Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland

As you appear to have discovered the arrangements of the CTA only apply to its member citizens. For example, Irish citizens living in the UK or British citizens living in Ireland can travel freely within the Common Travel Area (CTA).

Other nationalities travelling within the CTA remain subject to national immigration requirements. How might this affect US citizens? One example is if you enter the CTA at an Irish airport you get permission to stay for up to 90 days. At a UK airport, you can get permission to stay for up to 6 months. That can catch out visitors; getting a cheap flight across the Atlantic to Dublin thinking they can then stay in London for six months, but they’re stuck with a 90-day Irish visa. But I digress.

It’s an open border between the Republic and the North so you will simply drive across. Nothing to notice other than the change from kilometres to miles on the road signs. As long as you comply with Dublin’s entry requirements you have nothing to be concerned about when travelling with the CTA. Even though the CTA doesn't apply to foreign nationals you still get many of its benefits in practice.

Question to the poster who replied here that the length of stay in the CTA is determined by the country into which you fly, regardless of their respective length of stay guidelines? I'm planning to spend 3-5 months in Ireland / UK next summer / fall. Was under the impression that I could fly into Ireland, spend up to 90 days there, and then 'reset' the clock, so to speak by jaunts over to Scotland and England. Is that NOT the case?

Attending my daughter's med school graduation in Cork on May 27, but have obligations at home that prevent me from leaving until just a couple of days before then, so was hoping to fly fairly direct (Dublin / Cork) to get there quickly for the big event and then begin my sabbatical. Needing to fly into a UK airport first and then travel to Cork would present a bit of a time crunch. Guidance appreciated!

Cat

Cat – when you enter Ireland you’ll get 90 days. There are no passport controls from the Republic of Ireland to the UK so jaunts to Scotland etc will not be recognised as entering the UK. (There may be passport checks from the UK for non-CTA citizens travelling from the UK to Ireland - not 100% sure on this).

If you want to stay for 3+ months you’ll need to enter the UK from a third country e.g. take a cheap flight to France, and from there enter the UK. Or enter the UK in the first instance rather than Ireland.

Trust this helps.

Kelly.Cat: If I remember correctly, when I (US citizen) flew from Dublin to Glasgow I did not go through passport control. However, when I flew from Glasgow to Dublin I did. When I had entered Ireland initially (from the US) and was asked how long I would be in Ireland and I explained I would be going to Scotland then returning to Ireland for one night before returning to the US the immigration official told me that I should make sure I explain that when I reentered Ireland.

I suggest you start a new thread for your question. It is sufficiently different from the title of this thread that those who may be able to answer your question more specifically may not respond to it.