Best Business Visa Lawyers in Carrigaline

About Business Visa Law in Carrigaline, Ireland

Business immigration in Ireland is set by national law and administered centrally, so the rules that apply in Carrigaline are the same as those that apply elsewhere in the State. If you plan to visit Carrigaline for short business activities such as meetings, negotiating contracts, site visits, or attending conferences, you may need a Short Stay C Business Visa. This permission is typically for stays of up to 90 days in any 180 day period and does not allow you to take up employment or receive payment from an Irish source for work done in Ireland.

If you intend to work in Ireland or stay longer than 90 days, you will generally need two things before travel if you are a visa required national. First, an Employment Permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Second, after the permit is granted, a Long Stay D Visa to enter Ireland for employment. On arrival, you must register your residence and will typically receive Stamp 1 permission linked to your employment permit. Entrepreneurs and founders may be eligible for the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme, which can lead to residence permission. The legacy Business Permission scheme is closed, and the Immigrant Investor Programme is closed to new applicants.

Carrigaline is in County Cork. For immigration registration after arrival on a long stay permission, residents of Carrigaline normally attend the An Garda Siochana immigration registration office serving County Cork. Short stay business visitors do not register because they do not obtain residence permission.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may benefit from legal advice if you are unsure whether your planned activities count as business visiting or as work that requires an employment permit. A lawyer can help you structure itineraries so that activities remain compliant, and can advise on when to apply for a work permission instead. Legal help is often valuable when a company in Ireland wishes to host multiple visitors at once, when a visitor needs a multiple entry visa due to frequent travel, or when an applicant has prior refusals, immigration history issues, or complex travel histories.

For long stay plans, a lawyer can advise on the correct employment permit type, eligibility for Critical Skills or Intra Company Transfer routes, minimum salary thresholds, labor market testing, and the transition from visa to residence. Founders considering the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme often need assistance preparing business plans and meeting investment and innovation criteria. If a visa is refused, a lawyer can guide you through the review or reapplication process with targeted evidence to address the specific refusal reasons.

Local Laws Overview

Core legislation includes the Immigration Act 2004 and related statutory instruments, and the Employment Permits Acts. Immigration Service Delivery issues policy guidelines on short stay and long stay visas. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment administers employment permits such as General Employment Permits, Critical Skills Employment Permits, Intra Company Transfer Employment Permits, and others. Short Stay C Business Visas are for up to 90 days. They allow business visits but do not confer a right to work in Ireland, do not allow access to public funds, and usually do not allow extensions other than in very limited circumstances.

Having a visa does not guarantee entry. At the border, an immigration officer may examine your documents and ask about your purpose of visit and finances. You should carry your invitation letter, proof of accommodation, return ticket, and evidence of funds. For long stay permissions, visa required nationals must obtain a D visa before travel, then register in Ireland to receive an Irish Residence Permit. Registration for Carrigaline residents is handled through the Cork area immigration office of An Garda Siochana by appointment.

Nationals of EU and EEA states and Switzerland do not need an Irish visa. British citizens benefit from the Common Travel Area. For certain Indian and Chinese nationals, the British Irish Visa Scheme may allow travel to Ireland on a UK short stay visa or vice versa, provided specific conditions are met. Tax, corporate, and employment compliance may also arise if you carry out revenue generating activities in Ireland, so businesses should take tax advice in parallel with immigration planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa for a short business trip to Carrigaline

Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Many nationals are visa required for Ireland and must obtain a Short Stay C Business Visa before travel. EU and EEA nationals and Swiss citizens do not need visas. Some Indian and Chinese nationals may be able to use the British Irish Visa Scheme for short business visits if they hold an eligible UK visa endorsed for the scheme. Always verify your nationality specific rules before booking travel.

What activities are allowed on a C business visa

Permitted activities include attending meetings, conferences, trade fairs, site visits, training that does not involve productive work, signing contracts, and negotiating deals. You cannot take up employment, provide services to the public, or be on the Irish payroll for work carried out in Ireland. If you will actively perform work for an Irish entity, you likely need an employment permit and a D visa.

Is paid work allowed on a business visa

No. A C business visa does not allow paid work in Ireland. Receiving a salary from an Irish source for activities in Ireland, or performing productive work for an Irish client or employer, requires the correct employment permit and a D visa followed by registration after arrival.

