3

I am an Indian Citizen with valid US Visa traveling from Charlotte USA to India via Dublin, Ireland and Abu Dhabi.

Charlotte to Dublin - American Airlines (Landing in Terminal 1) Dublin to AbuDhabi - Etihad (Depart from Terminal 2)

And I see from the Irish immigration website that Indian nationals do not require transit visa but read somewhere that the transit visa is required in case of terminal change irrespective of the country of citizenship.

It would be greatly helpful if someone could confirm whether I will need a transit visa or not.

May 15 2018 UPDATE: I called Abtran who are the document processing center for Ireland visas and who also hold a paid customer service (charging at $2.90 per min) and here is the answer that I got - As an Indian citizen transit visa is waived for me if I am not moving between terminals. But the Dublin airport is designed in a peculiar way that anyone who is moving between T1 and T2 will need to go through land (As per Abtran there is no air-side transit) and so people need to take the short stay (like tourist) visa as transit visa will not be sufficient for this scenario. We re-booked the flight through another country so we don't want to go through any more pain in the ***.

Improve this question
8
  • Welcome to Travel! If the Irish immigration website says Indian nationals don't need a transit visa, why would you credit a different opinion from another, non-official and unidentified source?
    – DavidSupportsMonica
    May 13, 2018 at 16:31
  • @Vishnu I’m not familiar with Dublin airport but this guide seems to indicate that it’s not possible to transit airside between terminals. dublinairportt2.com/transferring-between-t1-and-t2 In which case you’d have to pass through immigration and would need a transit visa. inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/check-irish-visa
    – Traveller
    May 13, 2018 at 17:47
  • @Traveler, thanks for the additional information. Vishnu, I'm sorry for the snark in my first comment. Irish immigration (the site cited by Traveler) says you don't need a visa if you're transferring to an onward flight at the same Irish airport, but the Dublin Airport info does suggest (without saying so) that you must pass through Immigration and Customs to get from T1 to T2. However, other online info like flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/… states there is, indeed, an airside walkway between T1 and T2.
    – DavidSupportsMonica
    May 13, 2018 at 19:46
  • from the link @David provided, the Aer Lingus website states clearly that the 2 terminals are connected airside to airside. aerlingus.com/travel-information/airport-information/…
    – Traveller
    May 13, 2018 at 20:35
  • Very good, @Traveller. Make it an answer!
    – DavidSupportsMonica
    May 14, 2018 at 2:56

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

I was in the same situation: coming in from Abu Dhabi in Terminal 1 and departing to the US from Terminal 2. Both Etihad and the Irish Consulate in San Francisco said that I will need a visitor visa. So I applied and got one (that took about two weeks at Irish Consulate in San Francisco).

However, when I actually reached Ireland, the immigration officer in Terminal 1 said that it was not necessary. That being said, I am not sure whether the airline will allow you to board without the Irish visitor visa.

Regarding going from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2: when you get out of the plane/gate, you will have to go towards Immigration. There are separate lines for EU and non-EU passport holders. Then beyond baggage claim, there is a shortcut to Terminal 2. The officer there led me directly to the security check at Terminal 2, allowing me to completely bypass the long line at Terminal 2 security. Also, FWIW, there is US CBP Preclearance at Terminal 2 which saves you time after landing in the US.

Improve this answer
1

You do not need a visa to transit airside http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/check-irish-visa Information online about connections between the two terminals at Dublin airport is a little confusing, however the Aer Lingus website clearly states that Terminals 1 and 2 are connected both airside and landside https://www.aerlingus.com/travel-information/airport-information/dublin-airport-terminal-2/#/tab-0-map,con

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.