Dublin Airport is unique amongst the major European hub airports, insofar as it does not have an effective International Transit Zone, save the minor exception of the "200s" gates in T1. All passengers transiting via Dublin are required to pass Irish Immigration before proceeding to their onward flights, even when they have no intention of leaving the airport or visiting Ireland.
The reasons for this were traditionally blamed on the physical layout of Dublin Airport, yet this argument can not continue to hold especially since T2, which opened in 2011, also failed to include a transit hall and also requires all transiting passengers to clear Irish Immigration irrelevant of final destination.
The Transit Experience
In effect, the experience of transiting in Dublin differs greatly depending on (1) which gate your arriving and departing flights happen to use, (2) whether or not you have your onward boarding pass, (3) whether or not your luggage is checked to your final destination and (4) what passport you hold.
Passengers arriving at the "100s" gates (familiar to most Ryanair passengers) walk under the departure area and follow the elevated glass corridor before arriving at Immigration. Then they must walk the full length of the T1 baggage hall before climbing an escalator and taking two sharp bends before being spit out awkwardly at the main T1 security search point.
Passengers arriving at the "200s" gates (AirFrance/CityJet, AerArann/AerLingus Regional, FlyBe and others) follow a similar, if shorter route, unless they happen to have a connection departing from the same area. If they arrive and depart from the "200s," they can board their next flight without passing any security or Immigration checks at all. Yes, these are the gates normally used for flights to Donegal, and yes passengers arriving from abroad can avoid immigration entirely and enter Ireland unchecked this way.
Passengers arriving at the "300s" gates (Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, BMI and others) meet Irish Immigration in the recently revamped old US PreClearance area before arriving in the middle of the T1 baggage hall. From there they follow the same route via the esculator at baggage belt 1. All gates in T1 and T2 can be accessed from here.
T2 arriving passengers have a slightly easier time with a dedicated transit corridor equipped with its own Immigration counter and security check. Passengers can then easily access the T2 gates or alternatively can follow the warren of corridors to gates in T1.
So, other than delaying and irritating passengers, why does all this matter?
There are a number of serious disadvantages to the current system for transit passengers, for airlines and for state officials such as Immigration officers and Customs officials.
Manpower
Firstly, requiring all passengers transiting through Dublin airport to pass Immigration is a waste of resources. Why should already stretched Immigration officers be wasting time checking people who do not want to come into Ireland? Under the current layout of T1, there is no route for transit passengers to be channeled directly to security screening and as such all passengers must pass one of the two T1 Immigration points as if entering Ireland. In T2, there is such a channel although all passengers are still required to pass Immigration. This system wastes time, delays transiting passengers and is a waste of state resources. It also adds unnecessarily to lines at Immigration for actual Dublin bound passengers in T1.
Inherent Risks
Secondly, requiring passengers to clear Irish Immigration presents risks. The current system provides the possibility for transiting passengers to abscond without the knowledge of the Immigration officials. For example, there is nothing to stop transiting passengers arriving into any gate in T1 stating their intention is to transit and then simply walking out the exit by customs in the baggage hall. The cost of an onward flight and pre-printed boarding pass may prove a worthwhile investment for someone intending on sneaking into the country, or heading onward to the UK by land or sea. Furthermore, Immigration officers have no way of knowing if the transit passenger did in fact board their onward flight. This route may be of particular interest to nationals of countries who do need a visa to enter Ireland, but are exempt from needing transit visas. Similarly, it could be a route into the UK without meeting UK Border Agency checks.
As mentioned above, passengers arriving into the "200s" gates have free reign to board flights as they wish and are not security screened. With security screening this would make sense, however not where domestic and international flights depart from the same area. Under the current system a passenger can arrive off a Air France/CityJet flight from Paris and, un checked, catch the next AerArann/FlyBe flight to Donegal.
Adding further to this failure of airport design, passengers heading on domestic flights are routinely mingled with those heading abroad. This means that any transiting passenger, no matter which gate they arrive at, could simply buy a second onward flight from Dublin (a cheap Ryanair to Cork for example). By showing the first onward (International) boarding pass to Immigration officials, and keeping their second (Domestic) boarding pass hidden in their pocket, they can in effect enter Ireland without the appropriate documents. On arrival in Cork or Donegal these "domestic passengers" are of course not subject to immigration checks. There is also a chance that one could fly onward to the UK, however it's likely they would be stopped by an airline agent on boarding. If by chance they were not stopped by boarding staff, that passenger would not face any UK Border Agency checks on arrival to their UK destination. In either case if the passenger were refused boarding by airline officials, they could always revert to the Donegal option and catch the Donegal-Glasgow direct bus run by Feda brothers.
Effective Customs Enforcement
Thirdly, the current lack of distinction between domestic and international flights hinders effective Customs checks. As there is no distinction between domestic and international flights, never mind EU and Non-EU ones, transiting passengers who connect through Dublin to say Cork or Donegal, don't clear their luggage and are highly unlikely to be checked at their final destination arriving off a Dublin flight. Whilst the EU system for applying green striped checked bag tags was designed to highlight passengers arriving from Non-EU embarkation airports, clearly this is useless for passengers with no checked luggage and in any case this system is routinely ignored by overstretched Customs staff. Passengers seldom read, never mind respect, the colour coded customs channels on exiting either baggage hall in Dublin.
Irritating Passengers
A difficult transit system irritates passengers and is therefore is bad for airlines as well as the Dublin Airport Authority coffers. Less transit passengers equals less flight tickets sold, less snacks bought in transit and less landing fees collected.
Why would passengers choose a difficult transit in Dublin when so many alternatives are available? In most major European hub airports, transiting passengers can simply pass security screening and hop onto their connecting flight. They are only required to pass Immigration where they plan on entering that country or if their onward flight is domestic/Schengen. Other airports have gone further to allow passengers to even change terminals whilst staying airside. Frankfurt, for example, uses designated carriages on their monorail system whilst other airports use corridors (Amsterdam) or shuttle busses (Heathrow, St.Petersburg, Munich).
Thankfully, airside transit between T1 and T2 does exist in Dublin, however unlike landside, only gate numbers are signposted and it is assumed that passengers know all the "100s, 200s and 300s" gates are in T1 and that the "400s" are in T2. Another difficulty is the sheer distance and the lack of airside transit desks for most airlines. A passenger arriving into T2 unfortunate enough to have a connection from the "100s" gates in T1 had better have their hiking boots on and, in most cases, had better have their boarding pass in hand as they will not find a transit desk en-route. This is made worse still in T1 where most check-in desks are not equipped to print boarding passes (although this is scheduled to change). Non-EU/EEA Ryanair passengers cannot transit by following the signs even if they do have their onward boarding pass as they require a Ryanair “Visa-Checked” stamp on their boarding pass which is only available in the T1 Check-In area. Unlucky Non-EU/EEA passengers normally learn this at the boarding gate when it's too late to go back and they miss their flight without refund.
Low Cost Carriers and "Self Interlining"
Far from trying to simply catch up with international competitor airports, Dublin should embrace its low cost carrier airlines and maximise connectivity options for passengers. Low cost carriers such as Ryanair focus on point to point sales leaving their passengers to work out the logistics and take the risks of "self-interlining." Similarly they will not check your bag through to your final destination, rather requiring you to re check yourself after each flight. The difficulty with this is the need to get to the baggage hall and check-in desks to do this - not an easy task if you require a visa for Ireland and arrive into T2. Arriving into T1 does allow access to the baggage hall, re-checking your bag however will require an illegal, and awkward, de-tour via Customs and upstairs to departures similar to those seeking the elusive "Visa Checked" stamp.
