Embassy of Ireland — Local services in Ottawa

Worst Embassy ever! Be aware if you are planning to get a Visa from them. I applied for a tourism visa at the beginning of February 2020 because I wanted to visit a friend that I haven't seen in a long time. Their website is very disorganized. It doesn't explains properly the documents and information needed. To obtain a TOURISM visa they ask for an incredible number of documents (actually the same documents that Canada asks to apply for a permanent residency) too many for a 8 days trip. I planned to arrive in Dublin (where my friend lives) on a Friday and travel with her to France on Monday to celebrate her Birthday, and then return to Dublin for a couple of more days. On my visa application, I explained this in a very detailed letter also mentioning that I didn't apply for the Schengen visa before, because Ireland asked you to apply at least 3 months before your trip and for France visa, you just need 2 weeks, also since Ireland was my main trip and if for some reason they denied the visa, I wouldn't be traveling at all, so I wouldn't need to waste money with the other visa. I paid CAD$165 for the visa application in addition to the UPS fee to send the docs and a returning label that they also asked for. By the middle of February, a lady called me from the Ireland Embassy saying "Thank you for putting so much time on your application, it looks good. However, you need to apply for the Schenger visa before applying with us" I explain that my main trip was to Dublin and she said "Doesn't matter, you need to apply to the other one first" She sent me the documents back. By this point, I was starting to doubt about traveling to Ireland, but I love my friend, I already had the flight ticket so I continued the process. Schenger visa through the France Consulate in Toronto was a very expedited process. I got the visa in two weeks. I sent my documents back to the Ireland Embassy including paying (Again) for the UPS fee and returning label. By the middle of March due to COVID-19 Ireland Embassy called me saying that not travels allow and that I have to send them an email saying "I want to withdraw my application" to get my documents back. I was surprised because WHY do I have to "withdraw" my application if they are the ones canceling the process. Specially when they returned my documents before without any email. I asked for a refund or the hold of my CAD$165. Well, they say... they won't return or hold the money because that is an application fee and is non-refundable. "The visa fee is an administration fee which covers the cost of processing your application. This fee cannot be refunded if your application is refused or withdrawn" (Ireland Embassy, 2020). That is the reason why they wanted an email from me asking to withdrawn. To have the right of keeping my money. I understand the COVID-19 situation affected us and that obviously I can't travel anywhere. However, the way that the Embassy of Ireland acts is very shady and not proper with people that are paying to visit their country. I lost $165 + all the UPS+ Schenger visa fee ($100). They couldn't even hold the money for next time (Like the embassy of EEUU and other embassies). Please be aware that they apparently don't want you to visit their country. If you want to visit Europe I highly recommend to get the Schenger visa instead, is faster, less money, less paperwork and you can travel within more than 20 countries. Don't waste your time with...

The worst embassy to deal with. People working there are incompetent, rude, snobby, obnoxious and lazy. If you can avoid dealing with them please do so. I applied for short stay visa around 10 weeks ago. I sent my completed application with all the required documents. I planned my trip and booked accommodation as per the guidelines. No response till this days. Every single time you try to call them, they say - ohh we cannot provide status updates or help you further. I mean if you can’t help then why you’re at the embassy or why you working there. On the website processing time is mentioned 6-8 weeks and median days are 20 working day for this kind of application. The response to this was ohh no where it says guaranteed. Like are you kidding me. I have to cancel my whole trip because they cannot do their job properly or on time and loose money on accommodation and flight as well...

Someone from the embassy just called and basically harassed me! I literally admitted that I had missing information on the application and would like to withdraw. But no!! She kept on blaming me about the missing information on my visa application!! If you want to refuse my application, just do so! Don't need to harass me or accuse me of different things! I was absolutely stunned at her behaviour! Moreover, I tried to clarify with the embassy about the missing info since last week, and I got no response from my emails or phone calls. And then this person calls me today and basically blasts me!! Unbelievable!! After the call I came to see the other reviews and it seems like it's a trend in this embassy!! Way to go Ireland!! Also, please record your phone calls!!! You'll discover a lot of things if you do so!! But I doubt if you guys will listen, judging from the...