Citizens of Uganda and Zambia are among nationals from 16 countries who will be exempted from paying Irish visa application fees in 2026.
Ireland’s Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration announced the fee exemption, which covers eligible applicants from countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.
The countries included are Bosnia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Peru, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia.
The exemption applies to eligible applicants seeking both single entry and multiple entry visas. It also covers applicable preclearance applications.
However, the fee waiver does not mean citizens of the affected countries can travel to Ireland without a visa where one is required.
Applicants must still complete the relevant application process, provide the required documents and meet Ireland’s immigration and eligibility requirements.
Under the arrangement, eligible applicants will simply not be required to pay the applicable visa application fee. Their applications will continue to undergo the normal assessment process by Irish immigration authorities.
Irish authorities have advised prospective travellers to check the official immigration website before applying to confirm whether they need a visa or preclearance and whether they qualify for the fee exemption.
Travellers have also been urged to check the latest immigration requirements before making travel arrangements, as visa rules and exemptions may change.
