Ireland has lifted the visa requirement for diplomatic passport holders of Indonesia, Qatar, Kuwait, Montenegro, Moldova, Türkiye, Colombia, Peru, and Georgia.
The decision to remove the visa requirement for passport holders of these nine countries was taken in an effort to improve the political, economic, and cultural ties, VisaGuide.World reports.
The lifting of the visa requirement for diplomatic passport holders and officials accompanying visiting Ministers will enhance the close ties in the political, economic, and cultural spheres and continue to develop a close relationship with those countries.
Announcing the changes to the visa rules, Minister Helen McEntee said that the visa requirement has also been lifted for some other groups of people from Indonesia, Qatar, Kuwait, Montenegro, Moldova, Türkiye, Colombia, Peru, and Georgia.
As the Minister revealed, it is also no longer required for those who hold an official, service, or public affairs passport to obtain a visa when accompanying a Minister of the Government from one of the nine countries mentioned above.
Similar to Ireland, which now permits visa-free entry for these groups of people, the Irish authorities highlighted that reciprocal arrangements apply for diplomats of Ireland who are traveling to these countries.
Ireland reviews its visa requirements regularly to ensure that effective controls are in place at the borders. The country also keeps facilitated entry rules for some groups of travelers who are entering the country for the purposes of a visit, to study, to work, or to join their family members.
Ireland Has Tightened Visa Rules for Dominica, Honduras & Vanuatu Nationals
While Ireland has dropped the visa requirement for diplomatic passport holders and some others from nine nations, the country has decided to impose the visa requirement for citizens of Dominica, Honduras, and Vanuatu.
Since March 7, 2024, Dominica, Honduras, and Vanuatu nationals have been required to apply for a visa before entering Ireland.
In addition to needing an entry visa, nationals of these three countries also need to obtain a transit visa if they plan to reach another destination through Irish airports.
Commenting on the decision, Minister McEntee said that the visa requirement had been imposed as part of the country’s attempt to align its visa policy with the UK and the Schengen Area.
Despite imposing the visa requirement, the Irish authorities have stressed that travel arrangements will apply to Dominica, Honduras, and Vanuatu, who had already made travel arrangements to the country.
Those who made travel plans to Ireland before the visa rule was introduced will be offered emergency travel assistance. However, only those who have paid and booked their trip to Ireland, as well as those who will enter the country before April 2024, will benefit from the travel assistance.