What are the visa requirements for a Thai spouse traveling to Ireland from the UK post-Brexit?

visa requirements Thailand Ireland UK immigration pre-settled status Common Travel Area post-Brexit travel family wedding Thai spouse Irish visa

Oct 9, 2022

2 years ago

Dec ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Not sure if anyone here is in a similar situation 

Just wondering if anyone here can advise me please , I'm irish living in the uk.

My thai wife is living here with me on pre settled status .we want to travel to the Republic of Ireland for a family wedding and we are unsure of visa requirements as I think after brexit it has changed and a visa is required. 

Any help with this would be great thanks .

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An Irish resident seeks advice on the visa requirements for their Thai wife, who holds pre-settled status in the UK, for travel to the Republic of Ireland for a family wedding. Community members discuss the implications of Brexit on travel, highlighting that non-EU spouses typically need a visa to enter Southern Ireland, even though there was once a visa waiver for short stays. They advise checking Irish immigration policies, as the situation may allow for some exceptions or waivers considering the wife's UK residency status.

Allan ********

I’m fairly sure it’s common travel area before and after brexit. I’m dual citizen and wife is on the EU pre-settlement scheme. We flew out of Dublin airport the other month and travel in Ireland all the time. She flew into Dublin airport as well before she even had pre-settlement and was on a British tourist visa.

2 years ago

Dec ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Allan *******

o right , and never any hassle ? Just show residence card and passport?

2 years ago

Allan ********

@Dec *******

pretty much. but it’s best to travel/fly to Belfast to be safe before crossing the border. No need to show anything.

2 years ago

Reply to

Allan ********

Bob *********

I am not a visa expert but I considered visiting a friend in Southern Ireland when my Thai wife was visiting me in uk a couple of years ago. What I found out was that UK and Ireland are in the Common Travel Area and there was a Visa waiver scheme for non EU nationals visiting UK on a short stay visa. At the time that would have meant she could visit on her UK visa as long as she returned before it expired. Trouble was they suspended the scheme due to covid. I just checked and they have resumed it. But it is only for visitors on a short stay visa up to 6 months. It doesn't apply if your wife is on pre settled status it seems. From what I saw on the Irish immigration Web site she would need to apply for a visa but she may not need to pay for it being resident in the UK. I guess there is the option to fly to Belfast but crossing into the south without a visa could be a problem if you are stopped for any reason. Good luck I hope you get to the wedding.

2 years ago

Bob *********

@Dec *******

am glad it was, helpful. The Irish immigration Web site is easy to find on Google and has all the information and links you would need.

2 years ago

Dec ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bob ********

thanks mate ,this was helpful 👍

2 years ago

Adam ********

@Dec *******

i dont know about pre settled but for short visit visa it is.

2 years ago

Adam ********

@Dec *******

My Thai wife has just got her UK Visa as we also have wedding in Dublin. We found that if you enter UK first you don't need visa for Republic of Ireland as Bob has said.

2 years ago

Dec ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Adam *******

I think this is only for a short term UK visa like a 6 month holiday, don't think it works for pre settled status residence card, I might be wrong

2 years ago

Reply to

Dec ********

Ron *******

Unless your wife is holding a UK passport, she will need a visa for Southern Ireland.

That has always been the case even before Brexit.

2 years ago

Ashley ********

@Ron ******

just fly to Belfast and go by car South no checks

2 years ago

Dec ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ron ******

she has been to ireland with me many times before brexit on her uk visa ,no problems was able to stay up to 90 days if she wanted, I assume I could fly into Belfast on her uk visa? An option I'm exploring

2 years ago

Reply to

Dec ********

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