How long can I stay and can I get multiple entry

Short Stay C visas allow a maximum of 90 days within any 180 day period. First time applicants are usually granted a single entry visa. Multiple entry visas are possible if you can show a genuine need, such as frequent travel for ongoing business. The decision is discretionary and based on your travel history and supporting evidence.

What documents should I prepare for a business visa

Core documents typically include a valid passport, completed application form, application summary sheet, recent photos, a detailed cover letter explaining your business purpose and itinerary, an invitation letter from the Irish host company, proof of accommodation and return travel, evidence of sufficient funds and ties to your home country, and travel medical insurance. Documents must be consistent and verifiable. Originals and certified translations may be required in some cases.

How long does processing take and when should I apply

Processing times vary with season and location. Short stay business visas commonly take several weeks, and long stay work routes depend on the time required to secure the employment permit first. Apply as early as possible and do not make irreversible travel plans until you receive a decision. Some applicants must provide biometrics at a visa application center as part of processing.

What is the difference between a visa and an employment permit

A visa is an entry clearance placed in your passport that allows you to present yourself at the Irish border for a stated purpose. An employment permit is a separate authorization that allows a non EEA national to work in a specific job for a named employer in Ireland. Visa required nationals typically need both an employment permit and a D visa for long stay work, followed by residence registration in Ireland.

I plan to found or invest in a business near Carrigaline. What are my options

Founders of innovative start ups may be eligible for the Start up Entrepreneur Programme, which has defined investment and innovation criteria and can lead to residence permission. The legacy Business Permission route is closed, and the Immigrant Investor Programme is closed to new applicants. Other routes, such as employment permits for directors or key staff, may be appropriate depending on your role and the corporate structure. Legal advice can help map the best option.

Where do I register if I will work in Carrigaline

After arriving on a D visa and beginning work under your employment permit, you must register your residence permission in person. For Carrigaline residents, registration is handled by the An Garda Siochana immigration office serving County Cork, by appointment. You will receive an Irish Residence Permit card showing your stamp type, usually Stamp 1 for employment permit holders.

What if my application is refused

The refusal letter will set out reasons and explain whether you can seek a review and the timeframe, which is usually within 2 months. You can submit additional or clarifying evidence addressing the refusal grounds. If a review is not available or is unsuccessful, you may reapply with a stronger file. A lawyer can help analyze the refusal and prepare focused representations.

Additional Resources

Immigration Service Delivery, Department of Justice. The central authority for Irish visas, residence permissions, and policy guidance.

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Employment Permits Section. The body that processes employment permits such as General, Critical Skills, and Intra Company Transfer permits.

An Garda Siochana Immigration Registration, Cork. The local registration office for residence permissions for people living in Carrigaline and the wider Cork area.

Enterprise Ireland. Guidance and supports for innovative companies and information on the Start up Entrepreneur Programme.

Local Enterprise Office South Cork. Advisory supports for small businesses operating in the region that can complement immigration planning for entrepreneurs.

Embassy or Consulate of Ireland in your country of residence. Submission and collection point for visa applications in many jurisdictions and a source of country specific instructions.

Office of the Revenue Commissioners. Information on tax registration and compliance that may be relevant if you establish a presence or hire staff in Ireland.

Next Steps

Clarify your purpose of travel and duration. If your activities are limited to short business meetings or negotiations for up to 90 days, you will likely need a Short Stay C Business Visa if you are visa required. If you will work, plan for the correct employment permit first, then a Long Stay D Visa and registration after arrival.

Gather core documents early. Secure an invitation letter from the Irish host, prepare a detailed cover letter and itinerary, line up bank statements and proof of accommodation, and confirm that your passport has the required validity. If you expect repeat trips, prepare evidence to justify a multiple entry request.

Check current processing steps for your location, including biometrics or appointment requirements. Apply well in advance, track your application, and avoid non refundable travel commitments until a decision is issued.

If your case is complex or time sensitive, consult an Irish immigration lawyer. A lawyer can assess whether your activities fit a business visit, select the correct permit route if work is involved, prepare robust documentation, anticipate border control questions, and handle refusals or reviews if they arise.

For long stay workers moving to Carrigaline, plan for post arrival steps. Book a registration appointment in Cork, prepare documents for Stamp 1 registration, and coordinate onboarding with your employer. Consider tax and social insurance registrations in parallel with immigration compliance.

This guide provides general information only. Immigration rules can change, and individual circumstances matter. If in doubt, seek tailored legal advice before you apply or travel.