Visa's for UK & Ireland for DRC passport holders

{quote:title=miss_l_32 wrote:}{quote}
> He thinks he can travel from S Africa to Dublin, and then will easily be able to travel to UK from Dublin without a new visa. Is this true???

In his dreams. There are passport controls between Ireland and the UK these days.

And - assuming you aren't British - you are in danger of being deported yourself for assisting him

I am British.

If your friend hasn't got the money to travel to get a new passport from the DRC prior to a journey into the UK he may struggle to satisfy many officials that he has the means to support himself on his travels within Eire and the UK.

Not possible. Legally.

"A United Kingdom visa or work permit will not allow a traveller entry to Ireland, nor vice-versa."

Your friend may be thinking/referring to the CTA (Common Travel Area) which allows Irish and British citizens to move freely between the two countries with minimal documentation. This does not mean he can legally enter the UK on an Irish tourist/visitors visa and if caught he will most certainly be deported. The Irish visa issued in no way allows travel to the UK, Schengen (which the UK and Ireland and not part of) or other EU countries.

He shouldn't have to go back to the Congo to renew a passport as Consualtes and Embassies in foreign countries can do that. I have lived in Australia and renewed my UK passport there and have renewed my Australian passport in London... no problems.

Tell him to get a new passport (although I can't see why the style of an old one should prevent him getting a visa anyway) and a Visa. His right to enter the country will be checked at immigration.

I agree with the above. If he can't get his passport renewed at the Congolese embassy in South Africa, what is he going to do when it expires?

Alternatively, if he can get an Irish visa, can't you travel to Dublin and meet him?

Some complicated way to do things.....I certainly see missing info here!

The Irish immigration cops aren't stupid you know, they'll want to know why he wants to come to Ireland. Without any family links or hotel bookings to show, he'd be chancing his arm.

unfortunately, the colour of his skin will make him an easy target for irish immigration officers. If he is legally able to travel in Ireland, then it's no problem. There are now frequent immigration checks at the ferry ports between Ireland and UK mainland. If i were him, and had to go to the UK, and couldn't get the requied visa (but could for Ireland), I would travel to the Republic of Ireland and cross the border between the Republic and Northern Ireland and get a ferry to Scotland and travel from there to wherever you are. It's a risk though, and a pretty foolhardy one.