Passport FAQs
What is a passport?
A passport is a travel document that serves as the ultimate form of proof for your citizenship. Every country issues passports to citizens of that country. Irish Citizen passports are issued by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Irish passports come in two sizes to accommodate frequent travellers, large and regular. large passports contain 66 pages while regular passports contain 34 pages.
Do I need a passport?
Irish citizens require passports to exit and enter Ireland and all other countries in the world. It is your responsibility to carry the correct identification while travelling abroad.
How does VisaCentral obtain a passport for me?
VisaCentral provides passport services for Irish citizens by submitting proper documentation on your behalf to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This eliminates the need for you to visit, communicate, and correspond directly with the Identity & Passport Service Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Please go to Passports to see the full range of passport services VisaCentral provides. For citizens of any other country residing in Ireland, please consult your home country's local consular office for passport details.
How long is my passport valid?
If your passport was issued when you were 16 years of age or older, your passport is valid for 10 years. If your passport was issued when you were 15 years of age or younger, your passport is valid for 5 years.
When applying for a passport renewal, will my old passport be returned to me?
Yes, your old passport will be returned unless it is deemed to be damaged by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The passport will clearly indicate that it is invalid and it is important that you advise whether any valid visas remain in the passport before applying for it to be renewed.
How long must my passport be valid for international travel?
Most countries require that a passport be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of a trip. If your passport expires sooner than that, you must apply to renew your passport. Go to Visas to determine how long a passport must be valid for each specific country of travel. In the event that your passport is set to expire go to Renew Passport and get started.
Can VisaCentral obtain additional passport pages for my passport?
No. You must apply for another passport. Go to Renew Passport for details.
How many blank passport pages do I need to meet entrance requirements and what is considered a 'blank' passport page?
Passports must have enough blank pages to accommodate entry and exit immigration stamps for each country of travel. At least one visa page in your passport is required for each visa. Most travel visas that are stamped into your passport require an entire blank visa page. A 'blank' visa page must be clean, clear, and not show ink or stains from any other pages in the passport.
Can VisaCentral replace my lost or stolen passport?
With correct documentation, VisaCentral can replace your lost or stolen passport within 6 - 8 weeks. Visit Lost or Stolen Passports for details.
Do my children require passports?
Yes. Each individual citizen, including infants, must possess his or her own passport. You are not allowed to represent other members of the family inside your passport. VisaCentral can assist you if you need to get a new child passport or if you need to renew a child’s passport. Visit Child Passport to learn about passport requirements for children.
How old must my children be to apply for a Child Passport?
Your children must be 15 years old or younger to apply for a Child Passport. Visit Child Passport to learn about passport requirements for children under the age of 15.
How long will it take VisaCentral to process my passport?
VisaCentral has a passport processing time of 6 - 8 weeks. Visit Passports to determine the passport processing time for the type of passport you are looking for.
What mailing method does VisaCentral recommend for submitting my completed VisaCentral Application Pack?
VisaCentral recommends using Express Post or other traceable methods of delivery when submitting your completed VisaCentral Application Pack.
