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Visas to visit the Republic of Ireland

 

It is important to check if you require a visa to visit Ireland for study or as a tourist.

In general, students visiting Ireland from and travelling with a passport issued in European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries do not require a visa to enter the country.
 
Ireland does not require that passport holders of a number of other countries obtain a visa before arrival (click here for a list of countries that do not require visas to land in Ireland).
 
If your country is not on this list it may be necessary for you to obtain a visa before you travel. You should contact your nearest Irish Embassy. We have included some information below which may help you, which is organised as follows:

You may also be able to apply for an Irish Visa using the AVATS online application service of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). This service is available to people in these countries. You should check that you need a visa and read the application instructions (in English or other languages) before proceeding.

Please make sure that you check the most recent information with the relevant authorities.
 

Applying for an Irish Student Visa

To apply for an Irish student visa you must be able to show the authorities that:

  • You are enrolled on a privately funded course involving at least 15 hours of organised daytime tuition each week
  • You have paid the requisite fees to the college
  • You have the academic ability to follow your chosen course
  • You have immediate access to at least €7,000. This is the estimated cost of living in Ireland for a student for one academic year
  • You have private medical insurance
  • You can account for any gaps in your educational history
  • Your intention is to return to your country of permanent residence following completion of your studies in Ireland

 

 

 

 

Time to Apply for a Visa

 

Applying for a visa will take some time. It is important that you allow this time when making flight, course or accommodation bookings.

 

  • The processing times for student visa applications vary depending on the volume of applications lodged, and the time it takes for an application to reach the visa section in Dublin from the embassy in which it was lodged
  • You should allow as much time as possible when applying for a visa but a minimum time of 8 weeks is recommended
  • The visa section will endeavour to have your application assessed as soon as possible
  • Visa decisions are published weekly on the website – www.inis.gov.ie. You can check a decision by entering the Visa Reference Number that issues to you

 

 

 

Successful Visa Applications

 

If your application is successful you will be issued with a visa to enter Ireland.
Arriving in Ireland

 

  • The issuing embassy to which you applied will place a visa on your passport
  • The dates entered on your visa indicate the dates between which you may seek to enter the state
  • It is important to note that a visa is a form of pre-entry clearance to the state only, and does not guarantee that you will be permitted to enter or remain in the state
  • Immigration Officers at the point of entry are entitled to question any person on arrival. If they are not satisfied with the bona-fides of any person, or their reasons for wishing to enter the state, they have the right to deny entry to any such person, despite the fact they hold a valid visa
  • It is recommended that you have supporting documentation related to your course of study with you to present to the Immigration Officer on disembarkation from your flight

 

 

 

Attending your Course

  • If you have been granted a study visa on the basis that you will attend school/college you must take in a course which involves at least 15 hours of organised daytime tuition each week
  • It will be necessary for you to show evidence of your attendance record to the Garda National Immigration Bureau when seeking to have your permission to remain in the state extended
  • If you do not show a satisfactory attendance rate at your course you will not be entitled to remain in the state

 

 

 

Registration and Permission to Remain

  • Extensions of your permission to remain in the State to pursue your studies will only be granted if the Immigration Officer is satisfied with matters such as your level of attendance at your course, evidence of your accommodation, finances and medical insurance

  • Permission to remain in the State is not usually granted for a period of more than a total of 18 months unless the student is attending a full time course of at least one year’s duration leading to qualifications recognised by the Minister for Education and Science.
  • If you intend staying in Ireland for more than 90 days, it is a requirement that you register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). There is a charge of €150 each time you register

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