Connections across the Atlantic
With US PreFlight Clearance in Ireland, Dublin (and Shannon) have a unique opportunity to provide transit opportunities for trans-atlantic passengers. With these flights deemed domestic US flights, passengers can avoid lengthy queues on arrival in the USA and there is the opportunity to open routes into cheaper domestic airports. Currently there are daily flights to New York (AerLingus and Delta) Newark (United/Continental) Boston (AerLingus), Chicago (AerLingus and American Airlines), Philadelphia (US Airways), Atlanta (Delta), and Orlando (AerLingus).
If Dublin can develop convenient transit services it is in a prime position to maximise through passenger ticket sales and hence revenues for airlines as well as the Dublin Airport Authority and its shops and restaurants.
What is the solution?
The solution to these problems is a little more complex than simply inserting transit channels which bypass Immigration and direct passengers through security to their next flight gate.
Common Travel Area
Firstly comes the question of Irish domestic flights and our commitments under the Ireland and UK Common Travel Area. Clearly passengers connecting to flights within Ireland will need to clear Immigration in Dublin, but as the UK Border agency do not check passengers arriving from Ireland (or elsewhere within the Common Travel Area), does that also mean passengers on UK bound flights must also be excluded from Immigration avoiding transit channels ? The answer is probably yes.
This will likely require physical segregation of passengers heading to Irish and UK destinations from all other passengers, probably by means of designating a particular area for all Irish and UK flights.
An alternative option might see a boarding pass control (or bar code scanner) positioned to halt Ireland and UK bound transit passengers from using Immigration avoiding transit corridors.
Both options present drawbacks. The first option would be difficult to implement, would require major physical changes to the airport and might cause difficulties for airlines who currently turnaround aircraft arriving from Ireland or the UK which go on to depart for other destinations. It would also likely frustrate any airlines ambition of keeping all their flights in one area of the airport. On both of these points Ryanair may stand to be impacted the most as it operates almost all of its flights from the "100s" gates. Aer Lingus too may have difficulties, although they already have their AerLingus Regional flights (operated by AerArann) and some other morning flights using gates far from their advertised "New Home" in T2. On the positive side however, having a designated Ireland Domestic plus UK area would be much more secure, would eliminate the risk posed by double boarding card holders and would reduce the demand on state services.
Such an area, with Ireland and UK bound passenger segregation, would allow the state to consider its policy of checking ID of passengers arriving from within the Irish and UK Common Travel Area, something long abandoned by land or sea. Do we need to bother checking passports of those arriving off flights from the UK when anyone trying to avoid the checks knows they can simply use the ferry or bus via Belfast?
The second option, using a barcode reader to halt Irish and UK bound passengers using the immigration avoiding transit channels, could be a stop gap but leaves the gate wide open for double boarding pass holders and is therefore not a great solution.
Time for a Plan
In conclusion, the current system for passenger transit in Dublin Airport is flawed. It is over burdensome on state services, is not convenient for passengers and has a few loop holes which need to be addressed. The solutions are not going to be easy due to the layout and design of the terminals. Furthermore, any changes made will demand a major re-examination of how we approach the Ireland and UK Common Travel Area. We will also need to consider our willingness to facilitate low cost carrier self interlining and what we expect in terms of Customs checks. Difficult as it may be, Dublin Airport needs to wake up and take on this challenge or it will continue to see passengers go elsewhere.
Joe O Murchadha
22 APR 2012
Dublin Airport Authority Maps - Click Here
AerLingus Connection Info - Click Here
Irish Aviation Authority ICAO Docking Chart - Click Here
Disclaimer - Policies, regulations and procedures on the ground change from time to time, however a diligent effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information.
This comment has been removed by the author.
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On related points-
ReplyDeleteOne
When going through Irish Immigration in Dublin with mixed nationality families, (for example an Irish mother and her young Irish citizen children and their father a US Citizen), the family must split up and the father must go through the non-EU section. This does not seem to be best international practice.
When entering US immigration (eg. Logan/Dulles) the same family (Irish mother and children Irish and the Father a US Citizen) can go through the US Citizen Section the reasoning being part of the family is US. This can cause huge inconvenience in Dublin for families. It gets hugely inconvenienced when you picture the same family travelling without the mother on their next arrival in Dublin! (adults and children splitting up!)
Simple alternatives to this can be seen not too far from the Irish immigration Desks in Dublin; In fact when going through US immigration in Dublin Airport - a US citizen and their Irish girlfriend can proceed together through the US Citizen section and do not need to be inconvenienced!
Two
The non-EU citizen line takes far longer on average. Two London based business-men travelling recently to a meeting in Dublin arrived into Dublin Airport (from Heathrow). On arrival the first business–man, a British citizen could proceed through the EU-Citizen Section, while the second business-man, a US citizen had to go through the non-EU Section. Their company had arranged a car to bring them to the meeting, however the British citizen was through immigration more than an hour before the second. This is not pro-business practice!
Three
This second point could easily be fixed if the EU-Citizens section of Irish Immigration also accepted EU Resident Alien Cards. These citizens live and work in the EU and have EU government issued cards. Why do the need to line up in the complicated and slow Non-EU citizen line.
Finally
I think that it must be remembered that for many people, the Irish Immigration desk is their first encounter with Ireland. Legal visitors should not be inconvenienced and should feel welcomed. Many other countries have made the situation more comfortable and less inconvenient. Instead of the plain stamp some countries immigration stamps are fun, imaginative and thought provoking:
“Antigue and Barbuda: The Beach is only the Beginning”
“Monserat: One Hundred Thousand Welcomes” (Shaped as a Shamrock!)
That's not entirely correct. That family can join the non-EU Queue, because an EU citizen CANNOT be refused entry to Ireland.
DeleteI usually use the non-EU Queue at Stansted in the UK (as it's usually empty), and while I have got scolded for it, I've firmly asserted that they cannot tell me, a person covered by freedom of movement, in what Queue I can and can't go, and they know that's the case.
RTE - 15MAY2012- Dublin Airport fails EU security audit on two grounds - http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0515/dublin-airport-security-eu-audit.html
ReplyDeleteRTE 1 Radio - LiveLine 16 May 2012
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2012/pc/pod-v-16051223m18slivelinesecurity-pid0-1398528_audio.mp3
Joe,
ReplyDeleteI came across your article when doing my research on visa requirement for my upcoming flight to UK that includes a transfer at Dublin Airport.
I am living in Boston, USA and will fly Aer Lingus directly to Dublin and then connect to an onward flight from Dublin to London, UK. I hold a Chinese passport and a UK "C" general visa and I am aware that I need a visa to ENTER Ireland. But for the purpose of transfer/transit, it seems like an Irish transit visa is NOT required, according to this official link: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Transit.
But just as you mentioned, all transfer passengers at Dublin Airport need to go through passport control (thus clear Irish immigration?) before proceeding to onward flights. Does this mean that I DO need an Irish visa to make the transfer?
While Aer Lingus flights from Boston arrive at Dublin Airport T2, my onward flight to UK might depart from either T2 or T1. Does the departure terminal make any difference in terms of the visa requirement?
I also read your article on the "Common Travel Area Between Ireland and the UK". If flights from Dublin to UK are treated as domestic and thus not subject to UK immigration control, where should I expect to clear UK immigration, at Dublin Airport before boarding my onward flight or after arriving at London?
