I am an American living in England, and my passport is in the Home Office being processed for a UK Visa (they say it will take a mere 14 weeks to complete this). At any rate, I have the opportunity to visit friends in the Antrim area. Since I am already in the UK, and northern Ireland is part of the UK, do I need the passport to travel to Northern Ireland? If necessary I can get a 2nd US Passport at the US Embassy in London, but it is not cheap and I would have a long trip down to London. Any help? Anyone made this passage and actually seen the passport check points? Thanks
Posted by
Boulder, CO, USA
780 posts
My husband is a british citizen living in the US and his passport says "Great Britain and Northern Ireland" on it. He says that you would at least need a passport, maybe even your US one. You wouldnt need a special Visa to go to Northern Ireland. The Southern part of Ireland requires something called Permittable Entry or something similar. It may be a Visa but im not sure how long you could stay.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Northern Ireland is part of the UK, and there are no requirements for a passport to travel between its parts. However, you may run into the problem of ID if you're flying. Check with the airlines to see if they'll accept a photo ID driver's license from the U-S. A friend of mine flew from Britain to N. Ireland on BA last spring and was OK with a Canadian photo ID driver's license.....but check to make sure. The U-S embassy should be up on all those requirements.
Posted by
Edmonton, AB, Canada
668 posts
You certainly do not need a passport to go between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you are flying you will need photo ID. If you go by boat you will not need anything except your ticket. I am originally from Scotland and was in England, Scotland & Northern Ireland last September.