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

Ireland has extended its Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme, giving eligible travellers more time to visit the country without applying for a separate Irish visa. The scheme, which was due to end on October 31, 2026, now runs until December 31, 2026.

For travellers who already hold an eligible UK short-stay visa, this extension keeps the UK-Ireland travel option open for a little longer. It is especially relevant for visitors planning combined trips across both countries.

What the Ireland Visa Waiver Extension Means

Under the programme, certain foreign nationals can enter Ireland using a qualifying UK short-stay visa, provided they first travel to the UK and meet all applicable conditions. In practical terms, this can simplify planning and reduce the need for a separate Irish visa application.

The waiver allows stays in Ireland of up to 90 days or the remaining validity of the traveller’s UK immigration permission, whichever is shorter.

The extension applies only until 31 December 2026.
Travellers must have an eligible UK short-stay visa or entry clearance.
Entry to Ireland is still subject to immigration checks at the border.
A UK visa does not guarantee automatic admission to Ireland.

Who Can Use the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme?

The programme is available to passport holders from selected countries across Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia. Eligible nationalities include:

Europe: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey
South America: Colombia and Peru
Middle East: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia
Asia: India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam

Hong Kong and Macau passport holders are not covered by this waiver because they do not require a visa to visit Ireland in the first place.

If your nationality is not on the official list, you cannot use a UK visa to enter Ireland under this scheme.

Which UK Visas Qualify?

The waiver covers eligible UK short-stay visas and entry clearances issued for visits or business purposes, typically allowing a stay in the UK for up to 180 days.

However, not every UK visa works. Some categories are excluded from the programme, including:

Visitor in Transit visas
Visas issued for marriage or civil partnership purposes
Long-term UK permissions that allow a stay of more than 180 days

If a traveller lives in the UK on a long-term basis, they cannot use that status to enter Ireland under this waiver, even if they also hold a visa that might otherwise appear eligible.

What This Means for Indian Travellers

For Indian passport holders who meet the nationality and visa requirements, this extension is good news. It means more flexibility when planning a trip that includes both the UK and Ireland, without needing to file a separate Irish short-stay visa application.

That said, travellers should verify every condition before booking tickets or hotels. Immigration rules can change, and a valid visa alone is not enough to guarantee entry.

Key things Indian travellers should check before travelling:

Confirm that your passport nationality is eligible under the scheme
Make sure your UK visa type is accepted for the waiver
Check that your UK permission and travel dates fall within the allowed period
Avoid making non-refundable bookings until eligibility is confirmed

Why This Extension Matters

The extra two-month extension gives travellers and travel planners a bit more breathing room. It also makes multi-country itineraries across the UK and Ireland easier for eligible visitors who want to save time and paperwork.

Still, there is no indication yet that the programme will continue beyond December 2026. For now, this is a temporary extension rather than a permanent policy change.

CONCLUSION

Ireland’s decision to extend the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme until December 31, 2026 offers a practical travel benefit for eligible visitors, especially Indian travellers combining UK and Ireland trips. The opportunity is useful, but the rules remain strict, so checking nationality, visa type and entry conditions in advance is essential.