One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is about the documentation required to enter Ireland as a Latin American tourist.
For those who travel from a country outside the European Union, it is important to know the entry requirements. Although many European countries share similar immigration rules, Ireland is not part of the Schengen area, so its rules are different from those of countries like Spain, Italy or Germany.
👉 This article is specially designed for Latin Americans and other people who do not have a European passport, and is based on updated official sources (irishimmigration.ie) and in my own personal experience entering as a tourist.
What documentation may be requested upon arrival in Ireland?
🛂 1. Valid passport
To enter Ireland you need a passport valid for at least 6 months.
You can't enter with just your ID, even if you're coming from another European Union country.
🌍 2. Do I need a visa?
If you have a passport from Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico or most Latin American countries, You do not need a visa to enter as a tourist (up to 90 days).
However, entry is not automatic: immigration officers may ask you questions and request additional documentation to confirm that you are a genuine tourist.
💵 3. Economic funds
You may be asked to provide proof that you have sufficient funds for your stay. There is no official amount, but as a minimum reference it is suggested:
- $100 per day
You can submit bank statements, home banking screenshots (make sure you have the app with home banking access in case you need to prove the funds in your account), and international cards.
🛏️ 4. Booked accommodation
In migrations They usually ask for a hotel or accommodation reservation.
If you are staying at a friend or relative's house, it is advisable to have a printed one. informal invitation letter with the following data:
- Relationship between you (e.g., “friend for 3 years”)
- Complete address of the home where you will be staying
- Estimated dates of your stay
- Current occupation of your host
- Contact phone number and email address
📝 There is no mandatory format. A simple printed email with this information is sufficient.
💡 Real personal experience:
The first time I visited Ireland as a tourist, the immigration officer wasn't satisfied with my explanations and wanted to check my accommodation. He asked for my friend's phone number and, after several failed attempts, managed to reach him on the sixth call. It was a rather tense 20-minute wait… but thanks to that, they let me in. So, it's best to be prepared!
🩺 6. Health insurance
Health insurance shows that in case of an accident you will not represent a burden on the health system. It is recommended to carry a printed copy of the insurance in English and clearly indicates the dates of coverage.
You can consult the official source directly here:
👉 We will publish an article later comparing recommended travel insurance for Ireland.
- Answer confidently if they ask you the reason for the trip.
- Don't lie or improviseIf they detect contradictions, they may deny you entry.
- Keep important documents handy on your phone and in print.
- Arrive at the airport early and relaxed: if you follow the basics, admission is usually quick.
🗺️7. Do I need a travel itinerary?
Have a basic itinerary of your trip is something that can help you a lot if the immigration officer has questions about your visit.
You don't need an official or super detailed document, but it is recommended to bring a printed sheet or on your cell phone with the following:
- 📍 The cities or towns that you plan to visit.
- 📅 Approximate dates for each section.
- 🏨 Where you're staying (hotel name, address, or neighborhood if it's a friend's house).
- 🚌 Any intermediate transfer if you have already booked it (e.g., bus to Galway or tour to the Cliffs of Moher).
- 🎯 Some activities you plan to do (e.g. visiting Trinity College, taking the free tour in Dublin, going to a traditional pub, etc.).
💡 Why might they ask you for it? Because it shows that you're a genuine tourist, that you've organized your trip, that you know where you're going, and that you're not just coming "to see what happens." It's just another way to ensure they trust your story if they have any doubts.
🔎 It is not mandatory, but it is part of the documents useful mentioned by the official Irish immigration site.
✅ Summary of requirements and documentation for entering Ireland
These are the key documents that you should have on hand Upon arrival at the airport in Ireland if you are not a citizen of the European Union:
- 🛂 Valid passport.
- 🎫 Return ticket or continuation of trip.
- 🏨 Book accommodation or, if you are staying with someone, an invitation letter (explained above).
- 💰 Proof of sufficient funds: suggested minimum €100 per day.
- 📋 Travel itinerary (activities or places you plan to visit).
- 🛡️ Travel medical insurance that covers the entire duration of your stay. (May be required. It is suggested to purchase a basic one from your home country as a precaution.)
- 📄 Other useful documents: pay stub from your home country (showing that you are currently working in your home country). This is not always required, but it can also help prove that you are a genuine tourist.
