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.
👉 Este artículo está pensado especialmente para 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. Pasaporte válido
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. ¿Necesito 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. Fondos económicos
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. Alojamiento reservado
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
📝 No existe un formato obligatorio. Un simple email impreso con estos datos es suficiente.
💡 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. Seguro médico
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:
👉 Más adelante vamos a publicar un artículo comparando seguros recomendados para viajar a Irlanda.
- 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. ¿Necesito un itinerario de viaje?
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:
- 📍 Las cities or towns that you plan to visit.
- 📅 Fechas aproximadas de cada tramo.
- 🏨 Dónde te vas a alojar (nombre del hotel, dirección o el barrio si es casa de un amigo).
- 🚌 Algún traslado intermedio si ya lo tenés reservado (ej: bus a Galway o tour a los Acantilados de Moher).
- 🎯 Algunas actividades que planeás hacer (ej: visitar Trinity College, hacer el free tour en Dublín, ir a un pub tradicional, 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.
🔎 No es obligatorio, pero es parte de los documentos useful mentioned by the official Irish immigration site.
✅ Resumen de requisitos y documentación para ingresar a Irlanda
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:
- 🛂 Pasaporte vigente.
- 🎫 Pasaje de regreso o continuación de viaje.
- 🏨 Reserva de alojamiento o, si te hospedás con alguien, an invitation letter (explained above).
- 💰 Demostración de fondos suficientes: suggested minimum €100 per day.
- 📋 Itinerario de viaje (actividades o lugares que planeás visitar).
- 🛡️ 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.)
- 📄 Otros documentos útiles: recibo de sueldo en tu pais de origen (demuestra que estas trabajando en tu país de origen al dia de la fecha) , no siempre se solicita, pero puede ayudarte a demostrar que sos un turista genuino también.
