Extension of Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme and visa waiver for holders of Olympic accreditation
Date Published: 15-03-2012
Minister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter, announced the extension of the Irish Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme for a further 4 years (from 31 October 2012 to 31 October 2016).
As well as extending the programme the Minister also announced:
- The inclusion of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the list of 16 countries already covered by the Visa Waiver Programme;
- The waiving of visa fees for long-term residents from countries covered by the programme who live within the Schengen area (subject to review after 6 months).
List of countries to which the Visa Waiver Programme will now apply:
Nationals from Eastern Europe
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Montenegro
- Russian Federation
- Serbia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
Middle East
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
Other Asian Countries
- India
- Kazakhstan
- Peoples’ Republic of China
- Uzbekistan
Visa waiver for holders of Olympic accreditation
The Minister also announced a waiver to holders of Olympic accreditation documents issued by the London Olympics Organising Committee. Certain conditions apply to the waiver which will commence on 30 March 2012 and conclude on 8 November 2012.
For more information:
See Press release by Department of Justice and Equality on short-stay visa waiver
See Press release by Department of Justice and Equality on waiver for holders of Olympic accreditation