Visa information Ireland, Irish Visa Requirements, Study Visas for Ireland

DO I NEED A VISA?

Before you can start your registration, you need to check if you require a Visa. Non-EU citizens can check the Non-Visa Required Countries list.

Passport-holders of any countries listed do NOT require a visa prior to travelling to Ireland. Student visas are issued within the state of Ireland within 30 days of arrival.

If your country is not listed on the Non-Visa Required Countries list, you need to apply for a visa prior to travelling to Ireland.

• I am an Irish/EU Student or already a resident in Ireland – NO VISA REQUIRED AT ANY STAGE
  If you are an Irish or EU Student or already a resident in Ireland you do not require a visa, and you can apply directly to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• I am an overseas student who requires a visa prior to travelling to Ireland –APPLY FOR YOUR VISA IN ADVANCE
  If you are a passport-holder of a country NOT listed, then you must apply to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with scanned copies of your academic transcripts, passport and Curriculum Vitae. Please see below for the list of required documents and other additional steps needed for you application.

• I am an overseas student who does not require a Visa prior to travelling to Ireland –APPLY FOR YOUR STUDENT VISA IN IRELAND
  If you are a passport-holder for one of the countries listed you do not need to apply for a visa before you arrive. See below for information on how to apply for your visa after you arrive.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR MY VISA IN ADVANCE?

Passport-holders of a country NOT listed on the Non-Visa Required Countries list List need to apply for a visa in advance of travelling to Ireland.

Common countries that must apply for their visa in advance are, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Vietnam, Thailand or Egypt, If you are unsure if you must apply for a visa in advance of travelling to Ireland, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for clarification.

The first things that you need to consider, are reading the visa guidelines available at http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Students

Once you have read the visa guidelines, you will be in a better position to start compiling your visa application.

The main conditions that you will need to satisfy in your visa application are:

• A Letter of Acceptance from the college, confirming you have been accepted and enrolled on a course of full-time day-time education
• You must have proof that fees have been paid to the college. Where your fees are below €6,000, the full amount of the fees must be paid in advance.
• You must have access to €3,000 at first registration. This is in addition to your course fees.
• All students are required to have private medical insurance, either personally or through a group scheme operated by your college, at time of registration in accordance with the conditions set out below regarding private medical insurance.
• You must be able to demonstrate adequate living expenses of €7,000 either from your personal savings or from a sponsor (e.g. a parent)
• Evidence of private medical insurance either through the group scheme at the college, or through your own means
• Proof of your intentions to return to your country after you have finished your studies in Ireland
• An explanation of any gaps in your educational history
• 2 Passport Sized Photos

Applications must be made in English. If you can satisfy all of the requirements above, you can go ahead and apply for your visa. You can seek advice through the Irish Embassy for your country. Ireland has embassies all over the world, but in some cases, you may have to use an Irish Embassy that is not in your home country (e.g. Mauritian students must use the embassy in South Africa).

You apply through the portal www.visas.inis.gov.ie and may be required to present documentation to your local embassy or affiliate office in your country.

Please check the following websites for further documentation that may be required from your country:
China
India
Nigeria
Russia
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR MY VISA IN IRELAND FOR THE FIRST TIME?

My country is on the Non-Visa Required Countries list. You are free to travel to Ireland without gaining permission in advance. You will need to bring some documents with you for when you arrive at Dublin Airport. These are:

• Your College Acceptance Letter and Receipt of Fees
• Your Passport
• Your Medical Insurance Details
• You need to have immediate access to €3000 upon arrival in the state e.g. a lodgement in an Irish Bank Account or Travel Visa Money (Travellers Cheque)
• Details of where you will be staying in your first few weeks in Dublin (i.e. host family/student accommodation/hotel)

Once you have entered Ireland, you will be granted 30 days permission to go to the GNIB office (Immigration Office) located in Dublin City Centre, to obtain your Student Visa. You will take your documentation to GNIB, where you will be issued with a GNIB Card, allowing you to study and work in the Republic of Ireland.

ALREADY IN IRELAND AND NEED A VISA RENEWAL?

If you are transferring to IBAT College from another College in Ireland, you may need to renew your visa before you start your course or during your programme.

If you need to renew your visa before your course starts, please inform the admissions officer at the point of enrolment. The admissions officer will ensure that your renewal letter is forwarded on to GNIB. You also need to make sure that you request an exit letter from your previous college, which states your attendance. Please ensure that your medical insurance is up to date, or order more medical insurance at the time of your enrolment.

If your visa is due to expire during your course, please log-on to your Moodle page through the student portal. You can order this renewal letter by pressing the ‘Student Letter Request’ option.  Once your request has been received, the administration team will deliver the letter to GNIB the following Friday. It is advisable to order your letter at least 10 days in advance.