All these are very confusing and I did extensive search online but still couldn't find a definitive answer. I've sent an email to visamail@justice.ie seeking answers but am still waiting for their response.
Do you know the answer to amy of these puzzles? Thank you for the info in your article!
Dan,
ReplyDeleteAs a Chinese national you do not require a transit visa for your proposed connection in Ireland. This is summarized on the INIS website, and comes from S.I number 345 of 2011, Immigration Act 2004 (http://alturl.com/pitwb).
On arrival in Dublin, no matter which terminal, you will pass an Immigration checkpoint. All US originating flights use Terminal 2, which has a dedicated "Transit Only" Immigration post. When you reach the main Immigration checkpoint, turn to the left. This will be a convenient transit and is not something you should worry about.
I would recommend you having all your paperwork ready as the Irish officer will likely check your UK visa, and perhaps may also wish to see proof of return/onward flights and that you have sufficient funds for your trip. You will receive a transit stamp in your passport.
On arrival in the UK you will not meet any immigration officials. In theory the UK authorities trust the Irish officers judgement and there will be no further checks.
On the return leg, assuming you use the same route, you will have a similar transit, however the Irish officer will be more interested in your US paperwork and permission to travel onward out of Ireland. In this case the airline staff in London are likely to scrutinize your paperwork more strictly than the immigration officer in Dublin will. In either case you will also pass a US Immigration checkpoint before you catch your connection, arriving into the US similar to a domestic arriving flight.
Nothing to worry about once you have the correct paperwork ready and to hand. Enjoy your trip with Aer Lingus.
Thank you so much, Joe! Your explanation is so much clearer than the email responses I got from the Irish Consulate in Boston and the Justice Department. I am a permanent resident of U.S. so am not worried about getting back to Boston. Thanks again! :)
DeleteOne addendum to the above,
ReplyDeleteIf your onward flight is with Ryanair there is a separate procedure to be followed. All Non-EU citizens travelling with Ryanair are required to present their immigration credentials for inspection at the Ryanair Check-In area of Terminal 1 to be given a Ryanair stamp on their Boarding Pass. This is an airline rule and it is strictly enforced, as is the mandatory online Check-In rule.
In this scenario, if you arrive into Terminal 2, you will have to request that the Immigration officer allow you to exit the transit corridor to get this stamp. I have not heard positive or negative experiences on how it would work but I cant imagine Immigration being delighted about such a request. In Terminal 1 it will be easier to get outside in either case, as outlined in the main column.
Has anyone had experience with this ?
Joe
I did notice that. Though not planning to travel on Ryanair, British Airways is one option I am considering when go from Dublin to London. They are in T1 but do not require the visa stamp. So I guess I will be fine ...
DeleteDan
ReplyDeleteMy replies above were based on the assumption that you had already bought the tickets. It might have been more sensible to use the same airline on a "thru ticket˝ to allow for thru checked luggage. Options for Dublin to London are Aer Lingus, British Airways, Ryanair, City Jet, Aer Arann and FlyBe. Have a good trip!
Hi Joe,
ReplyDeleteI have similar question as Dan. I am travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dublin on Etihad Airways and have separate reservation booked on Aer Lingus from Dublin to Paris within few hours of my arrival in Dublin. I have Indian Passport with Schengen Visa. I would not be having any checked luggage. The Irish consulate website states that I do not need a transit visa, but I want to make sure. Do you think my scenario is similar to Dan and I can transit without getting Irish Visa?
Infokiosk,
DeleteI see no problems here, and it will also be easy due to the fact that you dont have checked baggage. If possible print your second boarding pass online before you go, but this is not technically necessary. Have a good trip.
Hi Infokiosk, can you give us some feedback on your experience for other passengers please.
DeleteUpdate:
ReplyDeleteThe Dublin Airport Authority have built a new connection corridor from the 300s gates (arrivals leval)in Terminal 1 to the transfer desk and immigration check in Terminal 2. This allows airlines and authorities to determine whether arriving passengers at the 300s gates arrive in effect into Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. Aer Lingus seem to direct their passengers to Termainal 2 as a standard procedure by this method.
Hi Joe,
ReplyDeleteI am travelling from Boston USA to India. I have two transits one in Dublin Ireland and then in Abu Dhabi UAE. All tickets are in same flights Etihad airways. Both the transits are of around 3 hrs duration. I am an Indian National and have a valid US visa.
Do I need to have a transit visa in Dublin Ireland?
Hi Jayant,
ReplyDeleteThe INIS website clarifies that you do not need a visa for this transit. As Etihad do not fly Boston to Dublin, I guess this will be an AerLingus code share flight to Dublin.
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Transit
Thanks a lot Joe. I understand from your reply that since I am an Indian national I do not need a transit visa in Ireland,even if I travel with AerLingus from Boston to Dublin and take Etihad flight from there. Please let me know if my understanding is wrong.
DeleteThanks Joe, for an excellent article - and to others for useful comments.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly seems that extra connection time is needed when arriving at one terminal and departing the other. Does anyone have any guidance on how much time to allow? I walk quite slowly, but do have both EU and US passports.
Joe, I'll be inbound from USA on Aer Lingus arriving at 09:25, connecting to a SAS flight to Copenhagen at 10:55.
DeleteMike,
ReplyDeleteYou will be arriving into Terminal 2 and departing from Terminal 1.
Assuming you have your onward boarding pass and that your luggage is checked through: Proceed along the Terminal 2 arrivals corridor toward the Immigration post and exit. Before Immigration, veer to your left to the dedicated Transit corridor where you will likely have to show your passport and boarding pass. From there you can easily pass downstairs through security and to the airside corridor to the Terminal 1 shopping area. SAS use both the far away 100s gates and the not so far 300s. If the screens say your flight departs from the 100s, then I recommend you avoid stopping for coffee as you have a full 20 minute walk ahead of you.
If you dont have your boarding pass and cant check in online or if you need to collect your luggage: Proceed along the Terminal 2 arrivals corridor through Immigration, explaining that you are just transiting. Collect your luggage in the next hall and exit to the public area via Customs. When you exit into the public area, turn immediately to your left where you will find the glass corridor toward the Terminal 1 check in area. After checking in, proceed through the Security point and to the gate.
With boarding pass this will take 30 mins to the 300s gates and approx 45 mins to the 100s gates. Without boarding pass this will take approximately double depending on the security line in Terminal 1.
Have a nice flight.
Thanks Joe!
DeleteGoing through the Irish migration irrelevant of the final destination is quite disturbing for numerous passengers, many of the passengers get irritated in the halfway. Compare Car Parking UK doesn't keep any hidden surprises and keep you going smooth all through your way.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenna,
DeleteThanks for your comment.
Can I ask you to provide some further clarification so that I make sure I understand your view ? Have you had a bad experience with the Airport or with the Immigration Gardai or are we talking about car parking issues also ?
I am a Filipino national and will transit through Dublin from Abu Dhabi to Agadir ,Morocco . I will arrive in T2 and will need a boarding pass to Agadir. What is the transit procedure can I exit to get the boarding pass from T2 ? I need to be sure .I do not require a transit visa in Dublin.
ReplyDeleteAtkin,
ReplyDeleteI presume you are arriving in off Etihad from Abu Dhabi, then transiting to Aer Lingus flight to Agadir. Both Etihad and Aer Lingus use Terminal 2.
