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Last Updated: December 31, 2023

Irish Student Visa

Ireland houses 9 top universities in 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 one must undertake a course that has a minimum duration of 3 months. One has to apply online for an 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.

Choosing a Course

Ireland offers a number of excellent college courses, including:

Types of Student Visas and their Validity

Who Needs to Apply for the Irish 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 Irish Student Visa

Steps to Applying for Irish Student D-type Visa

An international student does not need to apply for a study visa if they live in Switzerland or the EU/EEA and want to study in Ireland. It is for others to start the process of applying for a visa to enter Ireland. The following steps must be taken by interested candidates:

Getting Letter of Acceptance

If an international student wishes to study in Ireland, they must first decide which institution/university they want to attend. Ireland is the home of nine of the world's most prestigious universities, including Trinity College. International students can apply online to the Central Applications Office or directly to the university of their choice to be considered for a course at an Irish university.

Filling out the Application Form

After receiving an acceptance letter from an Irish university, students must visit the website of the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service. Students must provide information on this website when applying for a visa or preclearance. A red asterisk (*) designates information that students are required to provide. Unless otherwise indicated, every piece of information is required. The following information must be filled out: The applicant's response to the "Reason to Travel" question may influence other questions in the application process. Certain questions are required, and candidates may respond with a "Yes" or "No". These are: Upon finishing the application, candidates will see a Declaration that needs to be carefully read and verified. They will then review the information and press the submit button. Subsequently, candidates must print the application and sign the form's declaration.

Gathering the Required Documents

The documentation needed may differ depending on the country. It is recommended that students inquire with the Irish Embassy or Consulate in their nation or visit the website mentioned on the application regarding the precise documentation needed. The required paperwork must be in English or be accompanied by a notarized translation, and it cannot be photocopied.

Documents Required to Apply for D-type Study Visa

Submitting the Application Form and Waiting for Decision

The application will direct applicants to a website where they can review the specifics of the submission procedure, required paperwork, costs, and other information. The application must be submitted to the Irish embassy, consulate, or visa application office. To submit the application, they will need to make and keep an appointment. After that, they'll be able to see how their application is progressing. The length of time it takes to process a study permit application varies depending on the applicant's home country.

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 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 enrollment 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 Euro 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 mandatory to obtain a Personal Public Services Number(PPS) to work while studying. 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 details about the false candidate, 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.

Some Things to Remember

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