Ireland Announces New 5-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa for Chinese Travelers
Starting July 1, ordinary travelers with a good travel record can apply for a 5-year multiple-entry visa to Ireland. On June 22, Irish Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan announced this exciting news. This date coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and China—on June 22, 1979, Ireland and China officially established diplomatic ties. This visa initiative also affirms the growing appeal of Ireland to Chinese tourists and the importance of the Chinese market. The visa benefits will help accelerate Ireland’s goal of welcoming 200,000 Chinese visitors by 2025. Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, described the introduction of the 5-year multiple-entry visa as “the perfect birthday gift for the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and China, demonstrating Ireland’s strong confidence in the Chinese tourism market.”
Chinese travelers submitting visa applications from July 1 onward who have a reliable travel history—such as previously issued visas from Ireland, the UK, Schengen countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United States—and who have complied with the terms of those visas may opt for the 5-year visa option. Under the UK-Ireland Visa Scheme (BIVS), if applicants meet the criteria, the visa will also allow short stays in the UK.
All visa applicants can apply online through Ireland’s official partner VFS Global and submit supporting documents at one of 16 visa application centers, including those in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chongqing, and Hong Kong. WeChat and UnionPay payments for visa fees are accepted. The visa fee remains 60 euros for single-entry and 100 euros for multiple-entry visas. The processing time is 7–10 working days.
In 2018, Ireland as a whole welcomed nearly 100,000 Chinese visitors. Currently, direct flights to Dublin are operated from Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong by Hainan Airlines and Cathay Pacific. The introduction of the 5-year visa will usher in a brand-new development opportunity for Ireland’s tourism industry in China.
Five-Year Visa: How to Explore Ireland?
With summer vacation approaching, the launch of Ireland’s 5-year visa is sure to attract family travelers and independent tourists. Below are classic thematic routes in Ireland:
Game of Thrones Themed Tour: Fans of the series can visit the real-life inspiration for Winterfell, Castle Ward in Northern Ireland, to try archery like the Stark family and join nearby cycling tours of TV filming locations. They can also dress in costume for a “medieval feast.” Additionally, visitors can head to Titanic Belfast to see the global touring exhibition of Game of Thrones merchandise. Die-hard fans, try to find all 20 “Game of Thrones Doors” across Northern Ireland.
Wild Atlantic Way Road Trip: Summer is the best season for driving around Ireland. From Donegal in the north to Cork in the south, expect golden coastlines, dramatic cliffs, sheep-dotted headlands on one side, and lush green fields, Celtic villages, and medieval castle ruins on the other. The drive takes you through regions like Connemara, The Burren, Galway Bay, and Kerry. Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi was filmed in Donegal.
Family-Friendly “Fresh Dublin” Route: Recommended for families with children, this route includes visits to the National Museum of Ireland to learn about Dublin’s founding history, a trip to the famed Trinity College, and then on to the Guinness Brewery to brew and sample a personalized pint. End your day with traditional Irish music in Temple Bar.
Ireland, surrounded by water, features rolling hills and vast emerald-green landscapes, making it a world-renowned golfing destination. The country has over 400 golf courses, including more than 50 coastal links courses. Playing golf in Ireland means enjoying breathtaking scenery and top-tier services. Powerscourt Golf Club, just a half-hour drive from Dublin Airport, has hosted PGA Championship events. Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort, located by the river and known for its luxury resort style, offers high-quality sporting and accommodation experiences. Every tee and green is meticulously designed, bunkers feature the latest drainage technology, and the club’s world-class putting surfaces even include vented turf systems.
How to Reach Ireland:
From mainland China, direct flights to Dublin are available from Beijing and Shenzhen with Hainan Airlines. For specific flight schedules and bookings, please visit www.hnair.com. From Hong Kong, direct flights to Dublin are operated by Cathay Pacific. For details and reservations, go to www.cathaypacific.com.
Ireland Visa:
Currently, Ireland and the UK operate under the UK-Ireland Visa Scheme, which allows Chinese travelers to use a single visa to visit both countries. Under this system, travelers holding a British-Irish Visa (BIVS) can stay up to 90 days in Ireland while also entering the UK (including Northern Ireland), enjoying the convenience of “one visa, two countries.” Currently, Ireland has visa application centers in 16 cities: Beijing, Wuhan, Shenyang, Jinan, Xi'an, Chongqing, Chengdu, Kunming, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Fuzhou, Changsha, and Hong Kong.
About Tourism Ireland
Tourism Ireland is the official agency responsible for promoting the island of Ireland (both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) overseas. For more information, please visit https://www.discoverireland.cn
Tourism is one of the most important industries on the island of Ireland, accounting for over 4% of the Republic of Ireland’s Gross National Product (GNP) and employing 325,000 people. In 2018, nearly 11.2 million overseas tourists visited Ireland, generating approximately €6.1 billion in revenue. The global official website of Tourism Ireland is www.ireland.com, with 29 market-specific sites offering content in 11 languages. In 2018, these sites collectively received 20.3 million visits.
For more photos and video materials, please visit: www.irelandscontentpool.com to view and download.