When you say that you will need the onward boarding pass, is this because you have two seperate flight bookings? If so, Aer Lingus can issue boarding passes at the gate, or you have the option to check in online before you board, or on your phone. If you go for the gate option, then bring a printed copy of your Aer Lingus ticket to show to the Immigration Trasit counter.
As regards luggage, if you have checked luggage on the first flight I recommend asking Etihad if they will bag tag your luggage through to the final destination. They may refuse to do this if you have two seperate tickets, or you might be able to convince them by showing that your Aer Lingus ticket includes a luggage allowance for checked luggage. I strongly recommend trying.
If you have checked luggage, and can not convince Etihad to check it through to the final destination with Aer Lingus, then you will have to exit normal T2 Immigration (not transit) to the baggage hall to re-check your luggage. To do this you will likely have to explain to the Immigration Garda why you want to exit this way, which may be difficult as Filipino nationals normally do require a visa to enter Ireland (note they are not listed on the S.I. No. 345 of 2011 See: http://alturl.com/pitwb). I recommend having your onward ticket, your proof of checked bag which needs collecting and any other evidence that you will in fact take your onward flight to Agadir. The Immigration Garda may either accompany you to ensure you do take the outbound flight, or may trust you to do so yourself depending on your ability to demonstrate your motives. From there you can collect your luggage, proceed via customs downstairs to Aer Lingus Check In and then join the normal security channel to take your flight. This will take approx 90 mins assuming your luggage comes out quickly.
Unfortunatly this is the inconvenience of travelling on two seperate tickets through a country where you do require a visa for normal entry. Its doable, but have your paperwork ready to demonstrate in case you do need to reclaim your luggage.
Joe
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ReplyDeletehttp://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/journey-from-hell-to-an-uncertain-future-abroad-30531620.html
ReplyDeleteThis link shows the risk for a closed transit area whereby passports are not checked by Immigration. I am told they have private security guards in Amsterdam checking flights to Ireland . I was there in April but I did not encounter one.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHow strict are the fines on airlines for taking passengers without visas ? How easy is it to enter Ireland for a non transit visa national from the UAE ?
ReplyDeleteRandal
DeleteBoth Etihad and Emirates operate from the UAE to Dublin.
Airline ticketing systems record which staff member checked in each passenger and boarding staff records are generally kept for each flight in an effort to discourage corrupt staff from looking the other way.
Your question about the levels of the fines is a good one - I will check this out.
Letting the passengers board without proper security screening is quite an alarming situation. this airport desperately needs an upgrade and a serious one. gatwick meet and greet
ReplyDeleteCarla
DeleteThis is common practice in many airports across the globe. Remember these passengers have already been security screened before their first flight.
Thanks Joe for this very helpful introduction about doing air transit in Dublin. Right now, I am having a bit confusion about my upcoming trip.
ReplyDeleteI will be arriving from United States but on a connection from Madrid on Iberia airline, then I will be taking Aer Lingus to Milan. The whole trip is on separate tickets and I will have checked bags. As a Chinese citizen, I do not need to have a transit visa. However, from your introduction and replies to other people, I assume I have to exit through normal immigration control and reclaim my baggage to Aer Lingus. Do you think it is risky to do that without an Irish Visa or would you recommend to apply a visa solely for this purpose?
Wish to hear your opinion, a lot appreciation for that.
Dear BVB
DeleteSo you are travelling USA-Madrid-Dublin-Milan, ok - unusual.
I assume you have a Schengen visa for your final destination Italy, and that it is multi-entry as will be required when you enter and then exit the Schengen zone in Madrid en route. If not then you will have problems rebooking your luggage in Madrid also and should seek advice on that seperatly.
In Dublin you will arrive into T1 with Iberia. They usually use either the 100s gates or the 300s gates. Assuming its the 100s gates all passengers, including transfer passengers will have to exit via the baggage hall in either case, so your scenario will not seem too unusual to the Immigration Officer. If you arrive into the 300s gates the linking tunnel to Terminal 2 is mainly used for Aer Lingus arrivals only, as part of AerLingus strategy to only use T2.
In either case, you do not require a visa to transit as a Chinese national in Dublin airport. Were it not for your unusual route, this would be quite straightforward. I recommend bringing copies of your documents, proof of onward travel to Milan, proof of what you will do in Milan and also evidence of funds / return home ticket for afterwards. Either the Immigraiton officer will trust you based on this, or he will accompany you to collect your bags, re-check (in Terminal 2) and exit on your onward flight.
In either case this will be a fine but time consuming transfer. Transferring through a country which you require a visa for on seperate tickets with your luggage not checked through is always a pain, but it can be done in Dublin.
Hi BVB, can you give us some feedback on your experience for other passengers please.
Deleteits really a good knowledge about immigration for new visitors i like your blog
ReplyDeletemeet and greet valet parking gatwick
Hi Joe, my family and I are arriving in Dublin on a United flight from the States. I think this should be in T2. We're planning on buying tickets on Aer Lingus to Amsterdam, but I wonder if you know how much time we might need between flights? Will we have to exit through customs and then re-enter and go through security again? I'm not sure if we will have any checked baggage yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Nic
Nicolette,
ReplyDeleteThe connection above is within T2.
You will arrive into the T2 arrivals section, along with all other flights originating in the USA. Walk along the arrivals corridor and then take the left option for Connecting Flights. There will be quick immigration check, security and then back down stairs straight to your flight to Amsterdam with Aer Lingus (Also T2). Assuming you don't have checked baggage, and you have checked in online, this is possible in under an hour.
If you have checked baggage, which is not checked through by United onto the Aer Lingus flight to Amsterdam (its likely they wont do this for you on two separate tickets) you will have to pass the main Immigration Checkpoint (stay right if you are not an EU citizen) and collect your baggage in the baggage hall. Clear customs and proceed downstairs to the Aer Lingus Check-In hall to the left. Note that Aer Lingus check in desks can be very busy early mornings. I would recommend two and a half hours for this if you need to collect and re-check luggage.
Enjoy!
Hi Nicolette, can you give us some feedback on your experience for other passengers please.
DeleteHI Joe,
ReplyDeleteI'm flying from Spain to Philippines. I have Philippines passport and I have two connecting flight one in dublin and one in abu dhabi.
Do i need to a visa to dublin even just a connecting flight?
Hi Marie D,
ReplyDeleteFilipino nationals do not require a transit visa for Ireland. The transit corridor officer will simply check your onward boarding passes/ticket to ensure that you are not staying in Ireland. If you try leave the airport you will require a visa.
http://inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Countries%20whose%20nationals%20are%20visa%20required
But why some of travel agency say philippines passport not allowed to fly to dublin and get the connecting flight. Anyway Thank you for letting me know Joe.
ReplyDeleteHi Marie D, can you give us some feedback on your experience for other passengers please.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDear Joe,
ReplyDeleteI am an Indian passport holder. I am transiting to Glasgow via Dublin airport. I am coming via ethihad (t2) and taking are lingus (t2). While going I have 2 30 hrs transit time and while return I have 1 45 hrs transit time. Kindly let me know immigration requirements and how much time I have to spend for these process. Do I need to do a luggage re check and security check in both directions. What all other things I should take care since the transit time small.
Thanks for the help
Hari
Hari,
ReplyDeleteThis will be a smooth transit.
