Can you enter the Republic of Ireland using a UK Visa?

Answer 1

Whether you need a visa to enter Ireland depends on what country you're from.

There is a Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme in place for nationals of a number of Countries including Belarus, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. If you have entered the UK on foot of a UK "C" General visa and have been granted leave to remain in the UK for 180 days, you may travel to Ireland within the time remaining on the UK visa, up to a maximum of 90 days (whichever is the shorter), without the need to apply for an Irish visa.

You may not need a visa to visit Ireland for less than 90 days if:

• You hold a UK short stay visa (as described below)
• You are a national of a country listed below
• Your visit to Ireland ends before your UK 'leave to remain' ends

The categories of visas covered are short stay visit visas granted to persons seeking to leave to enter or remain in the UK except those seeking to enter as (i) a Visitor in Transit or (ii) a Visitor seeking to enter for the purpose of marriage or to enter a civil partnership.

Long-term visitors to the UK, for example long-term student visas, persons seeking to join spouse or family reunification, are not encompassed. If you do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Programme, you must have a valid Irish visa to travel to Ireland.

Belarus

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Montenegro

Russian Federation

Serbia

Turkey

Ukraine

Bahrain

Kuwait2

Oman2

Qatar2

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates2

India

Kazakhstan

Peoples Republic of China1

Thailand

Uzbekistan

Answer 2

Yes you can. Once you are in the UK, there is no restriction on travelling to Ireland apart from normal airline security checks.