Ireland Student Visa - Eligibility, Requirements, and Application

Do you wish to obtain an Ireland student visa? Have you known what it takes to study abroad in Ireland and acquire the best education? What will it take to become an international student in an Irish institution?

Of late, Ireland has become one of the studies abroad destinations for international students from all parts of the world. Therefore, it would be best to have an Ireland student visa to acquire an education in this country. The visa will allow you to attain a full-time educational program for more than 90 days.

If you want to learn more about the Ireland student visa, eligibility, requirements, and application, this article is for you. Follow us on this journey as we break down the process for you.

What is an Ireland Student Visa?

The number of international students in Ireland has risen over a decade ago. However, anyone that wants to come to this country to study must have an Ireland student visa. A long-stay visa lets the holder move to the country to pursue a higher education program for not less than three months.

However, students from the EU/EEA or Switzerland do not need any visa to enter Ireland for their studies. But they may have to enroll with Irish Immigration upon their arrival.

Suppose your country’s nationals need a visa to study in Ireland. In that case, it is more probable that you must get a Type D study visa. The visa fee for a single entry is €60, while that for multiple entries is €100. You can check if you need a visa based on your country.

It is essential to apply for your Ireland study visa at least three months before your proposed date to move to the country. However, you should only buy a ticket if you are sure of the result of the visa application.

What is the process of acquiring an Ireland Student Visa?

To get a Type D visa, you must follow the steps below:

Receive an offer to study in an Irish institution: You must accept an offer to learn at a university in Ireland before you can apply for your study visa.
Apply for your visa online: You can apply for the Ireland student visa online. After that, you will receive a rundown of the application form, which you must print.
Obtain your summary form: This is a summary of the online application you must complete and sign. The information regarding where to submit your supporting documents is also there.
Submit the supporting documents: You will be directed to the place to submit the supporting documents. The location depends on your home country, mainly the Irish embassy or consulate where you applied for the visa.
Provide your biometrics: You will go to your home country’s Irish embassy or visa application center to give your biometrics.
Accept a decision: It may take up to eight weeks for the embassy to decide on your application.
Travel to Ireland: If the decision on your application is favorable, you should put your things together and travel to Ireland.
Apply for an Irish Resident Permit: Within 90 days of your arrival in Ireland, you must go to a registration center for your IRP. It must be before your landing camp date. The cost of an IRP is €300.

Can you bring your Family to Ireland on your Study Visa?

Technically, you cannot bring your dependent on an Ireland student visa. In addition, your spouse or children cannot only apply on a separate visa, which is different from yours.

What are the Ireland Student Visa Requirements?

You must provide certain documents to support your visa application to obtain a Type D visa. These may be only some of what you need to deliver because of certain conditions, but they are the basics. They include:

Passport, applicable for one month after your entrance into Ireland
Two recent passport photos
Copies of the previous passport
Employment details
Proof of financial means to support yourself in Ireland (you must have a minimum of €7000 for one year, except if you have a sponsor in Ireland)
Visa documents
Educational record (transcript, certificates, and other proof that you are eligible to study in Ireland)
Letter of acceptance into your Irish institution
Proof of paid school fees for your study program
English language test results (such as IELTS)
Biometrics
Letter of application written by yourself
Health insurance (your university may provide it)

Note that if any of these documents are not in English, you can translate them into English by a certified translator.

What can you write in your Letter of Application?

Your letter of application must furnish the reasons you want to study in the country and the program you are pursuing. Furthermore, you must provide the information if you have family in Ireland or Europe. In addition, you must explain that you are to stay in Ireland for your visa duration.

How long does it take to process an Ireland Student Visa?

Your nationality may affect the time it takes to process the visa. It typically takes four to eight weeks before it can be ready.

If you want it to be ready at the right time, ensure to fill out the form accurately, or you will resubmit your documents. It is worth starting your visa application on time. Besides, you can only begin the application three months before your proposed travel to Ireland.

Can you work with an Ireland Student Visa?

Your student visa lets you work part-time during the school period for up to 20 hours per week. On the contrary, you can work full-time during the holiday. Moreover, you cannot work as a taxi driver or become self-employed as an international student in Ireland.

What if you are refused your Study Visa to Ireland?

You will receive a refusal letter if you are denied your Type D study visa. The letter will state the reason for the rejection and whether or not you can appeal the judgment.

If you can appeal the decision, it must be within two months of receiving the rejection. Remember to list why you believe your application should receive a chance. If you have any backup for your reasons, you must equally supply it.

On the other hand, it is more reliable to apply for and pay for a new visa. Furthermore, you can make amendments regarding any error in your previous application.

What is Border Control?

Once you obtain your Ireland study visa, you can move to the country. It would be best if you underwent Border Control at the airport, where you meet the Immigration Officers who decide on your eligibility to enter Ireland. You must prove to them that you are qualified to enter the country. They will check your documents for proof. If they are satisfied, they can allow you entrance into the country. But before then, they would stamp your passport, which states the number of days you can stay in the country.

When you enter, you should register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). The bureau will issue a residence permit to enable you to stay long in the country. You will also obtain an Ireland Stamp 2 or 2A, which confers the status of an Ireland international student.

How long can your Ireland Student Visa last?

The length of time for your resident permit is expressed on the card. You can renew it once or twice a year for up to seven or eight years.

Can you convert your study Visa in Ireland to a Permanent Residency?

You can apply for the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme upon graduation from your Irish institution. It lets you live in the country for an extra year. Thus, you can get a suitable job or apply for your work permit. If successful, you may work for five years and apply for your permanent residency. After that, you can enjoy the status of a citizen of Ireland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it hard to get an Ireland student visa?

It is easier than you may think. However, the Ireland student visa requires a long process. You can start your visa application process as soon as you receive acceptance into your dream school.

How many funds are required for an Ireland student visa?

Getting an Ireland student visa proves you have enough money to sustain your stay in a foreign land without running to the public for help or relying on a casual job. The least amount that must be in your account is 7000 EURO. It is the assumed yearly cost of living in Ireland as a student.

Can I get PR in Ireland after studying?

How long can you stay in Ireland on a student visa?

You can stay in Ireland for at least three months with your study visa. Your study program will determine how long you can stay after three months.

Why does the Ireland visa reject?

An Ireland study visa may get rejected because of insufficient funds to fall back to during your studies. So, you must prove that you have enough funds with a backup document. Another problem is if you have a missing support document during your student visa application.

Conclusion

You can study in Ireland on a student visa. But you must tender all supporting documents to prove that you are eligible to enter the country and study for a period longer than three months.

You may also find the following information resourceful:

Ireland Student Visa – Eligibility, Requirements, and Application