Non-Immigrant Visas

General Information

A non-immigrant visa is required by anyone seeking temporary admission to the United States who is not eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The type of visa that is required will depend on the purpose of travel. Most travelers from qualifying countries traveling to the U.S. for business or tourism for less than 90 days will be eligible to travel visa free under the VWP. United States citizens and those who hold dual citizenship with the United States must enter and depart the United States on U.S. passports.

Applications for non-immigrant visas are accepted by appointment only by calling the Visa Information Service Monday - Friday between 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., excepting Irish Bank Holidays.

The Non-Immigrant Visa Unit processes applications for temporary visas to the United States including Business (B-1), Visitor (B-2) Visas, Student (F & M) Visas, Exchange Visitor (J-1) Visas and Temporary Work Permits under the H, L, O, P and Q categories.

The information on this site is applicable to visa applications made at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin. Those making applications at other U.S. Embassies or Consulates should consult the websites for those missions. If you reside in Northern Ireland, please visit the U.S. Consulate General in Belfast web site for information about applying for a visa in Northern Ireland. 

Note: The Transit Without Visa and the International-to-International Programs used to transit the U.S. to a further destination without a visa have been suspended. In general, travelers in transit through the United States require valid C-1 visas unless they are eligible to transit the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). All travelers not eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program, or are not a national of a country where visa requirements are waived, will need a C-1 visa to transit the U.S.  For further details on the suspension of these programs, please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs web site.

Refused a Visa

Visa Refusals under the provisions of Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act are not subject to appeal. Applicants are welcome to reapply for a visa when there is a significant change in their personal circumstances.  The applicant must schedule an appointment, attend a personal interview with a consular officer and make a complete new application including all possible additional evidence of his or her eligibility.

Travelers who have been refused a visa under the provisions of Section 221(g) or 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act are not ineligible to apply to travel visa free visa under the Visa Waiver Program.  However, they will be questioned by an immigration official at the U. S. port of entry regarding the refusal by the Embassy or Consulate.

The traveler should carry with him or her evidence of his or her intention to depart the United States at the end of the visit. This is generally satisfied by furnishing evidence of strong social and economic ties to the traveler's place of permanent residence. There is no set form that this should take as each person's circumstances differ.  If the immigration officer is not satisfied that the traveler meets the qualifications for nonimmigrant status, the traveler will be denied entry. 

Visa Ineligibilities and Possible Waivers

Certain persons are ineligible under U.S. law to receive visas. In some instances an applicant who is ineligible, but who is otherwise properly classifiable as a visitor, may obtain a waiver of ineligibility and be issued a visa.  

General Visa Inquiries

Call the Visa Information Service Monday - Friday between 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Case specific inquiries (applications already submitted): Call +353-1-668-8777: 1:00-4:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

We regret that we cannot reply to visa inquiries by e-mail.  Please fax your inquiry to our Visa Information Unit at  (01) 668-8881.  Please include a return fax number and we will respond to you as quickly as possible.