graduateshotline logo
Last Updated: October 23, 2021

Ireland Student Visa

Ireland houses 9 top universities of the world, with the prestigious Trinity College being one of them. Among the 38 members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Ireland’s education system ranks in the 4th position and 3rd in the 27 European Union countries. With the advancement of economic development and improved educational infrastructure, Ireland is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after countries for foreign nationals willing to pursue their further studies.

As a foreign student, if one is willing to study in Ireland and apply for an Irish Student Visa, then they must undertake a course that has a minimum duration of 3 months. One has to apply online for their Irish Study Visa with all the required documents. Upon submission of the visa application, one must print the summary form and submit it with other supporting documents.

Types of Student Visas and their Validity

Who Needs to Apply for the Ireland Student Visa?

Students from EU/EEA, and Switzerland do not need to apply for a study visa or the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) in Ireland. There is a list of countries that need to apply for an Ireland Visa, and a list of those nations exempt from it. Candidates from non-EU/EEA nations such as Canada, Japan, the United States of America, Vatican City, Israel, Singapore, South Africa, and so on, are exempt from applying for an Ireland Visa. They are also exempt from applying for a student visa if they wish to study in Ireland. They will only have to register for the Irish Residence Permit (IRP). To be qualified to register for an IRP, the candidate must also be above 16 years of age.

Cost of Ireland Student Visas

Steps to Applying for Ireland Student Visa

Documents Required to Apply for Ireland Student Visa

Steps to be Taken to Extend the Stay in Ireland

The D-type Study visa is valid for 90 days and upon arrival in Ireland, the student will have to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) before this period is over, to be able to stay for more than 90 days in order to complete their course. Upon approval, the student is given immigration permission to stay in Ireland for 1 year. The registration can be renewed annually for up to 7 years. The application and renewal can be done at the local Immigration Office. The student will have to show proof of their course enrolment along with the Letter of Acceptance from their university. Proof of financial funds and medical insurance will also need to be submitted. The cost of registration is €150 per registration.

Working While Studying in Ireland

Students from the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) can work in Ireland while pursuing their study programs without any restrictions. They are eligible to work on a full-time or part-time basis. However, non-EU/EEA students can work on a part-time basis for up to 20 hours per week during semesters and 40 hours per week during holidays. The holiday period is considered from December 15 to January 15 and from June 1 to September 30 per year.

It is also mandatory to be enrolled in a full-time course that is included in the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) in Ireland. These students come under the 'Stamp 2' category. Students who will pursue a course that is not on this list can study full-time, but will not be allowed to work, and they come under the 'Stamp 2A'. Students who will pursue accountancy as a training course will come under the category of 'Stamp 1A'. This permits the student to undergo paid accountancy training on a full-time basis.

Appealing Visa Refusal

In case a candidate is refused a Study Visa, a 'letter of refusal' will be sent to the candidate which will also include the reason they have been denied the visa. The reason/reasons stated in this letter will determine if the student has the right to object to the decision and send an appeal. The appeal must be submitted within 60 days/two months of receiving the refusal letter. If the student fails to submit the appeal within the stipulated period, the application will be automatically rejected, and the student will have to reapply.

The reasons for the appeal should be stated clearly. In case the authority finds any detail about the candidate that is false, the candidate will be denied the right to appeal. In this case, the candidate will also not be allowed to apply for a new visa for up to five years. Students should keep in mind that the appeal should not be sent via email and must be sent to the office address via post. In case the appeal is accepted, the student will be notified along with further instructions to secure the visa. In case the appeal is refused, the student will receive another refusal letter, and will not be able to appeal again. Under such circumstances, the candidate is allowed to reapply for a new visa.

Conditions for Non-EU Students

Benefits of Studying in Ireland

Some Things to Remember

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the Ireland Government has made new changes in Ireland Student Visa. Visas only for Emergency and Priority services are being issued for the time being. Interviews for international protection applicants and tribunal hearings at the International Protection Appeals Tribunal have been suspended until further notice. Wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing is mandatory in public places, failing to do so might attract a penalty.


Student visa

US

Canada

UK

Australia/New Zealand

Europe

Asian Countries