I understand that an American can stay in Ireland up to three months before leaving. Does anyone know how long a person must then remain outside of Ireland before returning? Also, if I stay in Ireland for only two months, Can I return soon thereafter for another 1 month? I understand that Ireland is not a Schengen Zone country so the standard 90 days within the Schengen Zone in, then 90 days outside the Schengen Zone rule may not apply?
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8055 posts
No the 90 Days in, 90 days out does not apply. Ireland, like the UK notes the time in country as "Up to", you likely will be asked your plans and allowed entry based on your response. Once when visiting Ireland I was asked my plans and mentioned about a week and a half of activities and was granted entry for something like 3 or 4 weeks, not the 90 days.
As for reentry, like the UK, much is left up to the immigration officer. What is your plan? Why are you here? Where are you staying? Solid answers will likely get you entry, but vague answers after being out a few days or a week will raise flags and you might be turned away. Repeated entries after 90 day stays would certainly raise a flag.
There also quirks around the Common Travel Area with the UK, if in the UK, you might enter Ireland without a passport check, but if flying you likely would. Ireland still controls your time in Country, but they honor any visa or waiver provided by the UK.
What are your plans or what are you trying to accomplish with more than 90 days?
Posted by
OP
11 posts
Thanks for the reply. Thinking of buying or renting a holiday home so need to have some assurances of the time I am allowed to stay in Ireland each year. So you are saying that unlike Schengen rules which seem pretty clear on how long a person can stay in the Zone, remain outside of the Zone and then return to the Zone, Ireland has no such rules and its up to the whim of the border garda?
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5456 posts
The more it looks as if you are trying to live for prolonged periods in Ireland, rather than just visit it, the more likely you are to be turned away.
Posted by
1172 posts
If you are considering buying or renting long term, I would call the Irish embassy in your city/state and ask them. I would not be taking advice from a travel board.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8055 posts
I would agree that talking to the embassy might be a place to start, or maybe someone who handles real estate transactions in Ireland to get the short version of what can and can't be done as to purchase by a non-citizen. In some countries, investment in property gets you a more favorable track toward longer term visas, not sure if Ireland has any avenues like that. But, to invest then rely on a visa waiver for use of your property seems risky.
Posted by
Bern, Switzerland
1043 posts
Well speaking as an Irish citizen and being somewhat familiar with the rules...
You need to understand that buying a property and paying regular visits to the country, even if you don't visit the actual property, puts you in a different category to a tourist, it means you maybe deemed resident. And that has all kinds of implications. For example, if you are not a tourist then your US travel insurance may refuse to cover you as you are a resident and so on.
And after BREXIT you can expect that the entire visa situation will be revised in any case as the U.K. becomes a third country. Ireland has only opted out of Schengen up to now because the U.K. had opted out. But Schengen membership is a standard requirement of EU membership so they may well join.
Bottom line - seek professional advice.