Schengen Visa Support
Schengen Business Visa from Ireland 2026
For conferences, meetings, and business trips to Europe
Need to attend a conference in Berlin? Meet clients in Paris? As a non-EU professional working in Ireland, you'll need a Schengen business visa. This guide covers everything you need to know.
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What Is a Schengen Business Visa For?
A Schengen business visa allows you to travel to Europe for:
- ✅ Conferences and seminars - Tech conferences, industry events
- ✅ Business meetings - Meeting clients, partners, or headquarters
- ✅ Training programs - Company training at European offices
- ✅ Trade fairs and exhibitions - Attending or representing your company
- ✅ Contract negotiations - Business discussions and signing
- ✅ Site visits - Visiting company facilities
Required Documents
Standard Documents
- ✅ Valid passport (3+ months validity after return)
- ✅ Completed application form
- ✅ 2 passport photos (35x45mm)
- ✅ Travel insurance (€30,000 minimum)
- ✅ Flight reservation
- ✅ Hotel booking
🇮🇪 Ireland Residence Documents
- ✅ Irish Residence Permit (IRP Card) - front and back copy
- ✅ Employment Permit (Critical Skills, General, etc.)
- ✅ Proof of address in Ireland
💼 Business-Specific Documents
- ✅ Business invitation letter from the European company/event
- ✅ Employer letter from your Irish company
- ✅ Conference registration (if attending a conference)
- ✅ Company bank statements (if company is sponsoring)
- ✅ Business card (optional but helpful)
Business Invitation Letter
The invitation letter is crucial for a business visa. It must come from the company/organization you're visiting in Europe.
What the Invitation Letter Must Include:
- Printed on company letterhead
- Full name and passport details of the applicant
- Purpose of the visit (specific - "attending product training" not just "business")
- Dates of the visit
- Who is covering expenses (travel, accommodation, etc.)
- Address of the company in Europe
- Contact details of the inviting person
- Signature of an authorized person
- "Attending AWS re:Invent partner training on March 15-17, 2026"
- "Meeting with our Paris team to discuss Q2 product roadmap"
- "Participating in the Mobile World Congress, Barcelona"
Employer Letter from Your Irish Company
Your Irish employer must provide a letter confirming your business travel.
The Letter Must Include:
- Company letterhead (Irish company)
- Your name, job title, and start date
- Your salary (monthly/annual)
- Confirmation of leave approval for the travel dates
- Purpose of the business trip
- Confirmation that the company will cover expenses (if applicable)
- Statement that you will return to your position after the trip
- HR or manager signature and contact details
Sample Employer Letter Text
To Whom It May Concern, This is to confirm that [Your Name], passport number [XXXXXX], is employed at [Company Name] as a [Job Title] since [Start Date]. Their current annual salary is €[XX,XXX]. We confirm that [Your Name] has been granted leave from [Date] to [Date] to attend [purpose - e.g., "the Tech Summit 2026 in Berlin, Germany"]. The company will cover all travel and accommodation expenses for this business trip. We confirm that [Your Name] will return to their position at [Company Name] upon completion of the trip. For any queries, please contact: [HR Name] [Phone/Email] Yours faithfully, [Signature] [Name, Title]
Application Process
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Get your invitation letter
Request the business invitation from the European company/conference organizer first. You need this before applying.
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Get employer letter
Ask your Irish HR department for the business travel letter. Give them at least a week.
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Book VFS appointment
Apply to the country where the business activity takes place. Book at VFS Global.
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Prepare all documents
Use our checklist above. Double-check dates match across all documents.
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Attend appointment in Dublin
VFS Global, Northwood Court, Santry, Dublin 9. Submit documents and biometrics.
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Pay fees
€90 visa fee + VFS service fee. Your company may reimburse this.
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Wait for processing
Usually 10-15 working days. Track via VFS website.
For Tech Workers in Dublin
Many tech professionals in Dublin (Google, Meta, Microsoft, Stripe, etc.) need business visas for:
- 🏢 Visiting European headquarters (Amsterdam, London, Berlin)
- 📊 Quarterly business reviews with EMEA teams
- 🎓 Training programs at other offices
- 🎤 Attending tech conferences (Web Summit, MWC, etc.)
💡 Tips for Tech Workers
- Your Critical Skills Employment Permit is strong proof of ties to Ireland
- Large tech companies often have templates for invitation letters - ask your manager
- If traveling frequently, consider applying for a multiple-entry visa
- Keep all approval emails from your manager as backup documentation
Popular Conferences
| Mobile World Congress | Barcelona, Spain | Spanish Embassy |
| DMEXCO | Cologne, Germany | German Embassy |
| VivaTech | Paris, France | French Embassy |
| Slush | Helsinki, Finland | Finnish Embassy |