Useful tips for documents when travelling to Ireland

There is no doubt about it. Travel bureaucracy is no fun and can bewilder the unwitting traveller. Here are some useful tips to consider when travelling to Ireland.

Getting In: Passports and Visas
British-born citizens and other EU nationals do not require a visa to travel to Ireland, however a valid passport or national identity card is required. Also be aware That Ireland is NOT a Schengen country and so if you are a Schengen passport holder you will need to check this out before leaving home. Non-EU passport holders may need to apply for a visa to come to Ireland, however, some may not. For a comprehensive list of visa categories and requirements, visitors should log on to the Irish National Immigration Service (INNIS), www.inis.gov.ie or the Department of Foreign Affairs, www.dfa.ie. It is important to note that a visa does not automatically guarantee entry to Ireland. It permits you to travel there, but the power lies in the hands of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry who not only decides on whether or not entry to the State is granted but also how long you are permitted to stay here.

Crossing the Border
If you are also intending to cross over into Northern Ireland, you should be aware of several things. First, there are no border checkpoints between NI and the ROI, so it is important to have all relevant documentation with you, remembering that a UK visa does not entitle you to enter the ROI. If you are a non EU national and require a visa to enter the UK or ROI then you must make sure of your visa status before leaving home. Travellers should also note that the ROI speed limits and distances are in kilometers, whereas in the UK they are written in miles.

Health and Medication
One can never prepare for unforeseen disaster. However, if you are suffering from a pre-existing illness or condition, it is a good idea to plan ahead. If, for example you have a condition that requires specific medication, it is a good idea to bring along a signed letter from your doctor explaining your condition. This is especially important if you need to travel with prohibited items such as syringes. A signed letter (or even two separate ones for good measure) from your doctor will make things a lot easier. Other small precautions like bringing along a spare pair of glasses, contact lenses and your optical prescription may also save you a lot of unnecessary hassle. It is especially important to bring any special or vital medication with you in their original packaging, along with their generic names in the event that you need to fill a prescription. Ireland, unlike the Amazon, is not home to malaria carrying mosquitoes or tropical diseases and so no specific jabs are required to travel to Ireland. The World Health Organisation, however, recommends that everyone travelling pretty well everywhere should be covered for illnesses such as: tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, polio and hepatitis B. Long haul plane travellers should also be mindful of possible Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT's). Remember, the longer the flight, the more likely this condition could occur, especially when crossing more than five time zones.

Health Insurance
Whereas British-born citizens need only provide proof of residence to obtain free emergency medical cover, other EU countries will need their European Health Insurance Card as proof of their residency and will then be able to receive free emergency treatment. Non-EU countries may be involved in a reciprocal health agreement with Ireland and so if you are a non-EU national, it is worth checking out the status of your home country before leaving. It is important to remember incidentally that the EHIC card is NOT a substitute for health insurance and travellers are advised to invest in fully comprehensive travel insurance before travelling. This also covers issues such as lost luggage.