As an Indian National you do not require a transit visa to change planes in Dublin airport. ( see link : http://inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Countries%20whose%20nationals%20are%20visa%20required )
Assuming your Aer Lingus flight number has three digits (eg: EIXXX) rather than four digits (eg: EI XXXX) you will be with Aer Lingus from Terminal 2, rather than StobartAirAirArann, an Aer Lingus contract partner, from Terminal 1. Assuming you bought the ticket with Etihad, then you may not be able to see this as it will instead show Etihad Code Share codes, but not to worry. In either case there will be no need to collect and re-check luggage in Ireland as Etihad will check to final destination.
Exit the plane (Etihad always use the same gates in T2 nearest the terminal center), you will be directed upstairs to the main arrival corridor. Stay left at immigration to the Transit Immigration counter where your passport and onward boarding pass will be checked. The corridor will direct you via security and then back down stairs to Terminal 2 Departures.
Enjoy!
Hi Hari, can you give us some feedback on your experience for other passengers please.
DeleteHi Joe, I'm Peruvian but I'm studying in the US, on june 7 I'm going to Spain for a conference. I will stop in Dublin for 1:25 while I take my next connection. Do I need transit visa?
ReplyDeleteThank yoiu
M.Arceli,
ReplyDeleteInfo on visa requirements is available here :
http://inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Countries%20whose%20nationals%20are%20visa%20required
Peruvian nationals do not require a transit visa for in airport transit connections in Dublin airport. You will meet and pass immigration, and will likely be asked to show your Schengen visa for Spain, your onward ticket or boarding pass and perhaps proof of the conference etc.
Enjoy your trip.
Hi M.Arceli, can you give us some feedback on your experience for other passengers please.
DeleteI'm flying from the U.S. to London, entering Dublin from England by ferry, flying from Dublin to Paris via Aer Lingus, and taking the Eurostar from Paris back to London.
ReplyDeleteI have a U.S. passport, and I'll have the return ticket from London to the U.S. It doesn't sound like I need a visa for Ireland or France, but will my one-way ticket from Dublin to Paris pose a problem? Do I need to by my Eurostar ticket from Paris to London in advance to prove return travel? Thanks!
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteAs a US passport holder travelling from England (Liverpool I assume, but same applies for Wales) to Ireland, to France to England and home you will not have any difficulties. US citizens do not require a visa for trips (assuming the purpose of your trip is tourism/business visit) to the UK, Ireland, of France (aka The Schengen Zone).
Arriving at Dublin port you may or may not meet immigration control. Ferries from England & Wales are checked sporadically, whilst ferries from other areas as well as cruse ships are checked more carefully. Non EU citizens are permitted to enter this way, don't worry if you don't meet an officer and don't get stamped into Ireland - this will not be a problem on exit. In all likelihood the officer will not request any of the documents you mentioned above, but always good to have them with you. Don't worry about the Eurostar ticket.
Enjoy Ireland.
Thanks so much, Joe!
DeleteHi Jeff, can you give us some feedback on your experience for other passengers please.
Deletehi, im flying manchester - dublin - jfk, with a 1hr 30min connection at dublin will aer lingus move my bag to the next plane automatically or will I need to collect it.
ReplyDeletehi, im flying manchester - dublin - jfk, with a 1hr 30min connection at dublin will aer lingus move my bag to the next plane automatically or will I need to collect it.
ReplyDeleteJamie,
ReplyDeleteAssuming that you have 1 ticket (i.e. you didn't buy two separate tickets from AerLingus) then they will automatically transfer your bag to the second flight for you. If you did buy two separate tickets, be sure to show check in in Manchester your onward ticket to see if they will thru-check it for you.
You must pass both Irish and US immigration checks in Dublin airport. The US Customs and Border Patrol officers will normally show you an electronic photo of your luggage and ask you what's inside. If they wish to inspect your luggage they will get it for you and bring it to their checkpoint area for search. You have nothing to worry about here.
90 mins for this connection is sufficient, but I would recommend you proceed directly rather than hanging around the shopping area as there can sometimes be a wait time for US customs inspection at the gate area.
Hi Jamie, can you give us some feedback on your experience for other passengers please.
DeleteI´m a Venezuelan citizen living in Spain, travelling from Madrid to Boston with Aer Lingus. I know that Venezuelan citizens need a visa to enter Ireland. But I don´t know if it is possible to make the transit connection without the visa.
ReplyDeleteAccording to your website, I understand that almost everybody in transit in Dublin Airport need to go through the immigration desks; and then I guess I would need the visa.
But at the website: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Transit%20Visas
they mention the countries that need a transit visa, and Venezuela is not in the list. So according to that I could infer that I can make transit without any visa.
What do you think? Can I go without getting a visa, or I need one?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Marco
Marco,
ReplyDeleteYou do not need a transit visa as Venezuelan citizens do not require a transit visa to pass through Dublin airport. I assume that you both have a US visa and have legal residence in Spain. You will have to pass through the immigration counters in Dublin airport (both Irish and US) but you don't need an Irish visa to do this.
As Aer Lingus use Terminal 2, you will be able to access the "Transit Immigration" corridor, far left when you approach the immigration hall, where you will likely be asked to show your onward boarding pass and perhaps your US visa and Spanish residency card.
This will be a simplex transit once your baggage is checked through. Make sure the AerLingus check in at Madrid check your luggage to Boston so your don't need to exit to the baggage hall in Dublin.
Enjoy your flight.
Hi Marco, can you give us some feedback on your experience for other passengers please.
DeleteHi Joe
ReplyDeleteI just have been reading your comments about transiting through Dublin Terminal 2. I have an Indian passport and will be travelling from Europe (where I will be on holiday on a Schengen visa) from Barcelona to Boston via Dublin on Are Lingus that will arrive at Terminal 2 from Barcelona and leave from Boston from there as well. Per the comments above, it looks like I won't need a transit visa. I wanted to know what exactly the Transit Immigration officials want travellers to show - would showing my US visa and onward boarding card suffice? I just want to know what they ask for? Any clue. Also if I get past this stage, will I be able to get to US Pre-Clearance?
I'll make sure that my bags are booked all the way to Boston from Barcelona when I check in at Barcelona airport.
Finally, although I am sure that your information is correct, is there any official site (Dublin airport or Irish immigration) that has this information?
Hope to hear from you
Thanks
Ro
Ro,
ReplyDeleteThe website is www.inis.gov.ie
Onward boarding pass and your US visa is sufficient. You will pass both Irish (transit) immigration check and US customs and immigration control in Ireland. Enjoy your flight.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteYou have been so clear in your explanations and as such I wanted to share my issue to see if I can gain further clarification.
My wife and I not aware of the visa requirement have already purchased our tickets to travel to England via a connection in Dublin in September. I am a US citizen with a US Passport while she is a US Permanent Resident with a Jamaican passport. I gather, if I read correctly that she will NOt need a visa for the connection process through Dublin into England? However, though she WILL need a UK visa in order to enter England? I checked the list of countries that need a visa to enter Ireland but don't need a transit visa and Jamaica is on it so based on your earlier explanations I believe the connection is fine, we just need the UK Visa. The other issue we're having is that we desperately want to do a one-day trip to Paris via Euro rail. However, I beleive she will also need to apply for the Schenghen visa........if that is the case, should it be general or short stay? and will they grant it based on us providing a Eurorail ticket? We're not staying in France so we can only show proof of finances and the fact that we plan to leave that same day back to London. Also can you elaborate on the proof of medical insurance visa requirement? Is that..........just proof that you have insurance? I know this is a lot, but please help us as we plan this trip, Thank you.
