Passports and visas

What documents do I need to take with me to the airport?

If you don’t have a valid passport, visa or entry permit, you may be refused travel, either by us or by the airline.

Please be aware that if this happens, we are unable to assist you in any way. Be sure to double-check that you’ve remembered these documents.

What do I need to check about my passport?

Before you go, please check the following:

• The name(s) and initials on your flight tickets must exactly match those on your passport
• For travel to most countries, an Irish or UK passport must remain valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled return to the Republic of Ireland or the UK. Please contact the embassy of your destination country for the most up-to-date information
• If your passport or travel documents are damaged or have been tampered with, you may not be able to travel. If you have any doubts about the condition of your passport, please contact the relevant government service.

For the Republic of Ireland please contact the Passport Office on 01 671 1633 in Dublin or 021 494 4700 in Cork, or LoCall 1890 426 888, or visit the Department of Foreign Affairs website.

For Northern Ireland please contact the Passport Advice line on 0870 521 0410 or visit the
Passport Services website.

I’m not an Irish or UK citizen. Do I need a visa?

If you are not an Irish citizen and flying from the Republic of Ireland then please consult the embassy of your destination country and the Department of Foreign Affairs. You may require special documentation, either for your destination country or for your return to the Republic of Ireland.

If you are a non-UK citizen and flying from Northern Ireland, please consult the embassy of your destination country and the Home Office Immigration Department. You may require special documentation, either for your destination country or for your return to the UK.

Non-UK citizens include citizens of UK Dependent Territories, those who hold their citizenship by virtue of connection with Gibraltar, UK subjects who have a right to live in the United Kingdom, and EC and other nationals.

I need to renew my passport. How long will it take?

Our advice? Apply early. You don’t have to wait until your current passport expires to renew it.

If you renew your passport before it expires, any remaining period of validity will be rounded down to the nearest whole month and added to your new passport. This period is calculated from the point at which your new passport is authorised for issue, not from the date of application. So if you want to receive this benefit, you should really apply at least 6 weeks before your current passport expires.

What do I need to apply for a passport?

For first-time passport applications, you’ll need documentation to prove that you are an Irish or UK citizen. These documents will need to be originals, not photocopies. Originals may also be required if you are replacing a lost or stolen passport.

For further details please contact:

For the Republic of Ireland the Passport Office on 01 671 1633 in Dublin or 021 494 4700 in Cork, or LoCall 1890 426 888, or visit the Department of Foreign Affairs website.

For Northern Ireland the Passport Advice line on 0870 521 0410 or visit the Passport Services website.

What is the situation regarding children and passports?

Children under 16 are required to travel on their own passport. This has been the case since 01 Oct 2004 in the Republic of Ireland and 05 Oct 1998 in Northern Ireland.

If your child is already included on your passport, he or she is not affected by this change and can continue to travel on your passport until it expires or until they reach the age of 16. However, please be aware that some countries may refuse entry to any children without their own passports. If in doubt, parents should check with the Embassy or Consulate of the country of destination concerned before they travel.

If a new document is required during the validity of your existing passport, any child who is included on it will need to apply for a separate passport.

Passport application can be a lengthy process, so we recommend that you plan ahead and keep your holiday dates in mind.

What should I do if my passport is lost or stolen?

If you are in the Republic of Ireland, you should immediately report the loss or theft of your passport to the Gardai and the Passport Office. You will also need to complete and sign a PAS L Statement of Loss form, which must be witnessed by the Gardai or relevant police authorities. This form can be obtained from the following sources:

• Garda stations
• Post Offices displaying the Serviceplus logo
• Your local passport office
• Online through the Department of Foreign Affairs website
  
  

If you are in the UK, you should immediately report the loss or theft of your passport to the police and to the UK Passport Service (UKPS). You will need to complete and sign a lost/stolen declaration form. This can be obtained from the following sources:

• The Passport Advice line on 0870 521 0410
• The UKPS website on the Passport Services website
• Your local passport office or police station
• Selected Post Office branches offering the passport application Check & Send service

If you are abroad, report the loss or theft of your passport immediately to the local police and for Republic of Ireland passport holders the Irish Embassy or Consulate. For UK passport holders you should, along with the Police, also contact the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Consulate, Embassy or High Commission.

Of course, having said all that, it makes life much easier if your passport isn’t lost or stolen in the first place. To minimise the risk, we suggest you keep your passport in a safe place, separate from other documents.

We also advise keeping photocopies of your passport in safe, separate places both at home and abroad. If your passport is lost or stolen, this will greatly speed up the process of replacing it.

Do I need to supply Advance Passenger Information (API) before I travel?

Paseengers travelling from the UK now need to provide Advance Passenger Information before departure. You will be able to enter this data via our website from 29th October 2009. Click here to find out more about API.

*Please note, this does not apply to customers travelling from the Republic of Ireland.

Where can I find out about ESTA requirements for travel to the USA?

Please click here to find out more about ESTA requirements for passengers travelling to the USA.