Ireland is one of the most attractive study destinations that international students often pick. To study there, a study visa will be acquired.
The Study Visa allows international students to legally enter the country. It is part of the prerequisites as there are other further steps to take.
Most importantly, what are the steps to obtaining one?
We will be highlighting everything you need to know and the type of visa you can be issued depending on the program and the duration.
Types of Student Visas in Ireland
There are two categories of study visas usually issued by the Ireland Government to foreign students. The one you will be given will largely depend on the duration of the course you want to undergo. They are:
C-Type Student Visa
Foreign students who will be taking a short course that lasts for 90 days or less and not from a country that needs a visa will need to apply for a ‘C’ visit visa.
They will need to apply for a short-stay visa from the country where they usually live, not from any other country.
However, if you are a Swiss national or from any EU/EEA country, you won’t be needing a visa to enter Ireland or any other EU/EEA member state.
D-type Student Visa
For a course of study for more than 3 months, the applicant will be provided a long-term study visa otherwise known as D-type Student Visa.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens also do not need to apply for a D-type student visa to study in Ireland.
Documents needed for the Ireland student visa
Below are the requirements needed to obtain the Irish student visa:
- Application form and application letter.
- Letter of Acceptance from the College or University.
- Two color passport-size photographs.
- Documentation indicating your proficiency in English (or Irish).
- Traveling passport and complete copies of all previous passports if any.
- Proof of having enough funds for your studies and upkeep during the duration of your program.
- If there is a sponsor, They must prove they are capable.
- Proof of fee payment to the college.
- Evidence of your academic eligibility to undertake the course in an Irish School.
- Medical Insurance.
- Documentation accounting for any gaps in your educational history, if applicable.
- Proof of fee payment to the college.
Costs of Obtaining the Ireland Student Visa
For applications submitted, the visa fee is charged in the local currency equivalent to €60 for a single-entry visa or €100 for a multi-entry visa. This applies to both short and long-term visas. The fee is non-refundable.
How to obtain Ireland Student Visa
Below provides the step-by-step instructions to obtain a study visa for students going to Ireland for studies:
1. Find an Irish school and apply for admission
Students must first apply for admission into any recognized Irish university or college, get an acceptance letter, take an English test proving that they meet the language requirement, and make the necessary payments before proceeding to the next phase.
The documents or paper certifying payments and the letter of acceptance from the school must be submitted during the visa application.
2. Apply for the Irish Study Visa for Foreign Students
Before beginning, one key instruction you should get is never to submit fake documents or misleading information as that may cause your visa to be rejected. Applications are thoroughly reviewed.
Complete the Ireland student visa application online. Follow the instructions on the generated Application Form.
You will need to submit all the necessary documents and remember to sign and submit the printed Application Form along with your supporting documents.
Take note of ‘Short Stay (C)’ and ‘Short Stay (C)’ when applying. If you are studying for less than 3 months as already stated, it will be C but if more, you will have to go for D. As part of the process, you might be required to provide your biometric information. A non-refundable application fee of €60 will be charged.
The processing time is usually up to 3 months and could be just a month depending on the period. If your visa application was refused, you can appeal the decision but that will depend on the refusal notification you received.
Entering the country
After obtaining your study visa, you will be able to travel to Ireland for your studies. You still need to provide all the documents you used during the online application to the immigration officer. They will need to go through it to confirm nothing is off.
After checking that everything is satisfactory, you will be authorized to enter the country.
The next step will be getting your residence permit. You must register with the local immigration officer in the area you intend to live (Dublin’s Burgh Quay Registration Office if residing in Dublin) upon your arrival.
Can I Work With an Ireland Student Visa?
Yes, international students are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week when school session is ongoing and up to 40 hours when on break. This will also depend on some conditions
If you received a Stamp 2 in your passport on your Student Visa, you can work. It’s important to check your given Stamp to make sure you’re following the rules.