Mand,
ReplyDeleteYour wife will need to contact the British embassy to apply for a UK visa and the French embassy to apply for a French Schengen visa. Without a visa for the final destination (UK) she will not be permitted to board the aircraft to Dublin and will not be permitted to transit in Ireland.
Hi Joe,
ReplyDeleteI am Pakistani passport holder.i have Uk valid Residence Card. I am travelling to Glasgow via Dublin airport. I am coming via ethihad and taking aer lingus. While going to glasgow do i have to check immigration control at Dublin airport or Glasgow airport or do i have to check both airports?
Thanks for the help
Khan.
Khan,
DeleteYou will need to pass immigration in Dublin. Until recently I would have confirmed that you would not be re-inspected on arrival in Glasgow but media releases suggest this may change. Can you please let us know.
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ReplyDeleteMy Venezuelan brother-in-law is accompanying us to Faro (Portugal) on a flight from London via Dublin with ryanairn(effectively two flights) 4hr stopover . While he does not need a transit visa I wonder whether the visa stamp Ryanair policy will be an issue in T1.
ReplyDeleteJose
DeleteFrom an Irish government perspective your brother-in-law does not require a visa. See the link below. Ryanair operate via Terminal 1 in Dublin airport which does not have an operating transit corridor rather everyone exits via immigration and baggage claim. You will need to do this before going upstairs to get the second immigration stamp on boarding pass, re entering security and proceeding to your next flight.
I would recommend bringing evidence that he has visa/right to travel to final destination, proof he does not require a visa to transfer in Ireland and of course both boarding passes. I suspect Ryanair staff in the UK will examine thoroughly as their official policy is that they are point to point and don't facilitate self interlining. Another good idea would be to bring a print out of the IATA system showing he doesn't require a visa. This is easily available via the KLM website.
To be honest I suspect that the Ryanair staff will be familiar with this but will just want to cover themselves. If you get lucky they may stamp both in London saving the trip to check-in in Dublin (assuming no check bags).
Please let me know how it goes for readers future reference.
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Countries%20whose%20nationals%20are%20visa%20required
I just arrived in England from the US. I flew Aer Lingus from Boston into Dublin and then had a connecting flight to London Heathrow. When I got off the plane in Dublin I followed all the signs for connecting flights, which got me to the terminal for my flight to London. During that walk someone checked my passport and my boarding pass but my passport was never stamped, and they never directed me to anyone to have it stamped.
ReplyDeleteI arrived in Heathrow and still didn't receive a stamp. I phoned Border Patrol and they said that I should have been stamped in Dublin, but that I should be okay.
I'm only staying for two months but I will be traveling a lot around Europe. Will the lack of entry stamp cause any problems?
Thanks!
Justine,
DeleteWhat nationality are you ?
Which border patrol did you call ?
As of right now, (will change soon according to reports) the UK does not have exit immigration. As such this will not be noticed at all. Even if it is, showing your original boarding pass will prove your entry date of arrival in the UK. Nothing to worry about.
There is no mandatory agreement between the UK and Ireland that Ireland will stamp transit passengers.
I am American, I called UK border patrol when I landed in Heathrow with the phone attached to the wall in international arrivals. I've got my boarding pass for both flights, Boston to Dublin and Dublin to LHR in my passport now in case I run into trouble while traveling around Europe next month.
DeleteJustine,
DeleteI recommend keeping the boarding passes just in case but feel it is highly unlikely you will be asked for them leaving the UK or at any other time.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteMy BF and I are visiting Ireland in August and then taking a Ryanair flight to London to visit family for a few days then back to Dublin to catch the return flight to EWR (newark, nj) on United. We will only have 1 hr and 50 mins between the Ryanair inbound flight to Dublin and the United outbound flight to the US. Do you have any suggestions other than an earlier Ryanair flight? It seems we will have to retrieve our checked baggage, go through immigration and then recheck our bags for our departure. can this be done at 11am on Wednesday fairly quickly?? I realize we will be walking quite a ways.
Babs,
ReplyDeleteWhat nationality passport will you be travelling on ?
Will you have checked baggage on the Ryanair flight?
This will be a particularly difficult transit in the given time frame. Check in for the United Flight will most likely close 90 mins before the flight. This means you will have to get off the plane in T1, walk the long air corridor, pass immigration, collect baggage, exit outside, walk to terminal 2, check in with United, go upstairs through security, pass dutyfree, proceed through US customs inspections and search, pass US immigration then board the plane. is this possible in time? I don't know.
What could help?
- If you have EU passports and no checked luggage on Ryanair your exit from T1 will be faster
- If you have already checked in online for your United flight online this will help speed the process. Even better if you have no baggage for the flight to the US, but I suspect you will.
Run - It is possible if you get lucky!
I'm a US citizen and will probably have checked baggage on the Ryanair flight. I suppose my best bet is to book an earlier flight out of Luton instead of Gatwick. It would be a 630am flight so I'm sure we will have plenty of time. I wish I could say that we will be carrying on but I won't know for sure until we pack. And seeing as we are going to a black tie event, I DOUBT we will fit everything into a small suitcase!
ReplyDeleteBabs,
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I think it is a sensible decision. You are risking loosing your entire United flight value if you miss the check-in time. A new/changed arriving flight and or changed United flight would be a good idea.
Also, as a US Citizen, don't remember that you must get your boarding stamped by Ryanair check in - even if you don't check luggage on the flight and even after you checked in online!!!!
Sorry its not what you wanted to hear, but I think rebooking is the right approach.
Joe
Agreed! Thank you for replying so fast! There is not a lot of information on the internet about this stuff so I appreciate you educating the masses!!! :)
DeleteHi Joe. I'm intending to book two flights to go from Prague to the UK via Dublin. The first flight will be with AerLingus and the second one with Ryanair. I'm Brazilian and I hold an UK Student Visa. I've read the article and most of the comments, but I'm still wondering if I'll have any problems as there won't be any UK Border Stamp on my passport. I suppose I'll need to pass through immigration on Dublin to reach my second flight gate, right? The time between the flights will be 2h55min. Do you think it's enough to do everything, including the Visa Check Stamp for Ryanair? Thank your for the help, your article was really good.
ReplyDeleteHi Pablo,
ReplyDeleteYour trip is possible.
As a Brazilian national you do not need a visa to transit in Dublin. (See http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Countries%20whose%20nationals%20are%20visa%20required) Whether or not the UK authorities check you on arrival (normally not) will not matter once you keep evidence of when you arrived (your boarding pass) if ever asked about this.
As your second flight is with Ryanair, you will have to exit T2 completely, walk to T1 and check in with Ryanair even though you will have already checked in online. You have enough time to do this without problems.
Enjoy your flight and hope your next visit to Ireland is a longer one!
Thanks a lot for your quick reply. It was really helpful for me to decide to book these flights (I was really unsure about it). Cheers!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletei am a chinese national studying in uk, i will fly to ryanair form edinburgh to dublin and transfer in dublin to a emirates flight back to china. i know that ryanair do passport checks, will i get any problems if i explain to them that i am not transit through dublin airport? i also need to check my luggage again in dublin. Given the above circumstances, am i still eligible for transit visa free?
ReplyDeleteJouhao Ye,
DeleteYour sentence ..."i am not transit through dublin airport".. has confused me somewhat, but I understand that you do in fact intend to be a transit passenger only, and do not intend to visit Ireland or leave the airport. Is this correct ?
