General Updates
Ireland
The Minister for Justice has announced that Belarus and Russia will be removed from the list of countries which may avail of the Short Stay Visa Waiver Scheme.
The Short-Stay Visa Waiver Programme, allows nationals of certain countries who have entered the United Kingdom on foot of certain UK short stay visas, to travel to Ireland without the requirement to obtain an Irish visa. They instead may use the time remaining on their current leave to remain in the UK.
In relation to visa applications from Russian citizen, Ireland currently assesses all visa applications from Russian nationals on a case-by-case basis. Every application is assessed according to criteria appropriate to the category of visa sought and includes evidence of financial standing, health insurance, and where appropriate, an employment permit etc. Checks are also carried out for any adverse immigration history or criminal record.
The Irish government has also clarified that they will not recognise Russian passports issued in occupied foreign regions for the purpose of issuing visas and crossing external borders. The non-recognition Russian passports issued in occupied foreign regions will not affect the asylum rights of any individual or the right of any Ukrainian national who is entitled to Temporary Protection.
COVID-19 Updates
Russia
- Effective 21 October 2022, the requirement to provide a negative PCR test for entry to Russia is abolished.
- Previously, all foreign nationals (except nationals of Belarus and the EAEU arriving by land) were required to present a negative result of a PCR test carried out no more than 48 hours before entry.
- Russian nationals are also no longer required to present a negative PCR test within three days after arrival.
- All inbound travellers are still required to complete an arrival questionnaire.
