the vlogger is sharing these tips for applicants who are living in the Philippines. However, there are also some aspects that hold true even if you are a Filipino based in Qatar.  You can watch the full video here:

Disclaimer: The information posted here is based on personal experiences that the vlogger shared in the video. Please let this post serve as a guide only. If you have specific questions, you may ask the content creator by commenting on their video or on their social media accounts.

How to Get to Ireland from Qatar

One of the aspects that you need to consider when flying to Ireland is the available flights and cost. You’ll be pleased to know that some of the airlines flying to Ireland include Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Egyptair, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Air Cairo, and KLM. 

An average round trip flight costs about $ 1,060.50. You can also expect the flight to take almost 10 hours. Most tourists also prefer to land in Dublin. 

Your fare could also change depending on the day and time of your flight. If you plan to visit during June, July, and August, you might want to book earlier as these are the peak months.

Places to See in Ireland

Ireland, also known as the Emerald Isle, offers plenty of attractions for visitors. It is also home to important historical figures. To help you plan your itinerary, you can look at these suggested places to visit:

Guinness Storehouse in Dublin 

Dublin is not only the capital of Ireland, but it is also home to the most famous beer in the country. So whether you are a beer lover or not, you might want to visit the Guinness Storehouse.

There are plenty of activities awaiting you at this destination. You can visit the brewery, explore beer artifacts in the museum, purchase Guinness-related merchandise, and most importantly, taste Guinness beer. You can also visit the flagship store to purchase souvenirs. For a basic tour, you can purchase a ticket for €20. Follow this link to find the package that is right for you.

Irish Rock and Roll Museum in Dublin

If you grew up listening to U2, then visiting the Irish Rock and Roll Museum is your chance to learn more about your favorite band. A tour of the facility allows you to learn about Irish music culture in general. The museum also features state-of-the-art facilities that let you experience what it’s like to be a rock star. Tickets for adults over 19 years range from €20 to €24. To purchase tickets, visit their website.

Join the Dublin GhostBus Tour

While Philippine folklore also has its share of mystic creatures, this ghost bus tour provides more information about the sinister creatures in the Emerald Isle. You will tour popular landmarks as well as a cemetery in this two-hour guided tour.

The Cliffs of Moher

For an Instagram-worthy destination, add the Cliffs of Moher to your itinerary. The cliffs offer a majestic view, which is why they have been featured in movies such as Harry Potter, The Princess Bride, and Leap Year. At the top of the cliffs is the O’Brien Tower, an observation tower where visitors can climb up to see the best view in town. The cliff is part of the UNESCO Heritage site, and you can visit anytime. Visit this site to book your ticket; the entrance fee for an adult is €7.

Kinsale

Kinsale is also dubbed the “culinary capital of Ireland.” The town earned its nickname because of the numerous restaurants that have established operations there. It also helps that the town is located on the country’s coast, where fresh seafood is readily available.

The good news is that you don’t need a ticket to visit. You can either fly into the nearby Cork City airport or book a bus from Dublin to get to Cork City. Once you are in the city, you can hop on another bus that will take you to Kinsale.

Irish Slang for Beginners

You will likely interact with some locals as you tour the Emerald Isle, and you might hear them utter some words that are unfamiliar to you. To help you understand the locals’ slang, we have put together some common terms:

  • Craic (pronounced as “crack”): It generally refers to fun or general banter. 
  • Quare (pronounced as “kware”): May mean “great” or “terrific”
  • Feck off: This is a curse word
  • Langered :This word is used to describe a drunk person

Misconceptions About Ireland

You might have heard about some beliefs and practices concerning the Irish people and their culture. While some of them are true, others are misconceptions. Take the time to distinguish between these beliefs so that you can stay in good graces with your hosts.

The Irish like to drink all the time. 

The country is indeed known for its popular beer, and you can also visit breweries there. However, despite these beer-making establishments, it’s important to note that the Irish people are not always drunk. Even with the numerous pubs in the country, you would not see the Irish people drinking all the time.

Leprechauns exist.

Leprechauns are often associated with Ireland. However, you won’t find these little green creatures in the country. Instead, you can find them in gift shops, where you can purchase your very own leprechaun as a souvenir. You might also see some street signs mentioning these creatures, but they do not actually exist.

All Irish people have red hair.

Seeing a redhead might lead you to assume that they are Irish. However, this is far from the truth. Studies show that only about 2% of the entire human population have red hair. So don’t expect to see throngs of people with red hair.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will my supporting documents be returned to me?

According to the Irish Immigration website, the applicant will receive back their marriage, birth, and death certificates after the processing of the application. As for other documents, you need to prepare a list of all the original documents you want returned. Then, you should provide photocopies of these documents so that the immigration officials can keep the duplicate copies. 

Can I appeal if my visa application was rejected?

You will receive advice on whether you can appeal the decision or not.

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