As a Chinese National you do not need a visa to Transit at Dublin airport (but you would need one to enter Ireland for visit/work or any other purpose). If the only reason for your trip via Dublin is Transit, and if you do not intend to leave the airport you are not required to apply for a Transit Visa in advance.
Ryanair require that all Non-EU Citizens get a visa stamp from the Ryanair desk on their online printed boarding pass before they pass security and go to the flight gate. They will need to see proof that you are a transit passenger before they allow you to travel.
I recommend that you print your Etihad flight ticket in full and have it with you ready if asked by the Ryanair Staff. If it is possible to check in for the Edihad flight online, I would also do this and bring a print out of the boarding pass with you, although this is not required. In addition, you might consider printing the link below to bring with you, but I am confident the Ryanair staff will already have this information.
On departing the UK you will not meet and UK exit immigration inspection. On arrival in Ireland you will arrive in T1 and will need to pass GNIB Immigration post before you go to the baggage hall. At this inspection the officer will similarly demand proof that you are a genuine transit passenger. Be ready to show your Etihad ticket and any other evidence you have of your onward trip. The officer will either trust you to exit and re-enter yourself, or will accompany you to ensure that you don't abscond. (Since the introduction of the new Irish British Visa Scheme for Indian and Chinese Nationals, this has allowed some flexibility in this area. See link 2 below.
You will need to collect your checked baggage in T1, exit through Customs, go upstairs to T1 departures then use the glass corridor to connect you to T2 check in. After you check in with Etihad and recheck your luggage, proceed upstairs to security and to your flight gate.
This will be a slow and tedious transit, probably taking almost 3 hours to conduct. I recommend avoiding shopping/coffee breaks until you are in T2 departures lounge if you are short on time.
Link 1 - Who needs a visa:
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Countries%20whose%20nationals%20are%20visa%20required
Link 2 - Irish British Visa Scheme:
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/British%20Irish%20Visa%20Scheme
Sorry, what i meant was to transit. I am actually more worried about ryanair than irish immigration. I knew people to went to ireland for visit purposes without visa and got one there. Anyways,im going to supply all the documents you provided.
DeleteMany thanks!
I hold uk t4 visa so i think the irish british visa scheme does not apply to me.
DeleteYour blog is amazing! Thank you so much for your creative inspirations and thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteairport taxi heathrow
airport pickup london
Hello Joe,
ReplyDeleteI have read most of the comments so far and found it very helpful.
I am a UK passport holder travelling from Alicante to Birmingham, via Dublin [saving about £100 per person] but the connection issue worries me. I only have hand luggage.
My options are:
All flights with Ryanair - Arrive from Alicante into Dublin at 1645, and the plane departs to Birmingham at 1745. Do I stay airside for this connection?
All flights with Aer Lingus - Arrive from Alicante into Dublin at 1630, and the plane departs to Birmingham at 1745. Do I stay airside for this connection?
My obvious worry is ensuring I get the connection. I will purchase two separate tickets [ALC to DUB, DUB to BHX]
Look forward to hearing from you
Thank you very much
Paul
DeleteOption one does not allow for remaining air side as T1 used by Ryanair does not facilitate this.
The second option can be done airside T2 via the Transit corridor.
Thank you for coming back to me and the advice, and I've booked with Aer Lingus.
DeleteHi all friends can you share please
ReplyDeleteI am traveling from India to Manchester via Dublin .
Is that immigration check in Dublin . They just check visa on passport or they take finger print and investigate all .
I am not allowed to go uk . But I got student visa expire till 2016 .
Help please and reply ASAP thanks
Mujtaba
DeleteI am sorry but I am confused about your message. If I understand correctly you are trying to sneak into thr UK illegally, is that correct? If so I am sorry but I can not help you as this is not the purpose of this blog.
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ReplyDeleteHi Joe,
ReplyDeleteI find this forum quite helpful and informative, I am a PAKISTANI national with UK work permit and my girl friend who is a British passport holder we both actually flying to PAKISTAN from London Heathrow through Etihad Airways, On our way back I am coming to London via Dublin while she will be staying in Dublin for a short trip. My question is Do I have to go through immigration checks at Dublin or even in London ? Plus Do I need a transit visa because I'll be switching planes at Dublin where as my girl friend will be staying in Dublin ?
Hi French Rozay,
ReplyDeleteYou will have to go through immigration checks in Dublin, and (on a random basis) potentially also in London.
The route of your girlfriends trip does not impact on your visa status and is not relevant here. As an EU citizen she can do as she pleases in Ireland without any advance visa or authorization of any kind.
As you have valid UK residence and will only be transiting in Dublin you do not need a visa in advance. If you intend to leave the airport in Dublin you will require an Irish visa.
http://inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Countries%20whose%20nationals%20are%20visa%20required
Hi Joe, great info here - Just to clarify, is the corridor still inaccessible for airside self-transit from a Ryanair flight over to an American (T2) to the US? I'm planning to arrive with Ryanair and depart with American, with approx 1h40 inbetween. I can do without baggage to make things easier, would I still have to go T1 landside and then back T2 airside?
ReplyDeleteBargain Hunter- Yes you still have to go air side for this connection but 1hr40 should be doable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice Joe. Ryanair, for their faults, do usually stick to time!
ReplyDeleteHi Joe, I have a question. I am an Indian citizen (holding Indian passport) and have a US student visa (F1). I'd be traveling from Bengaluru,India(BLR)-Abu Dhabi(AUH)-Dublin(DUB)-Chicago(ORD) with Etihad airways(BLR-AUH with Etihad, AUH-DUB with Etihad, DUB-ORD with Aer Lingus). I have 8 hrs stopover at Dublin. Please let me know if I'd require a transit visa?
ReplyDeleteI went through their site: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Transit%20visas; however I am still confused. Please help
No visa required for transiting Indian citizens.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the clarification!
DeleteHi, Joe! Thanks for all the great info you have provided.
ReplyDeleteMy husband (a permanent resident of the US and a UK citizen) and I (US citizen) are traveling from Boston to Edinburgh via Dublin on Aer Lingus. The trip was booked as one reservation and we will only visit for 6 days. We have no intention of exiting the airport in Dublin. My questions are:
1. Will we have to collect our baggage after arrival in Dublin? and
2. assuming we do not have to collect our baggage, will we make our connecting flight that leaves one hour and ten minutes after arrival?
Thanks so much for your assistance!
This should be fine.
DeleteYou will not need to collect your baggage in Dublin. Your connection is within the same terminal and is not too complex. Head to the end of the corridor toward immigration, staying far left. Choose the Flight Connections option and pass Flight Connections immigration, security and the route downstairs to the gate. This will take approx 45 minutes. The Boston to Dublin flights almost always arrive in early.
Hello. Arriving to Dublin Terminal 1 from Manchester and departing also from Terminal 1 to Tallinn,Estonia. Using Ryanair on both flights. Time between the two flights is 1 hour. Can i make it? Check-in online,printed boarding passes, EU passport. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi, should be possible assuming no checked luggage. The distance is significant so pack light. Ryanair gates are a bit of a walk from the airport exit. You need to proceed via the long curved elevated corridor past immigration and baggage claim to the public area. Then turn right and head to the end of the hall, upstairs to departures and back in via security. When passed security go to the right passed the shopping area and then right again bringing you back to the long curved elevated corridor back to the Ryanair gates (this time on the departures side). Its possible but run! With a checked bag I doubt it is possible, but you might get lucky!
