The United Kingdom is one of the most popular vacation destinations, and for many the visit starts with passport inspection at one of London's airports. The traveler can then tour the entire UK with no further passport inspection. Tourists can journey from Lands End, the western point of England, to the Shetland Islands off the north coast of Scotland. A short ferry ride from western Scotland takes the traveler to Northern Ireland. Or the traveler can explore the beautiful Welsh countryside. However, travelers who cross the Irish Sea to Dublin (either by ferry boat or air) will find themselves in a sovereign country, and entry documents will be required.
The Schengen Agreement eliminated border controls between 24 European Union members, but not the UK or the Republic of Ireland. However, citizens from the European Union countries and Switzerland can use a valid National Identity Card in lieu of a passport to enter and exit Ireland. British citizens traveling from the UK to Ireland require only proof of nationality. Citizens from the United States and Canada require a valid passport, and citizens from other countries need a valid passport and may require a valid visa as well. Travelers should check with their embassies to determine visa requirements.
Many UK cities offer flights to Dublin, and documentation will be checked prior to boarding a flight. Documentation checks are not as stringent prior to boarding the ferry boats that run from the UK to Dublin and Dun Laoghaire, a suburb of Dublin. Non-EU travelers who leave their passports for safekeeping with friends or relatives in the UK and travel by ferry to Ireland may be disagreeably surprised when refused entry and may have trouble returning to the UK. Travelers finding themselves in that situation must contact their consulates or embassies for assistance.
Ireland requires visitors (except those from European Union countries) to possess travel tickets out of the country and sufficient funds for their stay while in the country. Passports must be valid for the entire time of the visit and visits are generally limited to a maximum of three months.
Lost or stolen passports must be reported immediately to the nearest embassy or consulate of the passport holder's country. Travelers should have a photocopy of the photo and information page of their passport, and carry the copy separate from the passport book. A photocopy will assist the consulate or embassy staff to identify the traveler and obtain a replacement passport.
