IRELAND: Question for Entry - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

paulafrapp · 11-08-2010, 02:51 PM

Hi there fellow TP's!
I'm going to be in Ireland next year and have a question regarding financial documentation. I have read several websites (of course I can't find them now) that say that you need to bring proof of being able to financially support your stay while in Ireland. I even read a newspaper article talking about 2 students who were denied entry even though they could have proved it by pulling up their bank accounts electronically.

Can anyone confirm or deny?
Should I call the Embassy or someone else "official" for verification?
If so - what kind of documentation should I bring?

thanks to all!
Paula

**Elizabeth** · 11-08-2010, 06:32 PM

Irish immigration should be no trouble at all. When you go up to the window they will ask you how long you're staying and why you're visiting. They may ask to see your proof of onward travel so have a copy of your tickets available. If you're staying for a month they may also ask for your bank statement so have that available too. Only offer up the documents if they ask for them.

The best thing to do is look like a respectable, social member of society who has things to do and places to be. You may be proud you're backpacking solo but do make it a point to tell them you're visiting and meeting friends, despite the fact you've arrived alone. People who travel alone set off red flags for some reason.

Sounds like you're just a good intentioned traveler so you should have no problem at immigration!

paulafrapp · 11-10-2010, 06:59 AM

Hi Elizabeth - thanks much for your response.
I went and looks at my itenerary and it looks like I'm staying in Ireland for 53 days........so.......should I do something special because of the length of time? It will be from roughly July thru September.....thoughts?
paula

**Elizabeth** · 11-10-2010, 09:01 AM

I would absolutely bring a copy of an onward or return ticket, plus a bank statement. If you want to know how much money you should have access to, the Irish gov't requires people applying for a student visa to have access to €7000 or (not sure if they divvy it up by calendar year or school year) €583 per month (divided by 12) or €775 per month (divided by 9). So use that as a rule of thumb.

Even if they do not ask for these two documents its better to be safe than sorry.

**marc873** · 11-11-2010, 06:57 PM

Hmmmm, Im the opposite about this topic... Show up, say your meeting friends, popping off to EU to travel, coming back to Ireland to see your friends again etc... Never offer up the truth about how long you plan on being in country... And since you wont be there long enough to have to worry about your tourist visa expiring, you should have no problems... As many times as Ive flown into the EU, all thats ever happened is a "why" are you here (to travel etc...) and a stamp in my passport...
But if you want to take the worries away, have a bank statement and chill out and enjoy... Its not as difficult as you may read... People like to overdramatize shit online....

**Elizabeth** · 11-12-2010, 10:18 AM

She shouldn't have to lie. You can be granted up to 90 days entry into Ireland and she wants to stay 53 days. I do not advocate outright lying to immigration. It's a privilege, not a right to visit another country. As long as she appears to the immigration officer as a respectful visitor who can support herself throughout her stay and intends to leave (with proof of onward or return ticket) after the stated 53 days there is absolutely no reason to lie or feel nervous.

Schengen immigration doesn't ask any questions at all. But UK and Ireland will ask you as soon as you walk up to the desk why are you here and how long are you staying.

Ireland is in deep budgetary shit right now. They'll be happy to accept your tourist $ but cannot afford to have others camping out courtesy of the state.

**marc873** · 11-12-2010, 08:06 PM

true, true, true... 53 days is very acceptible... Just the renegade backpacker in me that likes to play...

polarbear · 11-16-2010, 01:24 PM

I agree, if you were only staying a few weeks then it wouldn't matter if you lied or not, but for 50 some days I would definitely have all the proper documentation ready, but honestly i found the Irish immigration people the coolest that i ever met in Europe.

Hassie · 12-22-2010, 09:41 AM

Yes bring all the necessary documents and proof of financial stability just in case they ask to see it... but in my experience, Ireland has been such an easy country to get into - the customs guy just glanced at my passport and told me to "have a luvely visit" haha I immediately fell in love (with Ireland and Irishmen's accents!) and have been ever since