Ireland entry requirements for Canada passport holders
Verified May 12, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Canadians don't need a visa to visit Ireland for tourism or business stays up to 90 days. Just show up at the border with your valid passport and you'll be stamped in on arrival. This policy is in effect for 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your Canadian passport needs to be valid only for the dates you plan to be in Ireland. Airlines may ask for 6 months validity, but Irish immigration does not enforce that rule. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Ireland | Immigration officers at Dublin and Shannon routinely ask for a return or onward ticket within the 90-day visa-free period. A bus or ferry ticket to Northern Ireland counts as onward travel. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Have a printed or digital hotel confirmation, hostel booking, or a letter from your host with their address and contact number. Officers rarely ask, but it speeds things up if they do. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statement or credit card | Carry a recent bank statement or have access to a credit card with sufficient limit. There is no fixed minimum, but around €50–€100 per day of stay is a safe benchmark. | Recommended |
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your Canadian passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive in Ireland, not from when you leave. If it expires sooner, renew it before you go.
No visa, but still need documents
Even though you don't need a visa, immigration officers can ask for proof of return travel, accommodation, and funds. Have these ready in your carry-on.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Irish Border Control
At Dublin, Shannon, or Cork airports, follow signs to 'Non-EU Passports.' Join the queue for passport control. Have your passport and any supporting documents (return ticket, accommodation booking) ready.
2
Present Your Passport and Answer Questions
Hand over your passport. The officer will likely ask: purpose of visit, length of stay, where you're staying, and when you're leaving. Answer clearly and honestly. They may ask to see your return ticket or accommodation confirmation.
3
Get Your Entry Stamp
If everything is in order, the officer will stamp your passport with the date of entry and the number of days you're allowed to stay (usually 90). Check the stamp before walking away.
4
Collect Luggage and Exit
After passport control, proceed to baggage claim, then through customs (green channel if nothing to declare). You're now legally in Ireland.
Download Ireland Entry Checklist
PDF · Canada Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 12, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For those who need a visa or want a longer stay.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
ValidityUp to 5 years
Cost€100 (~$109 USD)
Ideal for frequent travelers.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayOver 90 days
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€100 (~$109 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification.
work visa
Critical Skills Employment Permit
2 years, renewable
€1,000 (~$1,090 USD)
For skilled workers in shortage occupations. Requires a job offer and relevant qualifications. Leads to long-term residency.
Apply student visa
Stamp 2 (Student Visa)
Up to 7 years
€300 (~$327 USD)
For full-time students enrolled in recognized courses. Allows part-time work during term and full-time during holidays.
Apply investor visa
Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP)
2 years, renewable, leads to citizenship
€1,000,000 (~$1,090,000 USD) investment
For high-net-worth individuals investing in Irish enterprise or funds. Requires minimum investment of €1 million.
Apply retirement visa
Stamp 0 (Retirement Visa)
1 year, renewable annually
€300 (~$327 USD)
For retirees with sufficient funds to support themselves without working. Must have private health insurance and not be a burden on the state.
Apply Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For longer stays or if visa-free is not applicable. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period. | €100 (~$109 USD) |
| Stay extension costExtension is not available for visa-free stays; this applies to visa holders. | €300 (~$327 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstaying can result in fines and future entry bans. | €100 per day (max €1,000) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Ireland
No transit visa needed
Canadian passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Ireland, as long as they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsDublin Airport (DUB) · Shannon Airport (SNN) · Cork Airport (ORK)
Health & vaccines for Ireland
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, etc.)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedInfluenzaConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Rare but present in rural areas; avoid tick bites.
Lyme diseaseLow risk
Transmitted by ticks in wooded areas; use repellent.
Food and water safetyLow risk
Generally safe; standard hygiene recommended.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Dublin
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS)
13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, D02 XK70
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Main office for visa and immigration queries. Book appointments online.
Cork
Cork Immigration Office
Anglesea Street, Cork, T12 YN45
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00
Handles registration and extensions for residents in the Cork area.
Practical information for CA travellers
Country basics
CapitalDublin
LanguageIrish, English
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 12 months.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.85 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h
vs Los Angeles+8h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
GType G (three rectangular prongs)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Ireland.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can do remote work for a non-Irish employer. You cannot work for an Irish company or do any paid work in Ireland without a work permit.
No, the visa-free stay cannot be extended. You must leave Ireland before the 90 days are up. Overstaying can result in a ban from re-entering.
You would need to apply for a long-stay visa (e.g., work, study, or family reunification) before you travel. You cannot switch from visa-free to a long-stay visa while in Ireland.
No, for stays under 90 days you don't need to register. If you were granted a long-stay visa, you would need to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) within 90 days.
A damaged passport (torn pages, water damage, etc.) can be refused at the border. Get a new passport before you travel.
Yes, but you'll still need to satisfy Irish immigration rules. If you fly into Belfast (UK), you'll clear UK border control, then cross the open land border into Ireland. Keep your passport and proof of onward travel handy.
No, Canadian citizens do not need a transit visa for Ireland. You can pass through Irish airports without a visa as long as you don't leave the transit area.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 12, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.