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ReplyDeleteHi Joe, thanks so much for the post and your reply. They are really helpful. Still have some questions that may need your kind advice - I am a Chinese citizen and holding UK work visa. I have purchased an AA air ticket from Dublin (depart at 08:55 am) directly to New York for Jun trip. Although I may not be required a Irish transit visa, which airline ticket would you suggest me to fly from Birmingham/London to Dublin for connecting my AA flight? Cheapest option is Birmingham to Dublin by Ryanair and other options will be Birmingham to Dublin by Air Lingus or London to Dublin by BA. My biggest concern is whether airline staff in Birmingham/London airport will reject my checking in since I have two separate reservations with two airlines and don't have Irish visa. Also searched from the internet, it said that AA boarding pass has to be printed in Dublin airport due to US preclerarance control, correct? Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteWhich airline you use should not make a difference, however if you choose an airline that arrives into T2 in Dublin the transit and immigration process will be easier. As you will have checked luggage this process will be somewhat complex as you will need to exit the airside area, clearing Irish immigration and customs, before checking in again. If you are lucky the airline you fly from Bermingham to Dublin will check your luggage through to your final destination, however I doubt they will do so.
DeleteDunshen Zhu,
ReplyDeleteIrrespective of which airline you choose you are not required to hold a visa for transit through Dublin Airport, assuming that you have a valid visa for the United States for your trip.
On your comment re AA not allowing you to check in online, this is certainly possible, but I am not familiar with this restriction. I do know that US pre clearance in Ireland mandates that the check in take photos of your luggage as past of this process. This may be the rational applied by AA here.
As regards which airline to fly to Dublin with, you will have to pass immigration and re-check either way assuming that you have checked luggage. As such you will have to completely exit and proceed to T2 Check in (Far Left).
I would recommend having a copy of your onward flight ticket and a print out of the INIS link showing that you don't require a transit visa for Ireland if requested by check-in in England. There may be a few further questions, but ultimately you don't need a visa, so you are entitled to fly.
You will also have to explain to the Irish Immigration authorities what you are doing, and they may choose to escort you to the US pre clearance counters if they are not satisfied.
Don't worry - it will be fine, but leave some extra time just in case.
Hi
ReplyDeleteEcuadorians do require a visa to visit Ireland, but do not require a visa to transit within Dublin airport. Enjoy your trip.
Source:
Who Needs a Visit Visa:
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Countries%20whose%20nationals%20are%20visa%20required
Who needs a transit Visa:
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Transit%20visas
Hello Joe
ReplyDeletei have pakistani passport and schengen visa...i go from italy to germany with AerLingus my filght is connecting stay 7 hours in Dublin airport..i have allowed to go out airport and visit Dublin city center or not...if yes so which doucments i need..
Rizwan
ReplyDeletePakistani passport holders require a visa to visit Ireland, even just for a short time. If you plan to visit Dublin you will need a visa in advance from the Irish embassy.
Who Needs a Visit Visa:
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Countries%20whose%20nationals%20are%20visa%20required
Thank you so much for the clarification!
DeleteHello Joe!
ReplyDeleteI am an Indian passport holder currently living in USA on a valid J1 visa. I have a class C visa for UK and planning to visit London next month. I have booked a return flight from NYC to Dublin and a separate flight from Dublin to London. My transition time is around 4 hours. Would I have any difficulty transiting through Dublin? Do I need a transit visa?? Just to make myself clear again, I have made 2 separate bookings one from NYC to Dublin and second from Dublin to London, and I have checked in luggage too.
You will not technically need a transit visa for this journey however as you will need to leave the transit corridor and the airside part of the airport to collect your luggage and re-check, your entry for this purpose will be at the discretion of the Irish immigration authorities. You have sufficient time for this transit.
DeleteIn addition to your UK visa, be sure to check that you J1 is in good standing so you can re-enter the US after the trip.
Enjoy.
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ReplyDeleteHello, I'll be going to Glasgow, Scotland from Dublin (Aer Lingus). Will I be going through passport control since it is Common Travel Area? I guess I will be arriving at domestic terminal? Many thanks in advance! Mick
ReplyDeleteHi, I am a US redident since 2009 and I hold a Vebezuelan passport, I am traveling to Paris with Aer Lingus: San Francisco-Diblin-Paris.
ReplyDeleteCould you please let me know if I need to clear inmigracion.
Thanks,
JM
Hi, I am a US redident since 2009 and I hold a Vebezuelan passport, I am traveling to Paris with Aer Lingus: San Francisco-Diblin-Paris.
ReplyDeleteCould you please let me know if I need to clear inmigracion.
Thanks,
JM
Hi, I am a US redident since 2009 and I hold a Vebezuelan passport, I am traveling to Paris with Aer Lingus: San Francisco-Diblin-Paris.
ReplyDeleteCould you please let me know if I need to clear inmigracion.
Thanks,
JM
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI am a US Greencard holder with Indian passport. I will be traveling to Paris via Dublin. I will be changing flights in Dublin (AerLingus, same terminal) - Do I need a transit visa there? I will apply for Schengen Visa for Paris.
Please suggest.
Thanks
VV
Hi
ReplyDeleteI am Spanish citizen , I am traveling dubai to Madrid is dublin in transit for 10 hours
So do I need check immigration for enter in Irland
Thank you for this article. I am planning to go there but I don't really know what are the best spots or places at Dublin. Dublin Airport car parking
ReplyDeleteHi I went through this and is very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI am a pakistani national and having valid UK business Visa, I am travelling from Pakistan to London City airport connecting at dublin. do i need (1) transit visa (2) do i have to collect my luggage and re check or it will automaticcally be transffered (3) do i have to go through Immigration at both Dublin and London ? if Only at Dublin then will my passport be stamped and how can i proof my entry to UK in future if i need to, will my passport be stamped at London city Airport?
Regards
Your blog is very helpful. It provide to me many information which I needed.
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Hello, really liked the blog and agree with the inconvenience of this whole system. I traveled from USA to UK and Dublin was a connecting flight. Now, I don't have a visa for UK because as an American, we can stay in the UK for 6 months without one. So I went through the Irish immigration and he only approved 3 months for me to stay which was very annoying considering I wasn't even trying to stay in Ireland. I gave him all the proof (he even went through my phone) and he still said 3 months because that was the "most" he could give me (I googled how long I could stay in Ireland without a visa and the answer was 3 months). So I arrive to Manchester and I didn't go through immigration at all. Which makes sense in a way because I'm sure UK immigration assumes that because I went through Dublin immigration, my "visa" or no visa situation was taken care of. At the same time, it wasn't and I can't help but feel I was staying there illegally. Either way I feel like if i hadn't gone through Dublin and just went straight to Manchester, I would've been given the proper 6 months. I ended up calling immigration (paid over $200 because you have to pay to talk to them and I was on hold for about 2 hours) and the officer told me that I'm legally allowed to stay in the UK because the Irish immigration officer should've given me the 6 months. Also, my luggage was lost in Ireland and ugh, it was a stressful first couple weeks in a new country because they seemed to not do anything correctly. But anyway, glad to see a blog in which someone addresses this flawed system.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding of this is as follows:
Delete- The Irish officer gave you 3 months, although you only used a number of Hours.
- Your 6 months permit in the UK starts when you land in the UK (and has nothing to do with your permission to stay for 3 months in Ireland).
- Irish immigration officers are not in the business and are not empowered to permit you to stay in the UK, but rather that the UK authorities decide not to check flights arriving from Ireland is their own prerogative.
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