Travelling to Ireland with UK short-term student visa with no BIVS endorsement (Indian passport)

I am an Indian passport holder. I am currently on university exchange in the UK using my UK Type C Short-term Student Visa (i.e. NOT a Tier 4 long-term student visa). My UK visa is valid for 180 days. This visa was issued in India.

I would like to visit Dublin, ROI for a few days during my university break. While it appears that I meet the criteria for the Irish short stay visa waiver programme, my visa does not mention anything about a "BIVS endorsement".

Can I still travel to Ireland for a few days regardless, considering that I meet all other criteria?
If not, then is there a way for me to apply for a BIVS endorsement on my pre-existing UK visa without having to apply for a separate Irish visa altogether? (Assuming that would be the faster route.)
If not, then how do I apply for and be issued an Irish visa soon? The Irish visa website mentions that it may take up to 8 weeks; however, I would want to travel to Ireland in March (it is February now) and also travel to other countries in the meanwhile.

visas uk indian-citizens ireland

Best Answer

You have a Short Term Study visa, which is not eligible for the scheme.

Indian and Chinese nationals can travel to Ireland and the UK using the following UK visas:

all standard visitor categories where the maximum period for a single visit is six months

Permitted Paid Engagement visas

The Short Term Study Visa is not a category of Standard Visitor Visa.

You must apply for an Irish visa to travel to Ireland, there is no other option.

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Can I travel to Ireland with UK visa on Indian passport?

Citizens of India and China, who have a short stay UK visa can travel to Ireland under the British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) without a separate Irish visa. You can also use your Irish visa to travel to the UK.

Can I go to Dublin with UK student visa?

Only short-stay visas are eligible under the scheme. If you travel to Ireland on a long- stay student visa, you must apply for a separate British Visa if you wish to visit the UK.

Can I use my UK visa to enter Ireland?

If you are a citizen of a country whose nationals need a visa to enter Ireland and you have a valid UK visa or residence permit, you may be required to have a visa to enter Ireland before you arrive in Ireland.

Can I travel to Ireland with Indian passport?

Contents. Chinese and Indian nationals can visit the UK and Ireland using a single visa when travelling on certain short stay and visitor visas. Under the British-Irish visa scheme, some Irish short stay visas will allow onward travel to the UK and some UK visitor visas will allow onward travel to Ireland.

Ireland Visa Process, Travel To UK without visa with Ireland Valid visa, Full study visa Process.

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